Religious Studies

Course summary

Religious Studies will enable you to: -Develop your interest in a rigorous study of religion and belief and relate it to the wider world. -Develop knowledge and understanding appropriate to a specialist study of religion. -Develop an understanding and appreciation of religious thought and its contribution to individuals, communities and societies -Adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion -Reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in the light of their study Component 1: Philosophy of Religion Students will learn about: Ancient philosophical influences; Plato and Aristotle The nature of the soul, mind and body Arguments about the existence or non-existence of God The nature and impact of religious experience The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil Ideas about the nature of God Issues in religious language. Component 2: Religion and ethics Students will learn about: Normative ethical theories The application of ethical theory to two contemporary issues of importance; euthanasia and business ethics Ethical language and thought Debates surrounding the significant idea of conscience Sexual ethics and the influence on ethical thought of developments in religious beliefs. Component 3: Developments in Christian Thought Students will learn about: Human nature in the context of the purpose of life, the self and immortality The different Christian interpretations of the promise and nature of the afterlife The relationship between faith and reason and how Christians may understand their relationship with God Historical and theological understandings of Jesus; Son of God, teacher of wisdom and a liberator How Christian traditions view other religions and non-religious worldviews Feminist approaches to theology, the changing roles of men and women and the social influence of religious institutions.