2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

THEO1140 Religion in Modern Britain

20 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Philip Mellor
Email: P.A.Mellor@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module introduces the study of Indian religions, Islam and Christianity as part of contemporary social and cultural life in Britain. What does it mean to be a Hindu woman in Bradford, for instance? How does this relate to contemporary Indian experience, and also to the expectations of a citizen of Britain in the 21st century? After examining some of the methodological problems in the study of religion, the module focuses on the following core themes:- Secularisation- Changing reconstructions of history and tradition- Identity- GenderChristian, Indian and Islamic responses to all these issues are studied in the remainder of the module. 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

On completion of this module students will be able to reflect critically on some of the major characteristics of religion in modern Britain, in an informed and disciplined manner. They will have explored a number of theoretical and methodological problems in the study of religion, and reflected on these in relation to specific religious traditions. Although the dominant focus of the module is on contemporary issues, they will also be able to comprehend how these issues need to be seen in broader historical and cultural contexts, and will therefore have become familiar with a range of scholarly methods and arguments. The combination of written work, oral presentations in seminars, and fieldtrip studies will also have enabled the students to have some experience of a range of different academic skills. These will not only further their knowledge of the various means through which religion can be studied, but will also offer them experiences of studying of a more general value.

Syllabus

This module is concerned with Christianity, Indian religions and Islam in modern Britain, focusing on their character, cultural location, and the various ways in which they have interacted with, and responded to, modern social and cultural developments. After examining a number of methodological problems concerning the study of religion, the module focuses on the core themes of secularisation, changing reconstructions of history and tradition, identity issues, and problems relating to gender. It is in the light of these themes that Christian, Indian and Islamic forms of religion are examined in the rest of the module. Of particular concern are the ways in which the study of religions in modern Britain needs to be attentive to the broader cultural, historical and philosophical backgrounds and characteristics of each form of religion.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	1	1.00	1.00
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Private study hours			177.00
Total Contact hours			23.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Field trip 3 hours
Up to 4 hour gathering and reading resources, note taking and thinking per lecture 4 x 22
Essay up to 56 hours planning, gathering and reading resources, note taking, thinking, drafting and redrafting
Fieldwork assignment up to 30 hours planning, gathering and reading resources, note taking, thinking, drafting and redrafting

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Lecture attendance
Fieldwork seminar attendance and participation
Occasional informal conversation and email correspondence

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	2,000-2,500 words	40.00
Essay	3,000-3,500 words	60.00
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: 01/05/2009

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