BA Classical Studies and Religion

CLA1005: Greek and Roman Narrative

This module explores Greek and Roman epic poems within their literary, cultural, and social contexts: the Homeric epics Iliad and Odyssey, and selections from Apollonius' Hellenistic work The Argonautica and Roman 'epic', including Catullus 64, Virgil's Aeneid and Ovid's experimental Metamorphoses .

This module aims to explore:

• the development of the narrative genre from the earliest heroic epics through to Imperial Rome
• the assumptions the texts make about humans and the world
• how changes in society are reflected in literature and in the role of literature in society
• how attitudes and preconceptions influence the authors' treatment of their subject

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CLA1006: Greek and Roman Drama

This module is aimed at anyone who wants to know more about the fascinating theatrical traditions of ancient Athens and Rome. You will examine a wide range of plays, both tragic and comic, including works by authors as varied as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Menander, Aristophanes, Terence and Plautus. All these texts are studied in the medium of English translation, making the module widely accessible. You will be given an advanced critical introduction to some of the greatest and most influential works in the Western dramatic tradition, and will be encouraged to think about such matters as the connection between drama and society, the role of ritual and religion, the nature of the tragic and comic genres, and the psychological and emotional impact of drama on its audience.

• To come to a general understanding of the origin and development of ancient drama, the importance of types of plot and character, the relationship of drama with society and the emotional effect of tragedy.
• To explore Athenian tragedy of the fifth century BC over a period of some sixty years, paying attention both to the texts of the plays and the way they develop with time and in line with changes in the city.
• To complement the study of Athenian tragedy with the very different tragedy of Seneca (first century AD), which raises issues of text, performance and the cultural setting of drama.
• To explore comedy, considering the place of Greek Old Comedy (for example Aristophanes) in the Athenian democratic city, and ways in which it differed from the New Comedy of the late fourth century (for example Menander).
• To investigate Roman approaches to comedy through the plays of Plautus and Terence.

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THE1121: Religion and Material Culture

Religion is inseparable from material culture. From the places, objects and art people create and use, to the rituals and practices they perform, religion is as much about what people 'do' and 'make' as what they might 'think' or 'believe'. This Level 1 module offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the relationship between religion and material culture, both past and present, by examining a number of methodological approaches to the subject along with further exploration of case studies drawn from the module leaders' own fieldwork and research to encourage your curiosity and develop your ability to follow the evidence to draw independent conclusions.

While this module provides core content for the Religion, Culture, and Society programme, it is also suitable for those on other CAHRT programmes, as well as those in disciplines such as Archaeology, History and AHVC who are interested in the relationship between religion, ritual and material culture.

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THE1123: Reform, Retreat and Reinvention: A History of Christianity

This module introduces you to the academic study of the history of Christian traditions in East and West. The module will focus on various key period of Christian history from earliest Christianity to the present day. You will analyse and evaluate a variety of sources by key thinkers from each epoch (in English translation). You will learn how the story of Christianity in East and West has been told both by faith communities and by scholars. You will explore religious, political and cultural conflict in every era and how Christian communities responded to it and made accommodations with power. You will reflect critically on the way in which Christian narratives have changed across different regions and over time, developing an openness to new ideas and perspectives while drawing evidence-based and independent conclusions.

The module runs over 11 weeks with two classes per week. You will be introduced to selective developments in Christian West (especially, Western Europe and North America) and East (especially, Eastern Europe), how Christianity spread and became a global religion on the back of economic and political expansion and exploration and examine encounters between Christians and those of other religious traditions, especially Islam. You will develop core academic and transferrable skills such as critical thinking, cultural intelligence, textual analysis, insightful questioning, research skills, referencing and attribution of sources.

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CLA1030: Ancient World: Racecraft

How did 'race' come to be an important part of the contemporary world? Has race always been a criterion for categorising people and organising social difference, as it is now? Questions of this kind will be at the core of this module which will look at how social difference was organised in ancient worlds. If we take our jumping off point that Greeks and Romans did not have a concept of race that maps neatly onto our notions of race, how did they organise social difference? And - where did ideas about race come from if the Greeks and Romans thought so differently about it? To answer these questions, we will look at ancient and modern ideas together in order to appreciate that race is neither a fixed or nor timeless way of categorising and making hierarchies between people. Instead, race is 'crafted' (as argued by sociologists Karen and Barbara Fields). We will be thinking about race in the ancient world as crafted in particular ways to support modern ideas about whiteness, empire, and civilisation.

No prior skills, knowledge or experience are required to take this module, only willingness to examine its origins and effects with curiosity and a sensitivity to others' lived and ongoing experiences of racism. This module is suitable for non-specialist students, and is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways: joint honours students are warmly welcome.

