Introduction to the Study of Religion provides an overview of the different methodological approaches to the study of religion. You will study the main attempts to define religion and to engage in the debates surrounding such definitions. You will engage in multi-disciplinary approaches to the idea of religion through the traditional fields of historical, anthropological, philosophical, sociological and textual studies. In addition, you will examine religion in more contemporary fields such as the visual arts, politics, environmentalism, psychology and gender.

Introduction to the Sacred provides you with an opportunity to analyse concepts such as ‘religious experience’, ‘spirituality’, ‘revelation’ and ‘Mysticism’. The module draws on studies in psychology, anthropology, theology, esoteric philosophy and a range of wisdom traditions. It will provide you with a framework in which to investigate non-rational forms of knowing and the epistemology of religious experience.

Eastern Dharma provides you with a philosophical and theological survey of the significant religious traditions of the east. You will focus on the Dharmic traditions emanating from India as the modules addresses the central aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. You will also examine the interaction between individuals and communities in diverse and complex religious settings both globally and in modern Britain.

Abrahamic Traditions provides you with a philosophical and theological survey of the significant religious traditions of the west, introducing the three major Abrahamic traditions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. By looking at core beliefs, practices and texts, the module examines key developments and shared aspects of the formation of the Abrahamic Traditions up to modern times. The module will also investigate the concept of a shared ‘Abrahamic Tradition’ and explore key similarities and differences between the three faiths through an exploration of selected themes such as ‘the Oneness of God’, ‘Salvation’ and ‘the Afterlife”.

Digital Religion equips you with an appreciation and understanding of religious practice in new media worlds, including digital religion and social media settings. The module offers a comprehensive analysis of how age old religions and traditions operate and are recast in the contemporary digital culture in which we live. You will examine how new technologies influence and impact upon religious practice and also consider accessibility, the emergence of online religious identities and communities, and the interface between believers and digital technology. You will encounter questions related to religious authority, authenticity, community and ritual online.

Religion in the Workplace immerses you in the UK Equalities Act (2010) which recognises religion as a protected characteristic. In equality law, religion includes any religion and also no religion, meaning that employees or jobseekers are protected if they do not follow a certain religion or have no religion at all. Religious literacy is therefore an essential attribute to employability. On this module, you will explore the interface of religion, philosophy and ethics within workplace settings. These include, but are not limited to, the National Health Service (NHS), the civil service, journalism, teaching, marketing, banking, charity work, law, religious ministries, chaplaincy, and social, youth and community settings. These settings reflect the wide range of employment options available to graduates, and the intention is for you to think about your career options as well as gaining valuable work experience.

Ethnography: Living with Religions draws upon the academic heritage of post-war religious studies and interpretative qualitative research. The module requires you to critically engage with religion as it is lived and experienced by practitioners. It presents religion as a plural and complex reality shaping the beliefs, practices and lifestyles of human beings locally and globally. You will explore the theory and practice of the critical study of religion through consideration of methodologies such as ethnography, phenomenology, post positivism and related ethical issues such as ‘representation’ in the field of the empirical study of religion. You will take part in a three day ethnographically oriented field work investigation to explore the practices of a religious community.

The Bible in the Modern World introduces you to the various ways that biblical themes, images and characters have an enduring presence and influence within contemporary popular culture. By learning to analyse religious and biblical references found in music, film, TV, art, advertising and the media, you will discover that, even in today’s increasingly secular world, the Bible continues to both influence and be influenced by our cultural, political, and religious landscapes. You will explore key themes and passages in the Bible as a contemporary literary work and consider how it is used by society at large as a cultural artefact. You will explore how the Bible has been used by entertainers, politicians and others, assessing on the one hand how this has shaped Western society, while at the same time people’s understanding and interpretations of the Bible are shaped by popular culture.

Religion in the Public Sphere recognises that religion has global social and political significance and influence. This module explores the intersection of religion as a living practice which shapes the lives of communities and individuals at a local, national and international level. You will explore some of the major debates about the role of religion in public life, through case studies of key issues, debate and discussion about the contested role of religion as an enduring force in the twenty first century. Issues of religious citizenship, the role of religion in welfare, and the relationship between race and religion will be explored in the context of a globalising and unstable geopolitical environment.

Religion and Culture explores the cultural influences of religion in everyday recreational activities, such as literature, sport, drama, dance, art, theatre, film and music. You will explore how religion has been a source for creative exploration in such contexts and investigate how religion has been communicated, represented, interpreted and critiqued across arts and sports. Further investigation will also be undertaken of the impact that religion has on society and culture by exploring and examining your own leisure interests.

