Skip to main content

Unit information: Religion: Practices and Ideas in 2022/23

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Religion: Practices and Ideas
Unit code THRS20215
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. David Leech
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

Building on the general foundations of the first-year units, this unit examines specific and prominent ideas and practices found in different religious traditions, past and present, with an emphasis on at least two different methodologies. Students will take two parallel sets of weekly lectures and seminars taught by two different members of staff. The tutor of each seminar will guide students through the examination and discussion of key religious practices, critical concepts, methodologies, or even specific time periods. Each seminar will have its unique content and set of questions, aimed at providing students with a strong thematic understanding of religion and its lived dimensions. The joint examination of two different religious contexts and body of ideas aims at stimulating students to think beyond received notions of what it means to be religious.

Students will work in groups on a formative, collaborative presentation and will receive feedback on their work.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge of a body of religious material through critical reading and engaged discussion;
  2. demonstrate methodological rigour in the study of religion and theology appropriate to level I/5;
  3. identify and critically evaluate pertinent evidence/data in order to illustrate/demonstrate a coherent argument in both oral and written form appropriate to level I/5.
  4. critically discuss the relationship between different religious practices and religious ideas.

How you will learn

Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.

How you will be assessed

1 x timed assessment (100%) [ILOs 1-4]

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THRS20215).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

Feedback