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CLA1031: Text and Context: Women in Homer

This module explores the roles of women in the Homeric epics, alongside an investigation of the latest scientific and archaeological discoveries unearthing the real experiences of women in the Late Bronze Age. We will ask questions like: why has the Iliad often been thought as 'all about men'? Why does the Odyssey start with a woman being told to shut up? Is there a way that we can read women back into Homer? How do we interpret powerful women from the Late Bronze Age like Puduhepa, Queen of the Hittites - and what might she have to do with Homeric epic? And how might discoveries in archaeology and science shed new light on the experiences of women in the ancient world - and make us read these texts in a different way?

The aims of the module are:

• To explore the many different roles played by women in the Homeric poems, and to unpack how setting these alongside the historical experiences of women in the Late Bronze Age can change and shape the way we think about Homer - as well as the importance of women, both narratively and historically.
• To analyse the Homeric epics within their ancient literary, historical and cultural context, and - at the same time - to critically examine how contemporary concerns and theoretical approaches can change the way we understand the past.

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CLA1035: Roman Death and Commemoration

This module explores how people in the Roman world considered the fundamental and ever-present questions surrounding death and commemoration. By interpreting a wide range of sources including inscribed monuments, grave goods and literary texts, you will examine how Roman society treated and remembered its dead. You will focus not only on topics including burial and cremation practices, funerary portraiture, the composition and display of epitaphs, and regional patterns of commemoration, but also on how social inequalities affect the ways in which people are represented and under-represented in our source materials. You will also look at how aspects of Roman commemorative practices resonate in the modern day. All texts will be studied in translation and no prior knowledge is required.

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CLA1301: Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Tyranny

The word 'tyranny' means something quite different today than it did in the ancient world, where it was the name given to the form of monarchy established in many Greek states in the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. Tyranny was not a special form of constitution, or necessarily a reign of terror; the tyrant might either rule directly or retain existing political institutions but exercise a greater influence over their working, and his rule might be benevolent or malevolent. This module will explore the ways in which autocratic power was understood and discussed by different Greek authors and their successors, and the challenges involved in trying to reconstruct the historical reality and significance of tyranny.

The aims of the module are:

• To engage in in-depth thinking about the literary sources for archaic tyranny
• To illustrate the advantages and limitations of textual evidence for understanding the ancient world and the archaic period in particular

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CLA1354: Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus

The Augustan Age is seen as one of the turning points in the history of Rome, Italy and the Ancient Mediterranean, embodying tradition and innovation, continuity and novelty. Yet the great building programs that transformed Rome into an imperial capital, were not always celebrated, but criticised and feared for what they represented - tyranny. In this module you will consider how the visual and architectural language was developed as a tool of power. We will read the tremendous wealth of evidence against the grain - along with the silences - to uncover multiple histories of the age, whether in monuments, engravings, poetry, or political writings.

• You will consider: What models are drawn on to create the new capital city worthy of empire? How is the art and architecture used to rewrite history and bring in new ideals where gods mingle with mortals and myth becomes reality? Can we begin to understand the effect of the new structures on the Roman population? How did the building programme refocus the centres of activity and redirect the movement and gaze of the city? In what sense is the building programme innovative and to what extent is it simply mirroring trends of other great cities with similar types of rule? Is it a monument to immortality?
• This module also provides an introduction into how to use and analyse visual and material evidence as a historical source, drawing on key texts, including poetry and the Res Gestae.
• You will engage in in-depth thinking into the underlying aims of and influences on the building programme, the monuments and art of Augustan Rome.

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CLA1405: Text and Context: Roman Laughter

What made the Romans laugh? What were the limits of Roman humour? What does this reveal about Roman culture and society? This module addresses some of the key issues of the politics and poetics of Roman humour. It is concerned with the way the Romans employed wit, satire and irony for comment, criticism and deconstruction, as well as a powerful weapon in their rhetorical battles. We will consider a range of materials, from the poems of Catullus, to the fables of Phaedrus, to non-elite art. Ultimately, we will address whether the humour that seems to turn everything on its head seeks to subvert or reinforce prevailing power structures.

You will learn how to analyse, evaluate and use texts from a range of genres and how to relate their style and content to the wider context of Roman literary culture and society. In considering what we can learn about the Romans from their use of humour, you will also be encouraged to think about uses of humour in the modern world and the socio-cultural insights that can be gleaned from thinking about what makes us laugh.

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CLA1508: Ancient World: Roman Philosophy

This module aims to offer a chance for students from various backgrounds to explore a period of philosophy that is less often studied than Greek philosophy but which is rich in its intellectual and cultural interest. It shows how Roman Philosophy emerged against the background of later Greek (Hellenistic) Philosophy and how Roman thinkers gave a distinctive character to philosophical thought. It also offers you the chance to explore fundamental philosophical questions about human values and happiness, ethics and nature, mind and body, death and the gods, as these are treated by important Roman thinkers such as Lucretius, Cicero, and Marcus Aurelius.

