Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of the ways in which religious belief has been understood and analysed in the questions raised by philosophers of religion;
Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse religious belief utilising philosophical methods and concepts and to construct independent arguments;
Demonstrate the ability to enter into critical and exegetical dialogue with texts;
Demonstrate critical and analytical skills through the analysis of philosophical arguments and positions, particularly in relation to the usefulness of philosophical method for engaging with religion.

Content:

The module expands on and develops the questions and concepts introduced in the Level 4 module �Introduction to Philosophy of Religion.� It deals with selected issues in contemporary analytical philosophy of religion, such as:
� epistemological questions about the nature of religious knowing;
� religious diversity and how philosophers of religion deal with conflicting truth-claims;
� the nature of religious language and metaphysics;
� doxastic practice and the formation and origins of religious belief;
� life, death and the afterlife.
and with selected issues in continental philosophy of religion, particularly those relating to the person in phenomenology and existentialism, such as:
� the death of God and post-secularism;
� consciousness, personhood and religious experience;
� mystery, faith, sacrifice and values.
Non-western philosophies of religion are also embedded throughout the module.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will be taught in plenary sessions which will make use of a blend of teaching and learning methods. These will normally include: lecture-style presentations by the tutor or visiting lecturers; seminar-style discussion of a particular topic; prepared presentations by students, followed by discussion; other exercises as appropriate to material and group. Guidance on reading in preparation for each session and activity will be given; and learning will be supported where appropriate by VLE and other electronic resources. Guidance on research and essay-writing will be embedded in the learning and teaching process throughout the module; and may also be supported by tutorial guidance on essay plans and feedback on sumitted work.

Workshops / Seminars
Hours: 33
Intended Group size: 20

Guided Independent Learning
Hours: 167

Further details relating to assessment
The portfolio will consist of 6 portfolio entries, each of 300-400 words in length (not to exceed the maximum allowed in the final submission). These will be assessed throughout the module, with a submission due approximately every two weeks, and submitted together as a pack at the end of the module.