BA Philosophy and Theology and Religious Studies

Year 3

(Award available for year: Bachelor of Arts)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme students should:
1. be able to engage in reasoned discussion of often highly charged topics with people of opposing views;
2. be able to identify the underlying issues in a debate, to analyse complex problems and to detect relevance and irrelevance;
3. be able to construct a reasoned argument for a point of view, and to present it in clear, structured prose;
4. display openness and independence of mind: be receptive to new ideas and approaches, and be able to subject them to critical scrutiny;
5. be able to read and analyse complex texts, and be sensitive to issues of interpretation;
6. display knowledge and understanding of some central theories and arguments in general philosophy, applied philosophy and the history of philosophy;
7. have first-hand experience of the writings of some major philosophers;
8. be able to engage in informed reflection on their own lives and place in the world, and on the presuppositions of other people, other times and other disciplines.

On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:

- understand and demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge and academic competencies some of which will be informed by recent research/scholarship in the discipline;
- demonstrate the understanding of more extensive knowledge in at least one area of specialism: Indian and Islamic Traditions; Religion, Culture and Society; Ethics and Christian theology and/or Biblical Studies;
- deploy accurately standard techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline;
- demonstrate a conceptual understanding which enables the development and sustaining of an argument;
- describe and comment on particular aspects of recent research and/or scholarship;
- appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limitations of knowledge in the discipline;
- be able to identify and select relevant scholarly reviews and primary sources, using IT and other means, and make appropriate use of them;
- apply their knowledge and understanding in order to initiate and carry out an extended piece of work or project;
- show appreciation of the complexity of different mentalities, social behaviours and aesthetic responses, and of the ways they have been shaped by beliefs and values, and how beliefs, sacred texts and art forms have been shaped by society and politics;
- show sensitivity to the issues of multiple and conflicting interpretations of concepts, language and symbols, texts and traditions and an associated capacity for avoidance of simplistic, literalising or doctrinaire explanations;
- appreciate both the interconnectedness of and internal tensions within a system of beliefs and practices;
- synthesise material from disparate sources and make connections between different fields of study;
- show a developed ability to evaluate material, against consciously articulated and considered criteria that may be defended against alternative possibilities;
- forming a coherent and integrated viewpoint or methodological approach, supported by evidence and argument;
- employ a variety of methods of study in analysing material, to think independently, set tasks and solve problems;
- give a clear and accurate account of a subject, marshal arguments in a mature way and engage in debate and dialogue with respect for the opposite case or different viewpoint;
- acquire knowledge of primary texts from a variety of traditions and disciplines and, where appropriate and desired, linguistic and text-critical skills;
- begin to develop original contributions to the subject if their aptitude and personal aspirations make this appropriate;
- communicate effectively, using a range of relevant formats.

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment related to the area(s) studied;
- skills necessary for the communication of information;
- skills necessary for the exercising of personal responsibility and decision making.

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

- the transferable/key/generic skills related to the area(s) studied;
- the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility;
- the deployment of decision making skills in complex and unpredictable situations;
- the communication of information, ideas, problems and solutions in a variety of ways to a variety of audiences;
- the ability to undertake appropriate further training or postgraduate study;
- empathy and imaginative insight;
- self-discipline, self-direction, independence of mind and initiative;
- ability to attend to others and have respect for others' views;
- ability to gather, evaluate and synthesise different types of information;
-analytical ability and the capacity to formulate questions and solve problems;
- presentation skills, both oral and written;
- IT skills, including word-processing, communicating by email and using the web, accessing information from electronic as well as non-electronic sources;
- teamwork skills;
- writing skills, including accurate referencing and clarity of expression;
- ability to attend closely to the meaning of written documents.

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:
- demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects of the discipline;
- work that draws on a wide variety of material;
- the ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion;
- demonstrating a broad knowledge base;
- evidencing in-depth investigation.

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:

- demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects of the discipline;
- work that draws on a wide variety of material;
- the ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion;
- evidence of an ability to conduct independent, in depth enquiry within the discipline;
- work that is both evaluative and creative.