• To examine a range of central philosophical questions debated in Roman philosophy and to set these debates against the background of later Greek (Hellenistic) thought, which strongly influenced Roman thought.
• To explore contrasting approaches of two leading philosophical movements in this period - Epicureanism and Stoicism - whose ideas are still relevant and significant today.
• To cover a range of topics that includes ethics (virtues and values), mind-body relationships, the nature of death, and the nature of the gods, through a set of readings by major Roman authors, especially Cicero, Lucretius and Marcus Aurelius.
• To engage with the philosophical questions conveyed in these readings and to become thoughtful and critical readers of a range of stimulating texts in Roman culture.

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CLA1025: Classical Language and Texts Greek I (A)

Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and around the ancient world, from the islands of the Aegean Sea to Greek colonies in the Western Mediterranean, Asia and Africa. More Greek texts survive than any one individual could read in a lifetime, making it one of the best documented languages of ancient societies and providing us with fundamental first-hand knowledge about the ancient world. Through the coinage of new words, ancient Greek continues to be a productive language nowadays. This module, designed for those with no previous experience of the language, introduces you to the fundamentals of ancient Greek morphology, syntax and vocabulary. It will particularly appeal to those who have encountered the classical world through texts in translation and wish to know more about the languages in which these works were composed. By the end of the module, you will be able to read, comprehend and translate simple sentences and short passages of ancient Greek.

This module aims to:

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CLA1026: Classical Language and Texts Greek I (B)

Building on a solid foundation of learning in Classical Language and Texts: Greek I (A), this post-beginner module introduces further Greek morphology, syntax and vocabulary with a view to equipping you with the skills to read longer and more complex texts. By the end of the module, you will be able to read, comprehend and translate GCSE-level sentences and passages, and will be well-prepared, should you wish, to proceed to Greek II.

This module aims to:

• Build upon your pre-existing knowledge of basic Greek morphology, syntax, and vocabulary
• Develop your language-learning skills
• Enhance your understanding of how knowledge of Greek can enrich our understanding of the culture of ancient Greece
• Deepen your appreciation of the relationship between Greek and other Indo-European languages, including English

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CLA1027: Classical Language and Texts Latin I (A)

There is arguably no better way to get beneath the skin of the cultures of the ancient world than through the ancient languages. Latin was originally the language of a small area of Italy called Latium, in which the city of Rome was located, but as Rome's power grew the reach of the language expanded right across the Roman empire. Even after the fall of the Roman empire, Latin remained alive, while also becoming the root language for many modern languages in turn (including English). This module, designed for those with no previous experience of the language, introduces you to the fundamentals of Latin morphology, syntax and vocabulary. It will particularly appeal to those who have encountered the classical world through texts in translation and wish to know more about the languages in which these works were composed. By the end of the module, you will be able to read, comprehend and translate simple sentences and short passages of Latin.

This module aims to:

• Introduce you to some basic Latin morphology, syntax, and vocabulary
• Equip you with the language-learning skills required to proceed further with your study of Latin
• Draw attention to the ways in which knowledge of Latin enhances our understanding of Roman culture
• Illustrate the relationship between Latin and other Indo-European languages, including English

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CLA1028: Classical Language and Texts Latin I (B)

Building on a solid foundation of learning in Classical Language and Texts: Latin I (A), this post-beginner module introduces further Latin morphology, syntax and vocabulary with a view to equipping you with the skills to read longer and more complex texts. By the end of the module, you will be able to read, comprehend and translate GCSE-level sentences and passages, and will be well-prepared, should you wish, to proceed to Latin II.

This module aims to:

• Build upon your pre-existing knowledge of basic Latin morphology, syntax, and vocabulary
• Develop your language-learning skills
• Enhance your understanding of how knowledge of Latin can enrich our understanding of Roman culture
• Deepen your appreciation of the relationship between Latin and other Indo-European languages, including English

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CLA1202: Classical Language and Texts: Greek II

This module will build on your knowledge of Greek from Greek level I or equivalent. You will learn to read and understand unadapted passages from Greek texts, without assistance. You will also complete some English to Greek work. You will be taught to use grammatical aids which will enable you to follow linguistic structures to help you to solve problems of syntax and grammatical structure. You will have regular practice at translating text and will be assessed through the year. This module will prepare you for higher level Greek classes at stage 3.

The aims of the module are:

• To develop your linguistic confidence.
• To develop your ability to read extracts without adaptation from the most important and influential Greek authors.
• To encourage you to appreciate the style of different authors and the relationship between language and literary content.

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CLA1204: Classical Language and Texts: Greek III

This module will build on your existing knowledge of Greek. It will increase your fluency in reading whole Greek texts and strengthen your linguistic abilities. You will focus on studying a main set text and supplementary and supporting texts which will be complemented with classes dedicated to language and syntax work.

The module aims are:

• To study set texts, Greek language work and the practice of literary criticism together in a single integrated module.
• To prepare you for the study of Greek language and literature at a more advanced level.

