Religious Studies

Assessment

Component 1 : A study of one religion (33 1/3 % of qualification: 2 hour examination) Part one: Students will study the religion of Hinduism focusing on its key beliefs, values and teachings including life after death, the role of the community and beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life. Sources of wisdom and authority including sacred texts and key religious figures and their teachings will also be studied. Part two: The course focuses on significant social and historical developments in religious thought including the challenges of science, responses to pluralism and diversity within traditions and the changing roles of men and women. This will be looked at in works of at least two key scholars selected from the field of the philosophy of religion Component 2 : Philosophy of religion (33 1/3 % of qualification: 2 hour examination) Part one: Philosophical issues such as the existence or non-existence of God, gods or ultimate reality, the nature and influence of religious experience and challenges to religious belief such as the problems of evil and suffering will be studied from three perspectives. Part two: Students will discuss how views of religious language have changed over time and a consideration of at least two different views about religious teachings being understood symbolically and analogically. This will be looked at in works of at least two key scholars selected from the field of the philosophy of religion and developments in the way these ideas are applied to issues in religion and belief. Component 3 : Religion and ethics (33 1/3 % of qualification: 2 hour examination) Part one: The study of ethics will be looked at through ethical language and thought and ethical theories such as situation ethics, natural law and utilitarianism. Students will then look at the application of ethical theory to two personal, societal or global issues of importance such as abortion and euthanasia. Part two: Students will study a selection of meta-ethical theories and significant ideas in religious and moral thought such as free will, conscience or authority. A comparison of the significant ideas presented in the works of at least two key scholars selected from the field of religion and ethics will support this theory.