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Semester 1

Studying Religions (DIVI08018)

Subject

Divinity

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

1

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

This course introduces students to contemporary Religious Studies and invites them to rethink their preconceptions about studying the complex topic of 'religion'.

Course Description

Academic Description: This course invites students to rethink their preconceptions about studying the complex modern topic of religion by introducing them to key approaches and debates in Religious Studies, including historical, sociological and anthropological approaches. It uses these to examine through a comparative and theoretically informed perspective empirical examples and case studies of how religion/s are articulated by diverse people in multiple settings. The course will give prominence to people's everyday ideas and practices about religion, while also indicating the broader disciplinary shape of the Study of Religion/s. Syllabus/Outline Content: The complexity and richness of the course is illustrated through three interrelated approaches - historical, anthropological and sociological. It begins by evaluating the problem of defining 'religion' and exploring how Religious Studies has renewed its focus on the role of religion in everyday life: in "lived" beliefs and practices. Literature from key texts in Religious studies will be considered alongside international case studies, including material from Europe and South Asia. Student Learning Experience Information: The course has a programme of two one-hour weekly lectures and one-hour tutorial discussion. The meetings will be interactive and will allow students to engage with the topic through lecture/video and tutorial discussions. Each student will do a presentation based on the assigned reading and will be responsible for leading class discussion during the tutorial hour. Through their participation in lectures, tutorials, written work, final examination, and feedback offered, students will demonstrate their achievement of the intended learning outcomes.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 60%, Coursework 25%, Practical Exam 15% 15% - Tutorial assessment, comprising two parts: one mini-essay of 500 words, and one tutorial presentation, each counting for 7.5% 25% - Essay: 2000 words on a topic to be chosen 60% - Final Written Exam (in person exam)

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