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CLA1252: Classical Language and Texts: Latin II

This module will build on your knowledge of Latin from Latin level I or equivalent (e.g. GCSE). You will learn independently to read and understand passages without adaption from Latin texts. You will be introduced to grammar and syntax not covered at previous levels of study. Texts will be chosen from various authors of prose and poetry to encourage you to appreciate the style of different authors and the relationship between language and literary content. Building on developing your knowledge of Latin grammar and syntax, study of language and literature will progressively be introduced as your confidence increases.

The aims of the module are:

• To develop your linguistic confidence.
• To develop your ability to read extracts without adaptation from the most important and influential Latin authors.
• To encourage you to appreciate the style of different authors and the relationship between language and literary content.

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CLA1254: Classical Language and Texts: Latin III

This module will build on your existing knowledge of Latin. It will increase your fluency in reading whole Latin texts and strengthen your linguistic abilities. You will focus on studying a main set text in each term and supplementary and supporting texts which will be complemented with classes dedicated to language and syntax work.

This module aims:

• To study set texts, Latin language work and the practice of literary criticism together in a single integrated module.
• To prepare you for the study of Latin language and literature at a more advanced level.

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ARA1018: Introduction to Islam

This module will introduce you to Islam as both a textually based religious tradition and as a lived practice. It is an essential module that introduces you to themes and ideas that will be useful for your study of Islam and the Middle East in modules you may take in the future. As such, it is for the beginner with no prior knowledge and takes an inter-disciplinary approach using history, theology, law, literature, the arts and philosophy as a way to introduce the religious traditions of over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Starting from an introduction to the basic textual sources of the Qur'an and the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, we consistently ask what significance the history of the faith has for believers both in the past and in the future, and conclude with discussions on who speaks for Islam in the contemporary world and the difficulty of that very question.

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ARA1041: Religious Communities of the Middle East: Culture, Endangerment and Survival

This module takes you to the heart of the struggle for survival of some unique religious communities of the Middle East, many of which have existed for many hundreds of years but which may not live beyond our lifetime. You will not only learn about the rich traditions of Eastern Christianity but also about the much smaller groups who challenge our received ideas of what a 'religion' is and what it must consist of.

Over the term we will take you historically from Late Antiquity up until the last few years, when violence displaced many minorities from their homelands. You will read academic, media and faith sources and will be invited to consider what prejudices, colonial or otherwise, might underly all these sources. No knowledge of any of the local languages is required, nor is it necessary to have studied the 'Introduction to Islam' module - though if you have, you will find that the two modules complement each other.

You will develop knowledge of the cultural complexity of the Middle East and the environment in which this arose. You will develop your ability to evaluate sources, both for accuracy and for underlying prejudice and bias. You will learn to use the principle of religious literacy.

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THE1072: Introducing Biblical Hebrew

Available in levels, 1, 2 and 3, you will learn Classical Hebrew. Following Kahn, Routledge Introductory Course in Biblical Hebrew, you will acquire a good working knowledge of the basic elements of Biblical Hebrew. This will enable you to translate short passages from Hebrew into English (with appropriate glossary and the aid of a dictionary) and to translate short sentences from English into Hebrew.

This option module will:

• Enable you to acquire a good working knowledge of the basic elements of Biblical Hebrew
• Enable you to translate short passages from Hebrew into English (with appropriate glossary and the aid of a dictionary)
• Enable you to translate short sentences from English into Hebrew

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THE1076: Religion in the Modern World

In this module, you will develop an informed and questioning approach to religion (including the meaning of 'religion' and 'secularism', challenges to the freedom of religion, whether the state should be neutral regarding religion, and other points of contact between religion and politics) in the modern world. When addressing the meaning of 'religion' you will engage with key texts, and from this theoretical basis consider more contemporary social questions about religion in Western societies today including: 'What is religion?' and 'How do religion and politics relate to the diverse experiences of varied communities?' The module is suitable for students from a range of disciplines.

This module aims to:

• Introduce you to the modern phenomenon of religion
• Introduce key issues pertaining to religion in the modern world, e.g., whether the state can and/or should be neutral regarding matters of religion; selected debates about secularisation in the UK and Western Europe; and new models of religious pluralism
• Help you to develop in an informed and questioning approach to religion in the modern world

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THE1101: The Bible: Past and Present

This core module will introduce and interrogate the Bible not only as a library of ancient books reflecting the interests and ideologies of their authors and original contexts but also as a material object, icon and ongoing influence (for good and ill) in contemporary cultures. You will gain methodological skills of interpreting biblical texts through engagement with key cultural themes (ancient and modern) including religion, identity, politics, place and displacement, environment, and body and gender.

This module aims to:

• Introduce you to both the historical contexts in which selected books of the Bible were written and the contemporary reception of these texts in different cultural contexts
• Develop methodological and interpretative skills through close analysis of selected biblical texts and motifs in reference to broader themes permeating ancient and contemporary societies

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THE1120: What is Religion?

