BA (Hons) Religion and Theology Bachelor's degree at York St John University

This module is an introduction to the academic study of religion. Through it you will prepare for degree level study by familiarising yourself with key terms, methodologies and issues. The module will also provide you with the academic skills you need to succeed on your degree, including: Using the library database, Referencing sources, Writing bibliographies, Communicating your ideas, Structuring your essays

On this module you will explore ethics in both religious and secular traditions, applying them to various contexts, such as famine and affluence. You will consider: What informs the ethical decisions people make, How people form their attitudes to moral dilemmas, Whether there are sources for moral reasoning other than religious ones, What, if anything, rich nations owe poorer nations

On this module you will engage with important debates in the philosophy of religion, from the classic to the contemporary. You will consider religion as an ever present aspect of human society, challenging established ideas and developing skills in constructing rational arguments. The module will focus primarily on the western philosophical tradition and its relationship with the Abrahamic faiths. However, we will also consider how philosophical and religious thought interact in other traditions

On this module we will introduce you to the foundations of Christian theology by examining key figures, events and issues in the history of Christian thought. We will focus on both the historical development and the changing contexts of Christian theology. You will learn about the most significant sources of Christian theology, the key doctrines and the contributions of some of the major theologians.

Many conflicts across the world have a religious dimension. Religious voices add to the political in the public sphere to debate issues from war and conflict to cultural values. On this module you will build on your study skills and respond to contemporary issues encountered in the media. You will address the challenges of grappling with sensitive and complex events and beliefs, and use appropriate academic resources to do so.

On this module you will learn about the global spread of Christianity, considering its interaction with diverse cultural, political and social contexts across history and the modern world. You will investigate the story of Christianity, and come to understand the changing global nature of Christianity today. This includes discussing the nature and impact of secularisation and areas of growth and decline for Christianity.

This module focuses on modern western philosophy in an important period of intellectual history. We will be introduced you to the most influential philosophers from the beginning of the 17th century through to the end of the 19th century, and explore the ethical and religious issues surrounding their work. You will learn about the interaction between philosophical and religious thought, and construct your own arguments in response to these ideas. This will help you to understand the concepts beh

This module is an opportunity to reflect on how the skills and knowledge you are gaining on your degree can benefit you in the future. You will use the expertise and resources available within the University to find out more about the possible career options available to you. You will also explore some of the philosophical, theological and ethical issues which may arise in the workplace, as well as investigating theological meditations on the nature and meaning of work in the contemporary world.

Applied ethics is an essential part of philosophy, and on this module you will apply your developing understanding of ethical thought to an important area of contemporary life. Many of the debates surrounding the topic of death employ religious arguments. By considering a range of widely debated issues in this area, you will learn how ethical theory interacts with practical matters and everyday life.

On this module you will explore a range of debates concerning a central themes in the philosophy of religion – the problem of evil. The existence of suffering, pain and atrocities has been used to question the existence of a benevolent God, and we will discuss some of the philosophical and theological responses to this problem. You will approach the topic through the works of various different philosophers, evaluating their different perspectives and forming your own critical responses.

On this module you will expand your understanding of religion through the study of literature. This will involve exploring texts across a variety of genres, styles and time periods, all of which engage with ideas of religion and spirituality. We will also introduce you to important concepts in literary theory, such as intertextuality and reader-response theory. Throughout the module you will build skills in analysis and critical reflection, considering how real experiences and debates can be exp

This module explores the complex relationship between religion and politics. We will consider the role religion plays in international relations, government policy and social identity, as well as discussing how governments can use religion to connect with citizens or to advance political agendas. Using case studies from across the world, we will investigate topics such as: Religious freedoms and human rights, Democratisation, Religious extremism, Sectarian conflicts, Fundamentalism, Secularisati

On this module you will explore one of the most pressing issues facing humanity: its relationship with an increasingly devastated natural environment. This will involve examining modern spiritual outlooks on the natural world, as well as emerging eco-theologies. We will consider how religious thinkers have responded to climate change and mass extinction, and how religious ideas can contribute to debates about sustainable living. You will learn about tradition, doctrine and ancient wisdom, and ex

Religion can heavily impact the lives of individuals within society, whether or not they are believers. On this module you will consider religion from a sociological perspective, engaging with some of the debates and theories which address it. You will explore how religious and non religious lives can be understood within wider social structures and processes. We will use concepts of structure, agency and intersectionality to examine the role of religion in society, communities and individual li

On this module you will explore the role myth plays in explaining and defining human experience, from ancient mythology to popular culture. You will explore the religious nature of myth alongside theoretical explanations of how myth functions for individuals and communities. Through creative writing workshops and the study of established mythologies, you will have the opportunity to write your own myth.

This module will explore key themes and theories relating to the Holocaust and wider genocide studies. We will consider how different mediums such as art, literature and film have been used to articulate responses to the Holocaust. As part of the module you will visit a Holocaust centre or museum, giving you an in depth understanding of the effects of genocide on victims, bystanders, perpetrators and survivors.

The negotiated study is your opportunity to carry out independent research into a topic of your choice, within the broad field of Theology and Religious Studies. You will work independently to develop a proposal, research the topic and negotiate your own direction. A tutor with specialist knowledge in the area you are focusing on will support you in this study.

On this module you will apply the knowledge and understanding you have built through the course so far to a new area, using the medium of film to explore theological and ethical issues. We will introduce you to the language and conventions of film analysis, before supporting you to explore individual films or scenes in detail. As you move towards your final assignment you will investigate a theological theme or ethical concept through your choice of relevant films.

This module examines the role of religion in a global context through the application of theories concerning globalisation, secularisation, fundamentalism and migration. We will explore this through various media, including: Books, Articles, News items, Film, Literature, Online media