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- UCAS course code
- VV35
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Interpreting Religion
Unit code | RELT20572 |
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Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 2 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
‘Interpreting Religion’ explores current methods in the academic study of religion and the role of spirituality in personal and public life. The course introduces students to a range of traditional and contemporary approaches to interpreting religion and also concentrates on the practical application of these methods to the undergraduate study of religion. It is intended as a preparation for dissertation study at Level 3. Part of the assessment profile of the course will require the student to write an essay on the subject of his/her intended dissertation.
Aims
- To enable students to be more reflective and self-aware about the methods of interpretation of traditional, classical and particularly new approaches in the study of religion
- To consider a range of types of research questions and approaches appropriate for Level 3 undergraduate dissertations
- To reflect on the practical problems of writing a good dissertation
- To develop analytical and presentational skills that are required for the Level 3 dissertation
Teaching and learning methods
Knowledge and understanding
By the end of this course students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of various historical and contemporary ways of approaching and interpreting religious material
- Communicate orally and in written work a range of conceptual terms in the interpretation of religion
Intellectual skills
By the end of this course students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate the ways in which different methods can inform a greater understanding of religious experience
- Comment upon the strengths and weaknesses on different academic approaches to the study of religion
- Identify and articulate the theoretical basis and objectives of their own proposal for dissertation study at Level 3
Practical skills
By the end of this course students should be able to:
- Draft and discuss abstracts, with reference to research projects
- Identify the key components of a Level 3 Dissertation
- Conduct an effective literature review
Transferable skills and personal qualities
By the end of this course students should be able to:
- Make clear arguments for and against different positions
- Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of analytical discussion in written work
Employability skills
- Written communication
- Write in accordance with specific guidance for a particular purpose
- Other
- Ability independently to gather, sift, synthesise and organise material from various sources (including library, electronic and online resources), and to critically evaluate its significance
Assessment methods
Literature Review | 10% |
Research Outline | 40% |
Approaches Essay | 50% |
Reflective Review | 0% (formative) |
Feedback methods
Feedback Methods | Formative or Summative |
Written feedback via Turnitin/Grademark | Formative and summative |
Additional one-to-one feedback during the consultation hour or by making an appointment | Summative |
Recommended reading
Day, Abby et al. (2013) Social identities between the sacred and the secular. Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate.
Gregg, Stephen E. & Scholefield, Lynne. (2015) Engaging with living religion: a guide to fieldwork in the study of religion. 1st ed. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Hinnells, John R. (2009) The Routledge companion to the study of religion. 2nd ed. London: Routledge.
Segal, Robert Alan. (2009) The Blackwell companion to the study of religion. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Stausberg, Michael. & Engler, Steven. (2014) The Routledge handbook of research methods in the study of religion. London: Routledge.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Lectures | 22 |
Seminars | 11 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 167 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Katja Stuerzenhofecker | Unit coordinator |