University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > Department of Religion and Theology > Religion and Theology (BA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1THRS005U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Rita Langer
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Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Theology and religious studies (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
With its distinctive small group seminars and lectures taught by specialist academics, the Bristol programme in Religion and Theology enables its students to:
(a) think critically about the nature and variety of religions;
(b) understand, explain and analyse religion's significant shaping of and complex interaction with the modern world;
(c) explore themes (philosophy, ethics, mysticism, sex, power, and politics) across religions; and
(d) engage with different living religious communities as part of their Bristol degree.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of A1 is through mandatory units at Level C and I which introduce the student to the five religious traditions, as well as Biblical studies, theology and philosophy of religion (A1 and A2) and the Methodology (approaches and issues) of Religious Studies (A4). Optional units at Levels C, I and H provide the student with progressively more detailed studies of individual religious traditions from a variety of methodological perspectives (A1-7). Units are taught by means of one or more of the following: lectures, small classes, group discussion, student presentations (both as an individual and in groups), guided fieldwork and tutor-guided classroom debate |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment of the knowledge base delineated in A1-6 is achieved through employing one or more of the following methods of assessment, dependent on the learning outcomes of the unit in question: Diagnostic and Formative Assessment: Oral presentations essays (and the subsequent feedback), class tests, class participation and guided fieldwork (A3-6). A7 is assessed through class tests and regular language assignments. Summative Assessment: Written examinations, essays, class tests, dissertations and portfolios (and, at Level C and I, oral presentations and class participation). A7 is assessed through class tests and examinations. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills, including discipline-specific skills, (B1-B8) are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and language classes, individual essay-preparation meetings and dissertation tutorials. The combination within an individual unit is determined by the learning outcomes of that unit. Lectures introduce students to the description, summary and synthesis of information (B2), assessment of arguments (B3) and the evaluations of claims (B4), as presented by the lecturer. Seminars then provide an opportunity for students to develop skills B1-7 in written form (through seminar papers or notes, essays and examinations) and orally (through individual or group presentations). Training in skill B4-B8 is provided through guided fieldwork, language classes, and developed through the setting of, and feedback on, regular assignments. Skills B1-7 are also developed through essay-preparation meetings (at all levels), and with respect to independent study, (B1 and B7), through dissertation tutorials (at level H only). |
Methods of Assessment | |
The assessment of the student’s competence in skills B1-7 is achieved through employing one or more of the following methods of assessment, dependent on the learning outcomes of the unit in question: Diagnostic and Formative Assessment: Oral contributions to class, presentation of seminar papers (both in written and oral form), class tests (primarily for language units), essay preparation meetings, essays (and the subsequent feedback), guided fieldwork and dissertation tutorials. B8 is assessed through class tests and regular language assignments. Summative Assessment: At level C, competence in these skills is assessed through oral presentations and oral contributions to seminars (and the notes thereof), essays and written examinations. At level I, competence in these skills is assessed through oral presentations and oral contributions to seminars (and the notes thereof) essays and examinations. At level H, competence in these skills is assessed through essays, examinations, a dissertation of 12000 words or a dissertation of 8000 words plus a portfolio of 4000 words. Language units (B8) are assessed through class tests, examinations and, for some units, essays. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Training in these skills is delivered through lectures, seminars, essay-preparation meetings, dissertation tutorials, guided fieldwork, group work and both guided and independent reading. These skills are developed through attending class and researching and preparing for one or more of the following: seminar presentations (oral and written): Skills C1-7 seminar participation (oral): Skills C1, C2, C7 essay-preparation meetings: Skills C2-7 dissertation tutorials: Skills C2-7 writing of essays and dissertations: Skills C1-7 guided fieldwork: Skills C4-8 class tests: Skills C8-9 examinations: Skills C2, C3, C6, C7, C8 Skills in information technology (C5) are taught through training sessions at Level C, through the use of websites as resources in particular units at all levels and through preparation and feedback sessions on word-processed essays at all levels. