2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

THEO1122 Introduction to the Study of Religions

20 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Dr Aled Thomas

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

None

Module replaces

THEO1930 ‘Introduction to the Study of Religion/s’

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module introduces the Study of Religion as an academic field of study. The module integrates the exploration of different approaches, theories, methods, concepts and issues in the Study of Religion through the reading of key texts in the Study of Religion. Throughout the module, religion is approached as something polymorphic (i.e. it comes in many shapes and sizes) and multi-dimensional (presenting many different faces), woven into local and global life and thought as well as embodied in religious institutions, texts, practices and images. The module does not aim to introduce specific religions as such but will use examples from a variety of religious traditions. E.g. using Islam as a case study in approaches to the Study of Religion, critical issues in the Study of Religion and dimensions of religion involving text, belief, and authority.

Objectives

The objectives of the module are:

To introduce students to key approaches, methods, theories and concepts in the study of religion/s.

To develop students’ knowledge and understanding of critical issues and debates in the study of religion/s, such as gender, (post)colonialism, normativity and subjectivity.

To enhance students’ academic skills such as academic reading and writing, critical thinking and argument.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students will have:

1. Foundational knowledge and understanding of selected approaches, methods, theories and concepts in the study of religion.

2. Basic knowledge and understanding of critical issues and debates in the study of religion, such as gender, (post)colonialism, normativity and subjectivity.

3. The ability to critique academic sources in the study of religion and beyond.

4. An understanding of and the ability to use key terminology in the study of the religion.

5. The skills to use a range of critical approaches to the study of religion, including analysing different approaches to the study of religion.

Syllabus

The module lectures cover topics including ‘Why studying religion?’, the history of the study of religion (defining religion, methods; insider/outsider), approaches to the study of religion e.g. sociology, anthropology, critical issues in the study of religion/s e.g. gender and sexuality, (post)colonialism and race and various dimensions of religion, e.g. text, belief, and authority, ritual, practice and action, institutions and community, identity and the individual and objects, images and buildings.

The seminars focus on developing the students’ skills to enable them to write a critical review of a key text in the Study of Religion. The seminars cover research methods, position and perspective, how to write a book review, studying academic book reviews and reading different types of texts on religion e.g. classic texts, modern texts and postmodern texts.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	9	1.00	9.00
Private study hours			181.00
Total Contact hours			19.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Preparation for lectures: 10 x 3 = 30 hours

Preparation for seminars: 9 x 4 = 36 hours

Preparation and writing of formative assessment: 25 hours

Preparation and writing of summative assessment: 90 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A seminar on ‘Analysing academic book reviews’ will take place early in the module in which students will be invited to submit a 500-word critique of two academic book reviews (2 x 500 word reviews) on which they will receive formative feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	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: 29/04/2024 16:19:43

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