This module provides you with foundational conceptual and practical skills for critically engaging with religion at university level. There are three elements to this. First, you will be introduced to subject-specific study skills (such as finding appropriate sources, referencing, and building and appraising arguments). Second, you will develop an understanding of how the academic study of religion and theology have historically developed, how they are subdivided, and where they differ in emphases and approach. Third, you will develop a knowledge of historical and contemporary debates on defining 'religion'. This issue is considered both in terms of scholarship that wrestles with the very word 'religion', but also through critical consideration of a selection of diverse individual and cultural perspectives from around the world commonly labelled as 'religions'.

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THE1122: Introducing Social-Scientific Approaches to Religion

This module introduces you to the social-scientific study of religion: in particular sociological, anthropological, and psychological theories and perspectives. We will think critically about the ways in which these academic disciplines construct culture, society, the mind, and religion, and their respective methods of inquiry about religious beliefs and practices. The module will seek to equip you with key qualitative and quantitative research skills in the social-scientific study of religion. You will gain experience in anthropological, sociological, and/or psychological project design and implementation: in particular fieldwork methods in the study of 'lived religion' of individuals and communities in both global north and south contexts (as a way of going beyond a sole emphasis on texts and institutions). These methods will include digital ethnography, statistical analysis, participant observation, interviews, media research, and material culture, also critical reflection (reflexivity) on your position as a researcher in the field, and ethical issues surrounding research with human subjects.

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THE1124: God and the World: Constructive Christian Theology

This module introduces you to the academic study of Christian Theology. It takes a constructive theological perspective. You will be introduced to areas of Christian doctrine and belief that have been discussed throughout the theological tradition, and bring them into critical conversation with contemporary issues such as racism and the climate crisis to help develop your cultural intelligence and engagement. You will be introduced to a range of key Christian thinkers, and will reflect on texts by present-day scholars continuing the theological conversation today. You will engage with a range of genres such as written texts, visual art, and film.

You will develop core academic and transferrable skills such as critical thinking and insightful questioning, textual analysis including drawing research-based and independent conclusions, evaluating the quality of arguments, research skills such as time management, referencing and attribution of sources. There are five main blocks in the module: the first week in each block is more theoretical, providing you with background information and critical resources; the second week in each block is about how this theological theory is applied in practice. In the final block we focus on wider implications and future directions.

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THE1125: Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

Millions of people around the world profess a religion and are influenced day-to-day by their faith. This module is for anyone wanting to learn more about the philosophical and ethical aspects of selected religions. You will be introduced to some of the basic methods in the philosophy of religion: the philosophical method and its role in thinking about religion, beliefs and faith-experiences to allow you to consider key questions about the nature of religion in a philosophical way You will be introduced to how selected religions engage ethical issues such as the climate crisis, poverty alleviation, peace-making and armed conflict, as well as the reading of sacred scriptures to inform ethical decision-making.

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CLA2005: Greek and Roman Narrative

This module explores Greek and Roman epic poems within their literary, cultural and social contexts: the Homeric epics Iliad and Odyssey , and selections from Apollonius' Hellenistic work The Argonautica and Roman 'epic', including Catullus 64, Virgil's Aeneid and Ovid's experimental Metamorphoses.

This module aims to explore:

• the development of the narrative genre from the earliest heroic epics through to Imperial Rome
• the assumptions the texts make about humans and the world
• how changes in society are reflected in literature and in the role of literature in society
• how attitudes and preconceptions influence the authors' treatment of their subject

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CLA2006: Greek and Roman Drama

This module is aimed at anyone who wants to know more about the fascinating theatrical traditions of ancient Athens and Rome. It examines a wide range of plays, both tragic and comic, including works by authors as varied as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Menander, Aristophanes, Terence and Plautus. All these texts are studied in the medium of English translation, making the module widely accessible. Students will be given an advanced critical introduction to some of the greatest and most influential works in the Western dramatic tradition, and they will be encouraged to think about such matters as the connection between drama and society, the role of ritual and religion, the nature of the tragic and comic genres, and the psychological and emotional impact of drama on its audience.

• To come to a general understanding of the origin and development of ancient drama, the importance of types of plot and character, the relationship of drama with society and the emotional effect of tragedy.
• To explore Athenian tragedy of the fifth century BC over a period of some sixty years, paying attention both to the texts of the plays and the way they develop with time and in line with changes in the city.
• To complement the study of Athenian tragedy with the very different tragedy of Seneca (first century AD), which raises issues of text, performance and the cultural setting of drama.
• To explore comedy, considering the place of Greek Old Comedy (for example Aristophanes) in the Athenian democratic city, and ways in which it differed from the New Comedy of the late fourth century (for example Menander).
• To investigate Roman approaches to comedy through the plays of Plautus and Terence.

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THE2035: Intermediate Biblical Hebrew

This module will build on your knowledge from pre-requisite module THE1072; Introducing Biblical Hebrew. You will focus on selected chapters from Genesis. You will be able to develop your knowledge of Biblical Hebrew through the study of the set text and further grammar.

