Religious Studies Why study this subject? Theology / Religious Studies is a unique subject which explores the world through the eyes of religion. In particular, we explore how different worldviews have influenced our understanding of reality, ethics and society. Theology / Religious Studies is the meeting point between the timeless and the timebound, the infinite and the finite, the divine and the human; through it we investigate important ultimate questions including: • • • • • •
What is real? Can God be known? What makes life valuable? What does it mean to be human? Can more than one faith be true? Does religion have a part to play in the modern world?
Theology / Religious Studies is inter-disciplinary by nature and therefore it combines well with many subjects, including History, Philosophy, English, Psychology, Politics, as well as any of the Sciences. What skills will you develop? Theology / Religious Studies will help you develop a diverse range of skills including: • • • • •
a disciplined approach to problem solving communication and teamwork an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion, ethics and contemporary issues persuasion and negotiation an evaluation of your own values and opinions
These skills will be helpful in a wide variety of careers including journalism, law, teaching, charity work and many more. What are the key elements to the course? Philosophy of Religion • Plato and Aristotle • Soul, mind and body • The existence of God • Religious language • God’s eternity and human Free Will Ethics • Secular ethics: utilitarianism and Kantian deontology • Religious ethics: natural law and situation ethics • Applied ethics: euthanasia, business ethics, sexual ethics • Meta-ethics Developments in Religious Thought • Religious beliefs, values and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and in the contemporary world • Sources of religious wisdom and authority • Practices which shape and express religious identity, and how these vary within a tradition • Significant social and historical developments in theology and religious thought • Key themes related to the relationship between religion and society
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