Studies of Religion II

Units: 2 units, compulsory for all ATAR-pathway students in Year 11 and Year 12 (Board Developed)
Exclusions: Studies of Religion I
Pre-requisites: Nil for entry to Year 11; a grade of B or higher at the end of Year 11 is required to continue in the 2-unit course in Year 12, which will be scheduled as after-school classes
Group: Common to all students — Studied by every student on the ATAR Pathway

Syllabus in use · Current syllabus (2009) — new syllabus in development

The Academy currently teaches the Studies of Religion Stage 6 Syllabus (2009). NESA is developing a new Studies of Religion 11–12 syllabus as part of the ongoing NSW Curriculum Reform program; a draft was released for consultation in late 2026. The current 2009 syllabus remains in place for the Year 11 2027 cohort, and this information will be updated once an implementation date for the new syllabus is confirmed.

Course description

Studies of Religion promotes understanding and critical awareness of the nature and significance of religion, and the influence of belief systems and religious traditions on individuals and within society.

Course structure

Year 11 Preliminary · 2027

The Nature of Religion and Beliefs
Three Religious Tradition Studies: Christianity, Judaism and Islam
Religions of Ancient Origin
Religion in Australia pre-1945

Year 12 HSC · 2028

Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-1945
Three Religious Tradition Depth Studies: Christianity, Judaism and Islam
Religion and Peace
Religion and Non-religion

Students who should consider this course

This course suits students with an interest in religion, history, anthropology, philosophy or psychology, and is particularly useful preparation for university study in history, politics, philosophy, psychology or sociology.

School-based assessment components

Component	Weighting %
Knowledge and understanding of course content	40
Source-based skills	20
Investigation and research	20
Communication of information, ideas and issues in appropriate forms	20

HSC examination

The HSC examination consists of a written paper worth 100 marks. Only one school-based assessment task may be a formal written examination, and in Year 12 the maximum weighting for that task is 30%.

Subject presentation

Slide 1 of 14Use ← → keys, or click a slide

AIA Strathfield — Studies of Religion II Subject Selection presentation (Religion Department).

Text transcript of the slides (14 slides)

Slide 1

A two-unit HSC course for understanding religion, people and society
AIA Strathfield · Year 10 Subject Selection 2027

Slide 2

Religion shapes how people understand the world

SOR II examines religion as a living force — not simply a list of beliefs.
Meaning — how people answer life’s biggest questions.
Identity — how beliefs influence belonging and practice.
Society — how traditions interact with culture, law and change.

Slide 3

SOR II is a full two-unit Board Developed Course

2 units, studied across Year 11 and Year 12.
No prerequisite — you do not need to have studied an elective religion course.
Board Developed — the course has an external HSC examination.
Three traditions — a deeper comparative study than SOR I.

Slide 4

Year 11 builds the foundations (120 indicative hours)

Nature of Religion and Beliefs — 16 hours
Three Religious Traditions — 66 hours
Religions of Ancient Origin — 22 hours
Religion in Australia pre-1945 — 16 hours
The largest share is devoted to depth studies of three religious traditions.

Slide 5

At AIA, three traditions anchor the comparison

Judaism
Christianity
Islam

Slide 6

Each tradition is studied through the same five lenses

Origins
Principal beliefs
Sacred texts and writings
Core ethical teachings
Personal devotion and observance

Slide 7

Year 12 applies that knowledge to contemporary issues

Australia post-1945 — multiculturalism, Aboriginal spiritualities and changing religious expression.
Depth studies — significant people and ideas, ethics and significant practices.
Religion and peace — how two traditions understand and contribute to peace.
Religion and non-religion — new religious expression and non-religious worldviews.

Slide 8

Every Year 12 depth study follows three lines of inquiry

Significant people and ideas — study one influential person or school of thought, their contribution and lasting impact.
Ethical teachings — apply the tradition’s ethics to one area: bioethics, environmental ethics or sexual ethics.
Significant practices — examine one practice and explain its importance for both individuals and the wider community.
These three elements are studied in each of the three selected religious traditions.

Slide 9

Learning is active, analytical and connected to real life

Interpret sacred and contemporary sources.
Research people, ideas and ethical issues.
Discuss competing perspectives respectfully.
Write evidence-based short and extended responses.
Learn through visits, guest speakers and case studies.
You will be expected to think — not just memorise.

Slide 10

Assessment rewards four connected capabilities

Knowledge and understanding — 40%
Source-based skills — 20%
Investigation and research — 20%
Communication — 20%
Strong performance combines accurate knowledge with clear use of evidence.

Slide 11

School assessment is varied and manageable

Year 11 — NESA sample: 3 formal tasks, including a written examination; recommended individual task weighting 20–40%.
Year 12 — NESA sample: 4 formal tasks, including a written examination; formal written examination maximum 30%.
Exact AIA tasks and weightings will be published in the course assessment schedule.

Slide 12

The HSC exam is structured and predictable

3 hours plus 5 minutes reading time · 100 marks.
Section I (30 marks) — Australia post-1945 and Religion and Non-Religion.
Section II (30 marks) — two short-answer depth-study questions.
Section III (20 marks) — one extended response on a different tradition.
Section IV (20 marks) — extended response: Religion and Peace.

Slide 13

SOR II suits students who are ready to…

read closely
write clearly
research carefully
compare perspectives
discuss respectfully
revise consistently
You do not need to know everything about religion before you begin.

Slide 14

The decision

Choose SOR II if you want to understand belief — and its impact on the world — with depth and evidence.
Ask yourself: am I curious enough to investigate, disciplined enough to write, and open enough to compare?