Religion, Philosophy and Ethics BA (Hons)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
This comprehensive program delves into religious traditions, philosophical ideas, and ethical values, examining their influence on the world today. Through diverse modules, field trips, and engagement with local communities, students develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills, preparing them for careers in education, the public sector, the third sector, and further study.
Program Outline
Outline
This section outlines the key elements of the course content, program structure, individual modules, and course schedule.
Course Content and Structure:
This course delves into various religious traditions, philosophical ideas, and ethical values. It examines how these shape and influence the world today. Students will critically engage with:
- World religions
- Emergent spiritualities
- Philosophy - from the Greeks to transhumanism
- Ethical theories The course provides an in-depth understanding of how these ideas have influenced the past and their role in shaping the future. Students will explore the connections between these ideas and contemporary issues, including social justice, environment, politics, race, and gender. The program emphasizes fieldwork and engagement beyond the classroom. Students participate in:
- National and international field trips
- Working with local charities and communities committed to social justice
Individual Modules:
The program offers a diverse range of modules. Here's an example of some options:
- Digital Humanities (HM4003): Explores digital humanities, covering social media, Google, YouTube, Facebook, surveillance capitalism, cybercrime, cybercurrencies, algorithms, AR and VI, tech and borders, race, gender, and sexuality.
- Philosophical Arguments (HM4511): Introduction to philosophy, investigating key problems like freedom, God's existence, and scientific explanation. Students encounter renowned philosophers like Plato, Descartes, Kant, and Marx.
- Ethical Engagements (HM4512): In this module, students explore ethical issues and theories, applying their knowledge to contemporary ethical and political concerns.
- The Greeks (HM4514): Acquaints students with significant ideas and concerns of Western philosophy from its birth. Students study the pre-Socratics' writings and Plato's Republic.
- New and Non-Religious Movements (HM4517): Explores the diversity of New Religious Movements alongside the impact of New Atheism and Humanism. Themes like counter-culture, easternisation, cultural appropriation, and post colonialism are prominent. Students engage with various religious and non-religious expressions.
- Contemporary Religious Landscapes (HM4518): Examines contemporary issues impacting religions in the world, exploring global developments and movements within the UK context. Students engage with local religious traditions like Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist communities.
- Global Religions (HM4519): Introduces major global religions and academic disciplines and methodologies of religious studies. Each religion is examined in its contemporary and historical context, including key beliefs, texts, traditions, and history.
- Research and Enquiry (HM5001): Helps students develop research skills through investigation and research in key arts and humanities disciplines and industries.
- Science, Technology, and Society (HM5002): Explores the relationship between science, technology, and society, including its historical development, social impact, and ethical considerations.
- Engaging Humanities (HM5002): Presents an opportunity for students to explore the contributions of Humanities subjects within their socio-economic, cultural, and ecological contexts. Students gain insight into their own roles and explore ways to address contemporary challenges. The program also offers modules on topics such as:
- Philosophy as a Way of Life (HM5510)
- Dharma: Tradition and Modernity (HM5511)
- Islamic Politics and Philosophy (HM5512)
- Christianity: Narrative Theology (HM5513)
- European Intellectual History: 1600-1900 (HM6413)
- Emergent Spiritualities (HM6502)
- Beyond Good and Evil (HM6510)
- Buddhism from Gotama to Mindfulness (HM6511)
- Philosophy and Literature (HM6515)
- Food, Sex and Death (HM6516)
Course Schedule:
Students typically take modules in semesters, with each semester focusing on specific areas of study. The schedule allows for in-depth engagement with each module and provides opportunities for continuous learning.
Assessment
This section provides insight into how student learning is evaluated.
Assessment Methods:
Students' understanding of the material is assessed through various methods, including:
- Essays: Students demonstrate their ability to critically analyze complex ideas and present them in a well-written format.
- Assignments: Students tackle specific tasks related to course content, allowing them to showcase their knowledge and research skills.
