Unit information: Issues in the Study of Religion in 2019/20

Unit name	Issues in the Study of Religion
Unit code	THRS10031
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. David Leech
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	none
Co-requisites	none
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

In this unit students will engage with a number of issues central to the study of religion and theology, such as the environment, gender, orientalism, pluralism, secularism and fundamentalism. Taking relevant chapters from John R. Hinnels, The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion (2009; also available as an ebook) as the starting point, unit tutors will address a range of key issues relating to religion that feature prominently in news stories, current affairs and political debates.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a general knowledge and understanding of and sensitivity to the major issues involved in the study of religion today;
2. demonstrate a broad understanding of the theoretical ideas that inform scholarly research into ancient and modern religious behaviours and structures;
3. analyse and evaluate a variety of perceptions of modern religions;
4. identify and evaluate pertinent evidence/data in order to illustrate/demonstrate a cogent argument appropriate to level C/4.
5. demonstrate an independent approach to designing, researching and completing a level-I project.

Teaching Information

1 x two-hour lecture and 1 x one-hour seminar per week

Assessment Information

One 1000-word portfolio (25%) [ILOs 1–5]

One 2000-word portfolio (75%) [ILOs 1–5]

Reading and References

Willi Braun, Guide to the Study of Religion (London: Continuum, 2011)

George Chryssides, The Study of Religion: An Introduction to Key Ideas and Methods (London: Continuum, 2007)

John R. Hinnels, The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion (Second Edition; London: Routledge, 2009)