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The assessment of the student’s competence in skills C1-9 is achieved through employing one or more of the following methods of assessment, dependent on the learning outcomes of the unit in question: Diagnostic and Formative Assessment: Oral contributions to class (Skills C1-3), presentation of seminar papers (both in written and oral form: Skills C1-3), class tests (primarily for language units: skill C9), essays (and the subsequent feedback), essay-preparation meetings (Skills C1-7) and dissertation tutorials (Skills C1-7). Guided fieldwork (Skills C4-8) is assessed through portfolio. Skill C9 is assessed through class tests and regular language assignments. Summative Assessment: At level C, the competence in these skills is assessed through oral presentations and oral contributions to seminars (and the notes thereof: Skills C1-3), essays (Skills C1-7) and written examinations (Skills C1-3, C5-8). At level I, the competence in these skills is assessed through essays (Skills C1-7) and examinations (Skills C1-3, C5-8). At level H, the competence in these skills is assessed through essays (Skills C1-7), examination (Skills C1-3, C5-8) and a dissertation of 12,000 words or a dissertation of 8000 words plus a portfolio of 4000 words. (Skills: C1-8). Language units are tested by class tests, examinations and, for some language units, essays (Skills: C1-9). |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
At level C, the student is expected to have gained an introductory knowledge and understanding of the five religious traditions outlined in A1 above, Biblical studies (both Hebrew Bible and New Testament), Theology and Philosophy of Religion and the Methodology of Religion and Theology. Discipline-specific, intellectual skills and key/transferable skills (B1-7 and C1-8) will have been developed at a foundational level in accordance with the aims and learning outcomes of particular units. Students taking a unit with fieldwork element will have gained (B4-8). Those students opting to take language units will have been expected to gain, in addition to the above, skills B8 and C9. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At level I, the student is expected to have further developed his/her knowledge and understanding of the religious traditions mentioned in A1 above and/or Biblical Studies (both Hebrew Bible and New Testament) Theology and Philosophy of Religion and the Methodology of Religion and Theology through mandatory units. The opportunity to develop this knowledge and understanding further is provided through optional units which take as their subject matter specific elements of the religious traditions and/or Biblical Studies. A greater degree of independent learning (Skills B1, B7, C3, C6 and C7) and a greater competence in some or all of the skills of research, group work and oral and written presentation (B2-6, C1, C2, C4) and fieldwork is expected. Students take examinations in most units and therefore have the opportunity to further develop skill C8. Students taking a unit with fieldwork element will have gained (B4-8). Those students taking language options will be expected to further develop skills B8 and C9. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At level H, the student is expected to develop his/her knowledge and understanding of one or more of the elements of Religion and Theology studied at Level I through optional units and a specified piece of research work (the dissertation unit and dissertation with fieldwork/work placement unit). Each unit offers learning opportunities in one or more of the following: extensive primary source material research (Skills B1, C3), increasing independence (in terms of student learning and originality of thought: skills B7, C6, C7) and greater competence in oral and written presentation than that expected at level I (B2-6, C1, C2, C4-6). In the option of dissertation with fieldwork or work placement offers additional opportunities to network, gain transferable skills and enhance employability. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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List A | |||||
Living Religions West | THRS10064 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
List B | |||||
Approaches to the Study of Religion | THRS10030 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
List C - Choose 20 CP from this list | |||||
Topics in Religion and Theology | THRS10063 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Introduction to Sanskrit I: Grammar | THRS10017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Beginners Japanese | UWLP10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Mandarin Chinese | UWLP10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Greek Language Level A1 | CLAS12311 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level B1 | CLAS12315 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level A1 | CLAS12303 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level B1 | CLAS12307 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List D | |||||
Living Religions East | THRS10065 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 | |
List E - Choose 20 CP from this list | |||||
Issues in the Study of Religion | THRS10031 | 20 | Optional | E | TB-2 |
Greek Language Level A2 | CLAS12312 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level B2 | CLAS12316 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level A2 | CLAS12304 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level B2 | CLAS12308 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
List F | |||||
20 CP From Bristol Futures, UWLP or Faculty Wide Units | OPEN | 20 | Optional | ||
Approaches to Poetry | ENGL10026 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Introduction to Early-Modern Art | HART10216 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Representations: (Re)-Making the World | HUMS10011 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
The Medieval World | HIST10042 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