- Portfolios: Students compile collections of work that demonstrate their progress and understanding of various topics.
- Examinations: Students take written exams to assess their understanding of key concepts, theories, and historical events.
- Presentations: Students present their research findings or engage in group discussions on specific topics, demonstrating their communication and critical thinking skills.
Assessment Criteria:
Assessment criteria vary depending on the module and assessment method. However, some common elements include:
- Content knowledge: Demonstrating a thorough understanding of the subject matter, including key theories, concepts, and historical figures.
- Critical analysis: Ability to critically analyze and evaluate information, arguments, and ideas.
- Research skills: Capacity to conduct independent research, gather evidence, and present it effectively.
- Writing and communication skills: Writing clearly and persuasively, expressing ideas logically and effectively.
- Presentation skills: Ability to deliver clear and engaging presentations that demonstrate a strong understanding of the material. Students receive detailed feedback on their assessments, enabling them to improve their understanding and refine their skills.
Teaching
This section explores the teaching methods, faculty, and unique approaches employed in the program.
Teaching Methods:
The program uses various teaching methods to create a stimulating learning environment, including:
- Lectures: Lecturers present core concepts and theories, providing students with a foundation for further exploration.
- Seminars: Smaller group discussions allow for in-depth engagement with specific topics, fostering critical thinking and debate.
- Workshops: Interactive sessions focus on developing specific skills, such as research, writing, and presentation skills.
- Field trips: On-site experiences provide students with firsthand exposure to diverse religious traditions, cultural practices, and historical sites.
- Guest speakers: Experts in relevant fields share their insights and perspectives, enriching students' understanding of the subject matter.
Faculty:
The program boasts experienced and passionate faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. They bring diverse perspectives and research interests to the classroom, fostering a stimulating and engaging learning environment.
- Dr. Martin Wood: Course Leader and lecturer specializing in Hinduism and Buddhism. His research focuses on contemporary Hindu movements.
- Professor Melanie Ilic: Professor of Soviet History.
- Associate Professor William Large: Associate Professor specializing in Continental Philosophy.
- Senior Lecturer Martin Randall: Senior Lecturer with expertise in various areas of philosophy and ethics.
- Lecturer Benjamin Trubody: Lecturer in Philosophy.
- Part-Time Academic Staff Georgina Jardim: Part-time academic staff member contributing to the program. The faculty is committed to creating a supportive learning environment and providing students with the guidance and mentorship they need to succeed.
Unique Approaches:
The program incorporates unique approaches to enhance student learning and engagement:
- Focus on student-centered and research-led teaching: This approach encourages active participation, critical thinking, and independent exploration of ideas.
- Small seminar groups: Smaller groups foster personal interaction with faculty and facilitate engaging discussions.
- Variety of field trips and placements: Direct engagement with different cultures and communities provides invaluable learning experiences.
- Strong emphasis on developing critical thinking, research, and communication skills: These skills are essential for future success in various career paths.
Careers
This section explores career opportunities and outcomes for graduates of the program.
Potential Career Paths:
Graduates of the program are well-equipped for diverse career paths, including:
- Education: Teachers, lecturers, educational researchers.
- Public Sector: Civil servants, policy advisors, social workers.
- Third Sector: Working with NGOs, charities, and community organizations.
- Further Study: Postgraduate studies in related fields like theology, philosophy, ethics, history, and social sciences.
Career Outcomes:
The program equips graduates with valuable skills and knowledge, preparing them for a range of exciting career opportunities.
- Critical thinking: Ability to analyze complex issues and propose solutions.
- Research and analysis skills: Capacity to conduct thorough research, gather and interpret data, and draw evidence-based conclusions.
Tuition Fees and Payment Information:
Start date
|
- --|---|---|---|---|---|---| Sep 2024 | Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham | VV65 | £9,250 | £16,600 | TBC | TBC International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
