Religion, Culture & Society Masters - MA

Program Overview

The MA in Religion, Culture and Society combines theology, philosophy, and social sciences to explore the impact of religion on society. It focuses on inclusivity, interfaith dialogue, and the role of religion in community cohesion. Students learn through coursework, presentations, projects, and field trips, and can pursue careers in academia, public service, and religious organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA in Religion, Culture and Society is a postgraduate degree that combines theology, philosophy, sociology, politics, and international relations. It aims to promote inclusivity, encourage reflection on interfaith dialogue, and highlight the important contribution religion and belief makes to community cohesion and combating religious prejudice and discrimination. The program explores the impact and influence of religion and belief within economic, political, and social constructs, critically analyzing religion and faith within the framework of theistic and atheistic approaches to spirituality, human rights, sexuality, territory and space, and cultural relationships.

Outline:

The program is delivered in-person on the Preston Campus and can be studied full-time over one year or part-time over two or three years.

Year 1 Compulsory Modules:

• Religion and Society: This module explores the impact and influence of religion on social structures, communities, politics, citizenship, culture and identity, pluralism, and national and international relationships within the context of British social and cultural reform since 1945.
• God, Sex and Contemporary Britain: This module examines the formally accepted aspects of sexuality, particularly topics relating to marriage and family within the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
• Contemporary Spirituality: This module explores younger, contemporary spiritual paths in Britain, the USA, and Europe, particularly in relation to their social context.
It critically examines standards of change, continuity, and possible conflicts.
• MA Dissertation: The dissertation provides an opportunity for independent study in an area of choice relating to Religion, Culture & Society.
• Interfaith Dialogue, Technology and Pluralism: This module broadly examines pluralism, considering how history has shaped the world today, as well as looking at leadership within faith-based societies.
It also explores tensions of faith and liberal pluralism, common space, and freedom of speech, among other things that affect our world.
• Research Methods: This module introduces the notion of knowledge production, researchers as knowledge producers, and approaches to knowledge production.
It familiarizes students with various knowledge production paradigms in social research, develops and appraises research proposals with an emphasis on secondary or archival research.
• Identify, reflect, and evaluate changes within society relating to stewardship, sustainability, and environmental devastation, including responses of religious communities and political parties.
• Consider, reflect, and evaluate the influences of religion on economic, political, and cultural aspects of different global communities, specifically impacting youth.
• Identify and critically assess how religion affects and is affected by social change, such as globalization, migration, secularization, and multiculturalism.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a mix of coursework, individual and group presentations, individual and/or group projects, reviews, and ICT interaction.

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of recognized experts in their fields who are committed to delivering academic learning of the highest quality. The program includes field trips to places like Liverpool Cathedrals, Ladywelle Pilgrimage and Shrine, and the Hindu Temple.

Careers:

An MA in Religion, Culture and Society can lead to rewarding academic and professional careers in the private or public sector. Potential career paths include:

• Race relations officer
• Ministry
• Equality/diversity training officer
• Youth worker
• Teacher
• Lecturer in further or higher education
• PhD or professional doctorate

Other:

The program is based in the School of Psychology and Humanities. It is designed to be a route into postgraduate study for students from a non-traditional academic background and supports professionals who have the required qualifications but would like a refresher before returning to study.

UK Full-time: £9,000 per year Part-time: £1,000 per 20 credits International Full-time: £16,900 per year