Religious Studies and Scottish Literature, MA (Hons)

Course summary

This joint honours programme combines the vibrant study of religions with the excitement of Scottish literature. Religious studiesReligious studies is an interdisciplinary field focusing on religious beliefs and practices and their relationships with the wider world. We take as much interest in the groups and people who practise religion as their gods, deities, ancestors and spirits. You will:

• study the concepts and emotions which underpin religious belief and practice, and their role and function in culture and society

• cover historical and contemporary material

Examining literatureReading and writing are key practices in religion and literature. This programme introduces you to major texts and gives you the tools and critical skills to understand and interpret them. You will:

• gain the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose

• read works of literature from Scotland and around the world, encountering different ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study

• use a range of methods to examine where religious ideas illuminate literature and where religion is mediated in texts

• study texts ranging from canonical writings, such as Buddhist sutras and the Hebrew Bible, to classic and modern fiction

Why EdinburghThe city of Edinburgh contains many museums, galleries and cultural sites, which broaden and deepen student learning. Home of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and the first UNESCO World City of Literature, its literary highlights include:

• the Scottish Poetry Library

• the Writers' Museum

• the Scottish Storytelling Centre

• outstanding holdings in the National Library of Scotland

Many greats of Scottish, English and world literature have called Edinburgh home. Over the past half century, Writers in Residence at the University have included:

• Jenni Fagan

• Liz Lochhead

• Sorley Maclean

• Norman MacCaig

• Michael Pedersen

• Alan Warner

Programme benefitsOur programme is extremely flexible. In Years 1 and 2, you will study your core subjects and will also choose option courses from a broad list of disciplines. You will specialise as you progress through your honours years.Studying religion and literature prepares you to contribute to a society in which an understanding of texts of all kinds is crucially important. It shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and the global marketplace.

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