This option module will enable you to

• Apply and to develop their knowledge of Biblical Hebrew through work on set texts and on further grammar
• Engage in the translation and exegesis of the set texts
• Consider the issues involved in translation

This level 2 module is available to students in Stage 2 and Stage 3, provided they have fulfilled the prerequisites.

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THE2044: Reading New Testament Letters

This module will give you the opportunity to engage in close reading of two New Testament letters, one from among those written by the apostle Paul, one from among those attributed to other authors, or widely thought to be pseudonymous. Those with knowledge of ancient Greek can engage the texts in their original language, but this will not be expected or assumed. These letters, in various ways, are of enormous influence in the history of Christianity, the development of Christian theology, and the cultures and media of societies shaped by Christianity. The module will also give you the opportunity to reflect on our perspectives as readers, and on how different contexts, identities, and agendas shape the process of interpretation.

In order to take this module successfully, you should ideally have studied THE1109 Introduction to the History and Literatures of the Bible and THE1101 The Bible: Past and Present. These are, however, not formal prerequisites and students interested in the module without prior experience of biblical studies should discuss this with the module leader.

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THE2214: Building God's House: The Origins of Church Architecture

This module will introduce you to the origins of Christian places of worship. It will begin with a discussion of references to ‘house churches’ and alternate meeting spaces such as catacombs, before evaluating the evidence for the earliest Christian cult spaces. This will then be followed with an exploration of how the ‘Church’ evolved as a distinct architectural type imbued with sacred power. The course will encourage you to consider the ritual settings of early Christianity and to explore questions arising the relationship between ritual and its architectural context. No prior knowledge of these questions will be necessary, but the content of the course means that it will also be suitable for students on Classics, Art History and Archaeology courses.

This module aims to:

• introduce you to the earliest origins of Christian ritual spaces
• explore how informal meeting places crystallised into the building types that we today recognise as churches
• familiarise you with the study of Christian architecture and the inter-relationship between ritual and architecture
• give you the basic tools to study early Christian architecture

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THE2218: The Invention of God

In this module, you will explore the ways in which the character, forms, and functions of the God of the Hebrew Bible emerged from the ancient polytheisms of southwest Asian societies. Drawing on archaeological, anthropological, historical, iconographical, and literary-critical approaches, students will encounter key aspects of the religious and cultural contexts of the biblical texts and the societies in which they were produced. You will examine the ways in which biblical writers recycled and adapted older mythologies and religious practices, and interrogate the ways in which ideologies of power and subversion contributed to the creation of the biblical God. There are no pre-requisites for this module, but module THE1101 is a recommended preparatory pathway.

This module will enable you to better understand and critique ideas about the emergence of monotheism ('one-god' religion), aniconism (imageless worship), and constructs of the divine in the societies that gave rise to the Hebrew Bible and related early Jewish and Christian writings. You will learn how to read literary, visual, and archaeological material with critical eyes, and consider the ways in which power, gender, sexuality, materiality, class, and place intersect to shape ancient and modern responses to this material.

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THE2230: Conflicts and Encounters between Religions: War, Peace, Politics and the Quest for Dialogue

For all of their history, religions have encountered other religions and, in many cases, entered into dialogue and peace-building with them. Far too often, less than successfully, religions have met one another with acrimony, violence and war. In each case, politics has played a major role whether for good or for ill. Other times, the conflicts and encounters have clarified religious teaching and led to a cross-fertilization between different religious traditions. This module draws on a variety of disciplines to examine the history of interreligious conflicts and encounters, and the contemporary turn towards a sympathetic comparative theology that aligns different traditions theologically while drawing on the practices of interreligious dialogue. We will examine contemporary and historic clashes between religious traditions where there has been bloodshed (e.g. the Crusades, War in Ukraine, Israel-Palestinian war in Gaza), often fuelled in modern times by nationalism, the persecution of religious minorities, as well as contemporary culture war issues where religious traditions have been deeply divided (e.g. gay and trans rights, abortion, women's rights).

This module invites you to explore:

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THE2231: History of Encounters between Philosophy and Theology

Christian theology has always had a close relationship with philosophy. Theologians have used philosophical ideas and arguments to understand religious beliefs, and philosophers have addressed religious ideas in their work. The relationship has not always been a happy one, however, with theologians and philosophers sometimes attacking each other's ideas bitterly. In this module you will study some of the key periods in history when Christian theology has interacted especially closely with major philosophical movements of the day. The emphasis throughout is on both the history of these encounters and the ideas and arguments that they spawned.

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THE2233: Poets as Theologians

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THE2234: Jesus: Histories and Receptions

How do historians study Jesus? Why do accounts of his life differ? And how did Jesus of Nazareth become one of the most influential figures in history? This module introduces students to the historical study of Jesus and to reception history, the study of how Jesus has been understood, adapted, and contested over time in arts, politics, societies and cultures. Through close reading of ancient texts and modern interpretations, you will learn how history, memory, and meaning intersect in the study of Jesus. No prior knowledge is required.

