BA Religion, Culture and Society

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

View an example full module specification

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'.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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

View an example full module specification

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

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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:

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

THE2233: Poets as Theologians

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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:

View an example full module specification

THE3121: Dissertation: Religion, Culture and Society

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.

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

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:

View an example full module specification

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.

View an example full module specification

THE3233: Poets as Theologians

View an example full module specification

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