BA Programme Theology or Religious Studies (Single and Combined Honours): Level 3

Programme Outline:

The process of continuing development, deepening knowledge and increasing skill, continues to occur as students move from level 2 to 3.

Mandatory modules:

All Single Honours students from both pathways, and all Combined Honours students combining Theology and Religious Studies, must take:

  • Individual Study, a dissertation of 8000 words written under the guidance of a tutor, enables the student to develop sophisticated powers of analysis, criticism and investigation by personally researching and composing an extended piece of work, the topic to be consonant with the pathway the student is pursuing. The dissertation is supported by a 2000 word portfolio which allows scope for diagnostic work (e.g., bibliographical reports), and further reflection on graduate skills appropriate to this level (i.e., academic literacies).

All Theology pathway students (Single Honours and Combined Honours) take:

  • Systematic Theology develops systematic understanding of the range and complexity of Christian doctrine by a critical reading of one doctrine (Trinity; cross; Holy Spirit; Church; or human nature) in relation to: sophisticated background in the Bible and tradition; key areas of detailed, critical knowledge and understanding; authority and truth questions; method and hermeneutical questions; doctrine as a whole.

 All Religious Studies pathway students, Single Honours and Combined Honours, normally take:

  • Religions in the Contemporary World fosters a detailed understanding of modern and emerging new religious movements, and critically explores ideological, political and social implications.

Option Modules:

These mandatory modules are consolidated by a range of option modules, each of which functions at the same level of knowledge and skill as the level 3 mandatory modules. All options offered in any year are open to all students from either pathway, Theology or Religious Studies, SH or CH. The Department does not guarantee that all validated options are available every year.

  • Christian Reformation furnishes a detailed, sophisticated, and critical understanding of religious thought in the reformation period, critically locating the writings of selected theologians of the sixteenth century as they embraced or rejected contemporary developments in the humanities, spirituality, and doctrine.
  • Church and Society in the New Testament develops sophisticated critical awareness by studying how the current application of theoretical models from sociology and anthropology to the New Testament may be informed or challenged by detailed historical-critical study of the ancient context and of a range of New Testament texts to which scholars currently apply social-scientific methodologies.
  • Classical Christian Mysticism develops critical knowledge and sophisticated understanding of the origins and development of the Christian mystical tradition through the critical study of religious, philosophical and doctrinal issues arising in primary texts and modern treatments.

  • Judaism after the Holocaust enables students to evaluate the impact of the Holocaust on modern Jewish identity by studying Jewish theological responses to the Shoah and examining the commemoration and representation of the Holocaust in museums, art, literature, film.

  • Modern Critiques of Religion develops a sophisticated understanding of the multi-disciplinary character of religious studies by critically assessing anthropological, psychological, philosophical and sociological criticism of religions. Topics include the rise of atheism, Nietzsche's assertion that 'God is Dead', evil and suffering, and Marx, Feuerbach and Freud on religion.

  • Old Testament Theology provides a critical analysis of theological themes in the Old Testament.

  • Practical and Pastoral Theology fosters a critical and detailed knowledge of issues of contextualized faith, pastoral care, and Christian ministry.

  • Religion and Literature develops systematic understanding of the similarities and differences between academic method in religion, theology, and modern literature, exploring the complex relationship between author and reader to enable sophisticated critical appreciation of literary theory, imagination and poetics.

  • Religion and Visual Culture develops systematic understanding of the complexity of different approaches to religious representation in visual media, exploring art, cinema and film and artistic representation in selected religious traditions, employing relevant hermeneutical tools and critically engaging other relevant academic disciplines.
  • Tibetan Buddhism builds critical understanding of a range of approaches and methods towards Eastern religious thought and practice as found in the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism. Key features such as philosophy, Tantra and religious history and literature are placed in the context of both the Indo-Tibetan and Sino-Tibetan culture.