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THE2287: Early Christians and the Jewish Law: Puzzling over Paul's Roman and Galatian Letters with Ancient and Modern Readers

Module description

Paul’s letters to the Romans and Galatians are notoriously complex and intriguing texts, each of which has undergone a complex history of reception. Since Martin Luther, commentators have usually understood both letters to mount devastating attacks on Jewish religion, viewed as the epitome of the “works righteousness” that Luther’s Paul sought to demolish. In the past-War era, however, our historical understanding of Paul in his first-century context has progressed markedly. This is partly because Christian commentators have attended more seriously to Jewish interpreters of Paul, and partly due to advances in historical-critical and sociological methods. Now a number of divergent readings of Romans and Galatians offer viable alternatives to traditional Reformation readings, while Protestant readers are pushing back with renewed vigour and discipline. The debate continues.

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HAS3999: Study Abroad

The Study Abroad programme enables you to undertake a year-long study placement at a partner university outside of the UK, as part of your degree programme.

This module serves as the administrative mechanism for recording the Study Abroad assessment results of students within the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). Students participating in the Study Abroad programme and based in a HASS department (except for the Law School, the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, Modern Languages, and the School of Education) will be registered on this module during their Study Abroad placement year.

The Study Abroad programme widens the range of modules available to you during Stage 3 of your degree programme; enables you to broaden your academic horizons by studying in a different learning culture and (where relevant and appropriate) in languages other than English; and aims to promote resilience, independence, cultural awareness, and communication skills.

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HAS3998: Employment Experience

This module allows you to undertake and to learn from an extended work placement during the third year of a four year “with Employment Experience” programme. You will use one or more work placements to gain skills that equip you to work in the employment market and to improve your knowledge of the work environment. You are encouraged to think about the intercultural competence and the employability skills that you acquire during your year.

To progress to this module, you will have secured a suitable placement for a minimum of 26 weeks.

Having developed the skills necessary to find relevant roles and apply for roles in the graduate labour market, this is an invaluable opportunity to develop work-related skills and experience that will further enhance your success in the graduate labour market and support your future career choices.

During your placement year you will be supported by the Module Convenor and Placement Team.

The module assessment structure provides opportunity and support for you to evaluate your skills and achievements using personal development techniques.  You will also write an Employer Report to showpiece the culmination of your academic and business skills.

This module aims to:

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CLA3009: Dissertation

This module gives you the opportunity to pursue an independent research project on a topic of your choice in the field of Classics and Ancient History, and to write up your research in an extended dissertation. Enrolment on this module in your final year of study is subject to submission of preliminary materials in the previous academic year, and approval of them by the module convenor (dissertation coordinator). The decision to write a dissertation should not be taken lightly: before enrolling on this module, please consider whether you possess an adequate degree of independent learning skills as well as writing skills and time management skills.

Although you will work for the most part independently, each dissertation will be supervised by a member of staff, to be assigned by the module convenor. Your supervisor will read and comment on some drafts, giving advice on the style, the argument and directions for further investigation. It will be your responsibility to liaise with your supervisor and keep them posted about the progress of your work. You will be allowed to arrange up to four meetings with your supervisor, with a maximum of two meetings per term. In addition to this 1-to-1 supervision, you will receive general advice and guidance on how to conduct research suitable to an UG dissertation, and how to write up and present a suitable UG dissertation, in two plenary sessions led by the module convenor.

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THE3030: Theology and Religion Dissertation

This core module provides you with an opportunity to carry out independent research in a sustained way on a topic chosen by you (with advice), and to present the findings of research in an extended piece of academic written prose. It also gives you an opportunity to develop your presentation skills, presenting on your project to a small group of students and academic staff and answering questions.

This core module (run across terms 1 and 2) enables you to plan and implement an independent research project, and write up the results in a sustained piece of prose, as well as presenting your research to peers and staff. It will hone methodological skills, enhance your profile as an independent researcher, give you experience of working with a supervisor in the design and writing of your project, and give you the opportunity to write at length about an issue or question in the field of Religion, Society, and Culture which you are passionate about.

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THE3044: Reading New Testament Letters

This module will give you the opportunity to engage in close reading of two New Testament letters, one from among those written by the apostle Paul, one from among those attributed to other authors, or widely thought to be pseudonymous. Those with knowledge of ancient Greek can engage the texts in their original language, but this will not be expected or assumed. These letters, in various ways, are of enormous influence in the history of Christianity, the development of Christian theology, and the cultures and media of societies shaped by Christianity. The module will also give you the opportunity to reflect on our perspectives as readers, and on how different contexts, identities, and agendas shape the process of interpretation.

In order to take this module successfully, you should ideally have studied THE1109 Introduction to the History and Literatures of the Bible and THE1101 The Bible: Past and Present. These are, however, not formal prerequisites and students interested in the module without prior experience of biblical studies should discuss this with the module leader.

