| Unit name | Approaches to the Study of Religion |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS20098 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Muessig |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Pre-requisites |
none |
| Co-requisites |
none |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
In this unit, students will encounter a variety of disciplines, key theories and core approaches to the study of religion, examining in particular theological, sociological, anthropological, psychological, philosophical and comparative approaches. These disciplinary approaches will be illuminated by relevant examples drawn from the disciplines of the specialists lecturers who are teaching the unit. John R. Hinnels, The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion (2009; also available as an ebook), will provide the core reading material for the unit. The aim of this unit is to equip students of religion and theology with a sound theoretical understanding of the key disciplines and approaches which shape their study of this discipline.
On successful completion of this unit students will have: (1) developed a detailed and in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the main approaches to the academic study of religion today; (2) developed an in-depth and thorough understanding of the theoretical ideas that have shaped the various scholarly approaches to religion(s); (3) demonstrated an ability to critically analyse and evaluate some of the main scholarly approaches to religion(s); (4) demonstrated the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent evidence/data in order to clearly and fully illustrate/demonstrate a cogent argument.
2 x 1-hour lecture per week
One unseen examination of three hours comprising three questions out of 8.
The exam will assess (1) students’ detailed and in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the main approaches currently adopted within the academic study of religion; (2) students’ thorough grasp of the theoretical ideas that have shaped these various approaches; and (3) students’ ability to analyse and evaluate critically some of the main approaches to the study of religion and (4) the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent evidence/data in order to clearly and fully illustrate/demonstrate a cogent argument.
• John R. Hinnels, The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion (Second Edition; London: Routledge, 2009) • Seth Kunin & Jonathan Miles-Watson, Theories of Religion: A Reader (Edinburgh: EUP, 2006) • Russell T. McCutcheon, Studying Religion: An Introduction (London: Equinox, 2007). • Susan Mumm, Religion Today: A Reader (London: Ashgate, 2002).
