Religious Studies

Course summary

Studying Religion, Ethics and Philosophy challenges students to think about deep and controversial questions. It incorporates three key areas of study (theology, philosophy and social sciences) and is designed to inspire students to reflect on what it means to be humans and evaluate and reflect on the impact of beliefs on lifestyles. Students are encouraged to develop open minds that are analytical and evaluative, giving them the essential skills that are critical in a large variety of careers. Religion: Christianity – religious figures, sacred texts, religious concepts, social and historical developments in religious thought, e.g. who was Jesus? What is God’s nature? Is Christianity relevant today? Christian attitudes to inequality. Religious practices. Ethics: Religious and secular theories about morality, e.g. utilitarianism, situation ethics and ethical egoism, and their application to issues, e.g. polyamorous relationships, capital punishment, immigration and animal testing. The debate about free will and determinism. Philosophy: Arguments for the existence of God and challenges to them from atheism, science and psychology. The problem of evil and religious responses. Religious experiences and the debate around religious language. Religion, Ethics and Philosophy (REP) is an exciting and challenging subject that provides an outstanding education in thinking and communicating. You will learn to evaluate and argue with precision, skills your future university and employer is looking for. This course allows students to ask and consider the ‘big questions’ in life such as, “Is there a God?”; “How should we behave and what do the words ‘right’, ‘wrong’, ‘good’, ‘bad’ actually mean?” and “how should Christians practice their faith today”? It also encourages students to reflect on and develop their values, opinions and attitudes. We use detailed study packs which we have in class and independent activities. This allows us to spend time discussing, challenging and evaluating ideas, concepts and theories from all aspects of the course. This enables us to develop essential essay-writing skills. The course is enhanced by talks by speakers from universities and religious and non-religious organisations.