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THE3214: Building God's House: The Origins of Church Architecture

This module will introduce you to the origins of Christian places of worship. It will begin with a discussion of references to ‘house churches’ and alternate meeting spaces such as catacombs, before evaluating the evidence for the earliest Christian cult spaces. This will then be followed with an exploration of how the ‘Church’ evolved as a distinct architectural type imbued with sacred power. The course will encourage you to consider the ritual settings of early Christianity and to explore questions arising the relationship between ritual and its architectural context. No prior knowledge of these questions will be necessary, but the content of the course means that it will also be suitable for students on Classics, Art History and Archaeology courses.

This module aims to:

• introduce you to the earliest origins of Christian ritual spaces
• explore how informal meeting places crystallized into the building types that we today recognise as churches
• familiarise you with the study of Christian architecture and the inter-relationship between ritual and architecture
• give you the basic tools to study early Christian architecture

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THE3218: The Invention of God

In this module, you will explore the ways in which the character, forms, and functions of the God of the Hebrew Bible emerged from the ancient polytheisms of southwest Asian societies. Drawing on archaeological, anthropological, historical, iconographical, and literary-critical approaches, students will encounter key aspects of the religious and cultural contexts of the biblical texts and the societies in which they were produced. You will examine the ways in which biblical writers recycled and adapted older mythologies and religious practices, and interrogate the ways in which ideologies of power and subversion contributed to the creation of the biblical God. There are no pre-requisites for this module, but modules THE1101 and/or THE1104 are recommended preparatory pathways.

This module will enable you to better understand and critique ideas about the emergence of monotheism ('one-god' religion), aniconism (imageless worship), and constructs of the divine in the societies that gave rise to the Hebrew Bible and related early Jewish and Christian writings. You will learn how to read literary, visual, and archaeological material with critical eyes, and consider the ways in which power, gender, sexuality, materiality, class, and place intersect to shape ancient and modern responses to this material.

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THE3230: Conflicts and Encounters between Religions: War, Peace, Politics and the Quest for Dialogue

For all of their history, religions have encountered other religions and, in many cases, entered into dialogue and peace-building with them. Far too often, less than successfully, religions have met one another with acrimony, violence and war. In each case, politics has played a major role whether for good or for ill. Other times, the conflicts and encounters have clarified religious teaching and led to a cross-fertilization between different religious traditions. This module draws on a variety of disciplines to examine the history of interreligious conflicts and encounters, and the contemporary turn towards a sympathetic comparative theology that aligns different traditions theologically while drawing on the practices of interreligious dialogue. We will examine contemporary and historic clashes between religious traditions where there has been bloodshed (e.g. the Crusades, War in Ukraine, Israel-Palestinian war in Gaza), often fuelled in modern times by nationalism, the persecution of religious minorities, as well as contemporary culture war issues where religious traditions have been deeply divided (e.g. gay and trans rights, abortion, women's rights).

This module invites you to explore:

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THE3231: History of Encounters between Philosophy and Theology

Christian theology has always had a close relationship with philosophy. Theologians have used philosophical ideas and arguments to understand religious beliefs, and philosophers have addressed religious ideas in their work. The relationship has not always been a happy one, however, with theologians and philosophers sometimes attacking each other's ideas bitterly. In this module you will study some of the key periods in history when Christian theology has interacted especially closely with major philosophical movements of the day. The emphasis throughout is on both the history of these encounters and the ideas and arguments that they spawned.

This option module will focus on a number of periods when Christian theology came into close contact with secular philosophical movements, from the second century up to the twentieth. In each case, the module will introduce the main figures involved in the encounter and the ideas and arguments that were used, both by those seeking to incorporate philosophical ideas into their theology and those who resisted such attempts.

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THE3233: Poets as Theologians

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THE3234: Jesus: Histories and Receptions

How do historians study Jesus? Why do accounts of his life differ? And how did Jesus of Nazareth become one of the most influential figures in history? This module introduces students to the historical study of Jesus and to reception history, the study of how Jesus has been understood, adapted, and contested over time in arts, politics, societies and cultures. Through close reading of ancient texts and modern interpretations, you will learn how history, memory, and meaning intersect in the study of Jesus. No prior knowledge is required.

View an example full module specification

THE3287: Early Christians and the Jewish Law: Puzzling over Paul's Roman and Galatian Letters with Ancient and Modern Readers

Module description

Paul’s letters to the Romans and Galatians are notoriously complex and intriguing texts, each of which has undergone a complex history of reception. Since Martin Luther, commentators have usually understood both letters to mount devastating attacks on Jewish religion, viewed as the epitome of the “works righteousness” that Luther’s Paul sought to demolish. In the past-War era, however, our historical understanding of Paul in his first-century context has progressed markedly. This is partly because Christian commentators have attended more seriously to Jewish interpreters of Paul, and partly due to advances in historical-critical and sociological methods. Now a number of divergent readings of Romans and Galatians offer viable alternatives to traditional Reformation readings, while Protestant readers are pushing back with renewed vigour and discipline. The debate continues.

View an example full module specification