MA Religion

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Arts)

Learning outcomes

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

• (LO1) demonstrate in-depth specialist knowledge of the relationship between religions / theology and social, cultural or political issues, including the methodological, ethical and technical issues involved in critical research into religion;
• (LO2) exhibit deep competence in the exercise of critical analysis of texts, traditions and practices related to religion and religious belief in a diverse range of social contexts;
• (LO3) demonstrate advanced, in-depth scholarship in a range of disciplinary and methodological approaches to the study of religion (including theological, historical, philosophical, anthropological, and sociological);
• (LO4) take a proactive and self-reflective role in working (including critical reflection on one’s own standpoint), and to develop professional relationships with others, particularly mindful of diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs;
• (LO5) proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses of a high level and produce original independent research that implements and evaluates these;
• (LO6) evaluate current issues and research in the study of religion in diverse social, political and cultural contexts.

Transferable (key) skills

Masters (taught) students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

• the skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or area of professional practice such as third sector and charity, NGO or policy work;
• evaluating their own achievement and that of others;
• self-direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations, such as fieldwork and ethnographic research in religion;
• methods and processes unique to the study of religion and society, including structuring, undertaking and reviewing field-based research;
• independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development;
• to engage critically in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms.

Assessment

Achievement for the degree of Masters (taught programme) 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 breadth and/or depth of knowledge to the study of religion in diverse social, cultural and political contexts;
• especially with regard to the dissertation, demonstrating original independent research
• drawing on a range of perspectives in the study of religion, including theological, philosophical, sociological, historical and anthropological;
• evaluating received opinion and, especially with regard to the dissertation, demonstrating a critical reflection on their own standpoint.
• making sound judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data;
• drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study and exploring at a high level the ethical and cultural issues at stake.