Aims

To introduce students to themes and perspectives in philosophy and theology. The Philosophy and Religion module aims to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and issues in philosophy and religion. Students will be encouraged to critically analyze and evaluate different arguments and perspectives, and to develop their own philosophical and religious perspectives. Through the module, students will gain an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of philosophical and religious traditions, and will be able to engage in informed and respectful dialogue with those philosophical and theological concepts from diverse traditions and perspectives.

Outline Of Syllabus

The aim of this module is to introduce students to new ways of thinking about God and religion in the revolutionary social and theological time-period spanning the late 15th/16th centuries. This is the Protestant Revolution of Martin Luther and Jean Calvin, whose impact is still felt across the world today. After this, students will explore a radical critique of religious ideas and institutions by examining key thinkers in the European Enlightenment such as Voltaire (18th century) and Nietzsche (19th century). The module also explores a selection of the gods of Ancient Egypt, the status of animals in that theological system, and the relation of humans to those gods. Students engage with texts from different periods. At the end of this module students will have developed:

• A broad based knowledge and understanding of some of the key texts. Knowledge of key shifts in philosophical/theological thought.
• An awareness of diverse accounts of what words such as ‘god’ might mean.
• An insight into relations between humans and deities.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide students with broad introductions to various texts/thinkers/themes, while seminars provide the opportunity for closer textual engagement and discussions with lecturers/tutors and fellow students.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The essay is based on the material covered in the module and provides students with the opportunity to further research topics of interest. The essay tests the ability to think creatively, self-critically and independently. This assessment method also gauges students’ ability to move between generalisation and appropriately detailed discussion, to cite relevant texts and interpret them adequately, to discover examples in support of or to challenge a position, and to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant considerations.