Beliefs, Symbolism and Religion within Contemporary Societies
UndergraduateMUR-SOC2062027
Course information for 2027 intake
Belief reaches beyond formal religion into everyday culture. Examine faith, ritual and symbols across sport, popular culture and workplaces. See how they connect with politics, identity, consumerism and secular life.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 14 Feb 2027
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 15 weeks
- Start dates
- 22 Feb 2027
- Price from
- $2,257
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Beliefs, Symbolism and Religion within Contemporary Societies
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Analyse the role of religious and non-religious belief systems in shaping social norms, institutions, and individual identities in the contemporary age.
- Critically evaluate sociological theories of religion and belief and apply them to contemporary contexts, including secular and consumer culture.
- Interpret the symbolic and ritual dimensions of belief systems and practices across diverse cultures.
- Examine how belief systems intersect with structures of power, politics, gender, race, and consumerism.
- Reflect on their own positionality in relation to belief systems and religious diversity.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject explores the role of belief systems, religious symbols, and spiritual practices in shaping how contemporary societies are formed, and what it feels like to live within them. Students will engage with classic and contemporary sociological theories of religion and belief, considering the relevance of faith, ritual, myth, and symbolism in both institutional and everyday contexts. We examine sport as religion and Taylor Swift as a contemporary figure of quasi-religious significance. We examine what belief systems, symbols, and practices permeate the modern workplace, and break down why understanding these can make you a more robust professional prepared for the future of work. Through case studies from diverse cultures and traditions, the subject interrogates the intersections between religion, belief, politics, identity, consumerism, and secularism. Special emphasis is placed on understanding how beliefs are maintained, contested, and transformed in the rapid world of twenty-first century living.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
- Reflective Essay (25%)
- Case Study Presentation (35%)
- Curated Exhibition (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Choose a brighter future and explore your possibilities as a Murdoch University student today.
This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research.
With more than 25,000 students and 2,400 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.
Learn more about Murdoch University
Explore Murdoch University courses
- QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 24
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 26
Entry requirements
Others
To enrol in this subject, you must have passed a minimum of 12 credit points at 100-level.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMUR-COM-DEG
UndergraduateMUR-BAR-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.