Religious Studies

Course summary

Teaching, Nursing, Journalism, Charity officer, Social Work, Youth Work and Counsellor. Theology, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Economics, Law, Medicine, or in the Humanities. Component 1: In Philosophy of religion learners will study philosophical issues and questions raised by religion and belief. These include arguments regarding the existence or non-existence of God, the nature and influence of religious experience and the problems of evil and suffering. Philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Paley, Hume, and Dawkins will be examined. Component 2: Religion and Ethics is characterized by the study of ethical language and thought and an exploration of key concepts. Learners will study normative ethical theories and key ethical concepts and apply these to issues of importance; namely euthanasia and business ethics. Influential thinkers such as Mill, Kant, Fletcher, C.S.Lewis, Singer and Glover, will be analysed. Component 3: Developments in religious thought provides an opportunity for the systematic study of Christianity. This will include the exploration of religious beliefs, values, teachings and practices that shape religious identity, as well as sources of wisdom and authority. Scholars such as Augustine, McGrath, Chapman, Hick, Calvin and Bonhoeffer will be evaluated.