2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

THEO1960 Religion in Modern Britain

10 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Dr Jasjit Singh
Email: j.s.singh@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

Module replaces

THEO1140

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will introduce you to the study of religious diversity as part of contemporary social and cultural life in Britain. In order to explore this diversity further you will carry out your own fieldwork study of a religious groups in Leeds. After consideration of key issues about studying religion in the British context the module introduces a range of key conceptual themes (such as secularization and tradition) before brief introductions to traditions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Paganism. The need to be attentive to the broader cultural, historical and philosophical backgrounds and characteristics of each form of religion is a major concern of the module.

Objectives

1. To introduce the skills required for fieldwork in the study of religion
2. To develop awareness of methodological and theoretical issues in the study of religion
3. To introduce the range of religions in contemporary Britain, and provide the basis for further independent study

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students will be able to:
1. Conduct and evaluate a fieldwork visit
2. Identify and analyse methodological and theoretical issues in relation to a specific religious context
3. Demonstrate knowledge of one religious tradition

Skills outcomes
Fieldwork methods, health and safety and ethics.

Syllabus

For indicative purposes only, different themes will be used depending on recent research and current issues
Week one
Lecture: Module introduction – what is ‘religion’ in Britain?
Week two
Lecture: Methods and methodology in the study of religion in Britain
Seminar: Ethics and health and safety in fieldwork
Week three
Lecture: Religion in Britain – what data can we use?
Discussion group: Why is religion controversial?
Week four
Lecture: Christianity and gender
Seminar: Planning and conducting your fieldwork visit
Week five
Lecture: Islam – diaspora, migration and transnationalism
Discussion group: Challenges and opportunities in fieldwork
Week six
Lecture: Judaism – tradition and transmission
Seminar: Researching complex traditions and communities
Week seven
Lecture: Hinduism – the colonial legacy
Discussion group: How secular is Britain?
Week eight
Lecture: Buddhism – the significance of the built heritage
Week nine
Lecture: Sikhism – generation and change
Discussion group: Should religion be taught in schools?
Week ten
Lecture: Paganism – struggles for recognition
Seminar: Evaluating and writing up fieldwork
Week eleven
Lecture: Module Plenary – sharing your research with your fieldwork location

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Peer Discussion	4	1.00	4.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Independent online learning hours			4.00
Private study hours			77.00
Total Contact hours			19.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Independent online learning:
Students will complete a series of quizzes on fieldwork ethics and health and safety. These will be unassessed but must be completed in order to undertake the fieldwork visit.
Private study:
Fieldwork visit: 3 hours
Fieldwork planning and reflection: 10 hours
Lecture preparation: 10x3 = 30 hours
Seminar preparation: 4x3 = 12 hours
Student-led discussion preparation: 8 hours
Fieldwork report writing: 14 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance monitoring;
Completion of online quizzes;
Engagement in seminars and discussion groups;
Office hours for one to one support and feedback;
‘Module lunch’ for weekly informal engagement;
Opportunity to submit a draft report before the end of teaching.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Fieldwork	Fieldwork Report 2000 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/03/2019

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