Evaluating the dimensions of religion
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of Ninian Smart’s dimensions in the study of religion.
Key learning points
- Smart's dimensions of religion can be applied to theistic and non-theistic worldviews.
- Smart also applied the dimensions to secular worldviews, e.g. nationalism.
- There are strengths and weaknesses to his approach.
- One main criticism is that the dimensions present a reductionist view of religion.
Keywords
Dimensions - for Smart, these are the different aspects or parts that make up a religion
Reductionist - a criticism that something is being shown in too simple a way; ‘reduced’ down
Secular - not to do with religion or religious ideas/beliefs
Worldview - the way someone understands, interprets and inhabits the world
Common misconception
That Smart believed the dimensions were all that was needed to study religion and no other discipline or approach.
For Smart, these were a starting point, a 'way in' to studying religions and that other disciplines and approaches were still needed for a full understanding.
Teacher tip
Humanism has not been covered in this lesson. Students could research Humanism and see if or how it displays the dimensions and to what extent.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Traditionally, theology and philosophy asked ...
Q2.Ninian Smart promoted a study of religion.
Q3.A phenomenological approach focuses on ...
Q4.Understanding experience builds ...
Q5.Which is one of Smart’s dimensions?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword to its meaning:
Q2.Why did Ninian Smart create the dimensions?
Q3.Ninian Smart used as a secular example.
Q4.One strength of Ninian Smart’s model is that it ...
Q5.One criticism of Ninian Smart's model is that it is ...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Evaluating the dimensions of religion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Evaluating the dimensions of religion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Belief: what is religion and does everyone understand it in the same way? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.