Theology and Religion, BA (Hons)

The BA in Theology and Religion examines human beliefs, worldviews, and their influence on society and culture, using tools from philosophy, social sciences, history, literature, and language. It critically analyzes these from internal and external perspectives, with strengths in Christian thought, history, and texts, while also addressing politics, ethics, non-Christian traditions, humanism, and atheism. Students are encouraged to engage in research seminars, public lectures, and optional placement or study abroad years.The curriculum progresses from foundational modules in the first year to specialized electives in the second, culminating in a third-year dissertation on a chosen topic. Assessment involves essays, examinations, and coursework, with a focus on self-directed learning to foster independent research skills.

Year 1 Core modules: Worldview, Faith and Identity outlines established approaches to the study of religion. The module introduces ideas of identity, faith and worldview as foundations for religious thought and practice. Introduction to the History of Christianity provides an introduction to the history of Christianity and to its relationships with its social and cultural contexts including the representation of different periods, different regions, different social groups such as historically marginalised groups, and different methodologies. Introduction to Christian Theology (philosophical studies) will equip you with a grasp of the history of Christian theology and provide a comprehensive map of the major figures, ideas and debates which function as a minimal context for intelligent work in Christian theology. The module will introduce the method of thinking theologically, by habituating you in the thoughts of leading theologians. Introduction to Bible: Texts, History, Culture (scriptural studies) introduces important passages and themes in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament, and explains some of the ways in which biblical scholars approach texts. In recent years, optional modules have included: New Testament Greek God and Evil God and the Good: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics Islam Observed: Ethnographic Accounts of Muslim Practice. Year 2 In recent years, optional modules have included: Literature and Theology of the Old Testament New Testament Theology Decolonising the Bible Death, Ritual and Belief Creation and New Creation: Imaging God Atheism, Belief and the Edge of Reason Topics in Christian Ethics Christ and the Human Mystery: Imaging God Sacred India: Land, Politics and Identity Jewish Religion in Antiquity: Belief Systems, Ethics, Political Conflicts Theology and Comedy Religion in Contemporary Britain Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement year or year abroad) Core module: In your final year, you will submit a dissertation on a related topic of your choice, approved by an academic advisor. The dissertation allows you to explore in depth a topic of special interest to you. In recent years, optional modules have included: Aramaic Advanced Greek Texts Issues in Old Testament Studies The New Testament and Christian Ethics Religion and Film Emotion and Identity in Religion Christian Fundamentalism and the Modern World.