| Unit name | The Philosophy of Religion |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS20102 |
| 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 |
n/a |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
This unit provides you with an exciting introduction to contemporary discussions in the philosophy of religion in a field of vital interest to questions of meaning and which continue to be hotly debated today. Through an in-depth focus on a range of key contemporary topics in the philosophy of religion, you will develop your skills in philosophical reading, writing and argumentation while engaging with fascinating and important philosophical issues of existential interest to all of us.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Specialist subject options are offered in the second and third years of the Religion and Theology programmes. Specialist subject options are available to students on Liberal Arts programmes and to postgraduates. The portfolio of units available will change from year to year based on staff availability, but it will consistently represent a full range of research strengths across the Religion and Theology department, as well as demonstrating our commitment to supporting choice and providing increased optionality as students progress through their programme.
An overview of content
The philosophy of religion is a wide and varied philosophical discipline that cuts across ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology. The unit introduces students to some central debates in contemporary philosophy of religion. Questions covered will include issues connected with the coherence of the concept of God; the relationship between theism and morality; the justification of religious belief; religious experience; and the apparent tension between contemporary science and religion. Through an engagement with a range of key topics in the philosophy of religion, it develops student skills in philosophical reading, writing and argumentation.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will become familiar with central issues within the philosophy of religion, encountering a range of contemporary discussions in the field of vital relevance to questions of meaning. You will develop an ability to form your own well-informed views and provide argumentative justification for your positions with respect to these issues. You will develop skills in philosophical reading, writing and argumentation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
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.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
750-word portfolio (0%, Not Required for Credit) [ILOs 1-4]
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
2000-word summative essay (100%) [ILOs 1-4]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
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. THRS20102).
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 University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