120 |
Students taking HUMS20002 (Study Abroad) will choose 20 CP from lists A-C additionally
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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List A | |||||
Religion: Contexts and Perspectives | THRS20214 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
List B/C - Choose 40 CP from this list | |||||
Religion and History of Ancient Israel | THRS20219 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Japanese Religions: Practices and Beliefs | THRS20220 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Russian Orthodox Culture | RUSS20044 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
The Body, Gender and Religion | THRS20192 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Introduction to Sanskrit 1 | THRS20188 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level A1 | CLAS20006 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level A1 | CLAS20008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level B1 | CLAS22315 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level B1 | CLAS22307 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Introduction to Hebrew 1 | THRS20224 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Other languages available to years 1, 2 and 3 | |||||
Beginners Japanese | UWLP10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Mandarin Chinese | UWLP10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Pre-intermediate Japanese | UWLP20008 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Pre-intermediate Mandarin Chinese | UWLP20009 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Intermediate Japanese | UWLP30001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Intermediate Mandarin Chinese | UWLP30002 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Advanced Japanese | UWLP30003 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
List D | |||||
Religion: Practices and Ideas | THRS20215 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 | |
List E - Choose 20 CP from this list | |||||
Greco-Roman Judaism | THRS20216 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Heresy and Reform in the Medieval and Early Modern Eras | THRS20208 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Muslims: Beliefs and Practices | THRS20223 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level A2 | CLAS20007 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level B2 | CLAS22316 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level A2 | CLAS20009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level B2 | CLAS22308 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
The Thought of John Calvin | THRS20197 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
List F - Choose 20 CP from this list or an additional 20 CP from list E above | |||||
Take 20 CP From Bristol Futures, UWLP or Faculty Wide Units | OPEN | 20 | Optional | ||
For students who take optional unit HUMS20002, this replaces all of the Year 2 units in TB1 or TB2, including units that are normally mandatory in this programme. | |||||
Study Abroad/ Erasmus | HUMS20002 | 60 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 | |
You may additionally take MODL20018 in TB1 (and 130 credit points in total) in combination with HUMS20002. | |||||
Foreign Language Skills for Semester Abroad Students | MODL20018 | 10 | Optional | F | TB-1 |
120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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List A/B - Choose 40 CP from this list | |||||
Sex, Humour, and Piety: Life in the Ancient and Medieval Buddhist Monastery | THRS30185 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Medieval Mystics and Visionaries in Medieval England | THRS30049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Dead Sea Scrolls | THRS30180 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Political Islam | THRS30184 | 20 | Optional | A,B | TB-1 |
Introduction to Sanskrit 1 | THRS30171 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level A1 | CLAS30006 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level B1 | CLAS30036 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level A1 | CLAS30008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level B1 | CLAS30033 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Other languages available to years 1, 2 and 3 | |||||
Beginners Japanese | UWLP10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Mandarin Chinese | UWLP10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Pre-intermediate Japanese | UWLP20008 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Pre-intermediate Mandarin Chinese | UWLP20009 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Intermediate Japanese | UWLP30001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Advanced Japanese | UWLP30003 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Intermediate Mandarin Chinese | UWLP30002 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
List C - Choose 40CP from this list | |||||
Atheism | THRS30050 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Medieval Mystics and Visionaries in Medieval England | THRS30049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level A2 | CLAS30007 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level A2 | CLAS30009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level B2 | CLAS30034 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
List D/E - Take 40CP | |||||
Dissertation with fieldwork or community placement | THRS30046 | 40 | Optional | D,E | TB-4 |
Dissertation | THRS30100 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Religion and Theology (BA) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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