Year 1
Compulsory modules:
Introduction to the Study of Religion A and B (20)
This module surveys wider theories and debates in sociology, cultural studies and anthropology as a basis for the study of religion, focussing especially on the social and cultural analysis of religion.
Problems of Philosophy A and B (20)
This module introduces a range of key philosophical problems most of which practically everyone with a philosophical temperament has puzzled over before:
- Scepticism (how can I know anything at all about the world?)
- Free will (how can I think and act freely, if all my thoughts and actions are determined by the laws that govern the Universe?)
- The existence of God (does S/He exist?)
- Realism vs. antirealism (to what extent is reality distinct from how it appears?)
- The mind/body problem (is the mind just the brain?)
- Personal identity (what is it about you that makes you the same person as you were years ago?)
- Utilitarianism vs. Deontology (are actions morally right and wrong ‘in themselves’, or are they so just because of the effects they have on people’s happiness etc?)
- Ethical obligation (do we have obligations to others?)
- Moral relativism (are moral values absolute or do they vary from one culture/person to others?)
- The requirements of justice (who should have what?)
Understanding Politics (20)
This is an introductory course designed to familiarise students with a broad spectrum of theories, approaches and issues related to the concept of power and contemporary political ideas.
The aim is to provide students with a solid foundation of key skills and knowledge upon which they can build their own perspectives on a number of themes and issues which they are likely to encounter over the course of their degree programme.
The course is divided into two main parts – the first part looks at different conceptions of politics and power, whilst the second half of the course examines a number of contemporary ideas and political issues.
Example optional modules may include (choose 20 credits in each group):
Group A (Theology and Religion)
- Wealth, Race and Gender: Political Theologies (20)
- The Bible and Global Challenges (20)
- Truth, Deception and Ethics in Philosophy and Film (20)
- Introduction to Islam (20)
Group B (Politics)
- Classical Political Thought (20)
- Introduction to International Relations (20)
- Introduction to Political Economy (20)
Group C (Philosophy)
- Ancient Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle (10)
- Ethics: How should we live? (10)
- Philosophy of Religion (10)
- Political Philosophy: Can power be legitimate? (10)