Religion and the Body offers an overview of how bodies have been celebrated, disciplined and modified in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other spiritualities. Examining how bodies take on and perform religious practices, the module also explores how such presentations are conceptualised and represented in society and culture, including the media. The very nature of religious study, often tackled in terms of sacred texts, traditions and artefacts, is reshaped when the messy flesh and bone of human existence is examined. Moreover, the module engages with intersections of the human body, including youth/ageing, race/ethnicity, ability/disability and fat studies.

Religion, Belief and Reason provides you with an introduction to some of the key debates in critical thinking that have shaped religious and atheistic thought. Perspectives from philosophy, psychology and critical social sciences will be investigated to provide you with the lens through which to explore the relationship between reason and religious belief. You will develop your critical thinking skills through an exploration of the central premises of theistic belief, reasoned philosophical argument in defence and in critique of religious belief through examination of the classical and modern versions of theistic proofs. You will consider the contributions of thinkers such as Aquinas, Kant, Descartes and Hume. The module also explores the contributions of psychoanalysis and social science to post-Enlightenment thinking about religion in order to consider claims about the irrational or ideological nature of religion.

Judaism presents Judaism as a fascinating historical religion which has a variety of forms of expression in modern society. An understanding of Judaism as the foundational, Abrahamic, monotheistic faith is a fundamental pre-requisite of studying religion in the West.  You will explore religious thought within Judaism in order to understand its integrity and diversity and grasp its integrative role in relation to lifestyles, practices and ethics. You will also analyse the historical, social, philosophical, cultural and artistic role of Judaism in diverse contexts. The module provides perspectives of both practitioners and non-practioners of Judaism, as well as exploring the tradition as plural, diverse, dynamic and evolving.

British Buddhism investigates Buddhism as both ancient and modern, global and local. The three jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha provide the lens through which Buddhism will be explored, enabling you to develop critical knowledge and understanding of Buddhist history, doctrine and practice. A variety of traditional and modern sources will be explored including sutras, biographies of the Buddha and iconography. Investigation of contemporary forms of Buddhism provide a special focus linked to a small scale fieldwork study exploring pluralism within modern western Buddhism.

Issues in Contemporary Islam recognises that with competing constructs of Islam dominating the domestic and international news agenda, a thorough understanding of the complex issues facing Islam is an essential aspect of religious education. A range of popular, stereotypical images come to mind when considering Islam in its contemporary setting. Questions raised about Islam often parallel similar questions raised globally among Muslims themselves about the decline of Islam and its place in the modern world. This is especially true of questions around the nature of the modern secular state and the degree to which religion has a role within it, both in Muslim majority societies and those in which Muslims constitute a minority. This module draws upon empirical research and a wide range of critical literature to enable you to develop an in-depth and critically reflective awareness of the challenging issues that have impacted upon Muslims through recent history.

Specialist Research Project in Religion provides an opportunity to reflect upon and expand your research skills through an introduction to research methods and methodology in religious studies and the completion of an extended research project. Following a number of masterclass-style lectures and tutorials on research methodology, as shown through the research conducted within the department, you will be supported in undertaking an independent piece of research which can be either conceptual or empirical. At the end of the module, you will present your research to an undergraduate seminar organised by the department in a form suitable for publication in a departmental undergraduate research journal.

Gender, Sexuality and Christianity sensitively grapples with the issues of gender and sexuality within the Christian traditions. Exploring feminist and queer theologies, you will explore the complex relationship between Christianity and gender and sexuality. The justification for the churches’ positional statements about gender and sexuality are often grounded in traditional readings of scripture. This has led to questions of inclusivity of the churches. The module is informed by voices which have historically been marginalised, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex, offering a platform which demonstrates the ability for such stigmatised and silenced voices to think theologically about their own experiences.

Contemporary Paganisms equips you with an understanding of various branches of Paganism and an awareness of some of its basic principles. The module examines how social media may influence and impact practices and accessibility and offers the opportunity to question various Pagan myths. You will encounter questions related to religious authority, authenticity, community and ritual and explore how Pagan identities are formed.

Challenges and Controversies in Religion recognises that contemporary society has seen the rise of a number of challenges to religion and religions. In a philosophical sense this includes the challenges of secularism, extremism, modernity and post-modernity. The module acknowledges the global nature of these challenges and focuses on religion and controversial issues. It will deepen your appreciation of the value of an ethnographic approach in understanding public controversies through case studies. The aim is to examine live issues that are being publicly aired during the academic year.

104-112 UCAS Tariff points are required to join this programme with effect from September 2020 entry.

The title of this programme has changed from BA (Hons) Religion, Culture and Society to BA (Hons) Religion.