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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Religious Studies BA (Hons)
This is a part-time, full-time single honours programme within the Religious Studies subject area.
Key facts
- Subject area: Religious Studies
- Award: BA (Hons)
- Code: V616
- Location: Canterbury
- Honours: Single
- Mode of study: Part-time, Full-time
- Duration: 3 years
- Start: 2013
- Year in industry: No
- Year abroad: Yes
- Institution(s): University of Kent
Overview
Religion is a vital element in human culture, and today religious issues are everywhere – from current affairs and international events, to the history of ideas, art and literature, and our own immediate experience and environment. Religious Studies at Kent involves investigating and discussing these ideas, experiences, practices and institutions, through texts, films, historical data and directly observing the world today.
Kent offers a range of modules reflecting the central place of religion in human life and thought. Some modules provide introductions to major world religions; others investigate philosophical themes within religious studies; and others explore connections between religion and topics such as psychology, science, ethics, popular culture, films, literature and the arts.
Canterbury is a well-known centre in world religion, and the University has strong links with the Cathedral library and archives.
Modules
Stage 1
Core modulesSingle honours students take one core module:
- What is Religion?
Plus three modules from the list below:
- An Introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism
- Christianity through 2000 Years
- Gods of the Desert: Judaism and Islam
- Religion and Sex
- Religion in the Contemporary World
- What is Christian Theology?
You choose your remaining credits from a range available in the Faculty of Humanities.
Stage 2/3
If you are taking a single honours degree, you complete Issues in Religious Studies (Stage 2) and a Religious Studies Dissertation (Stage 3) and up to six of the modules listed below. Other options are available from a wide range in the Faculty of Humanities.
If you are taking joint honours, you should choose four from the list below, together with the required modules in your other subject.
Core modules- Dissertaion (single honours students at Stage 3 only)
- Issues in Religious Studies (Single honours students at Stage 2)
- Anthropology of Religion
- Buddhism: Its Essence and Development
- Christianity and Ethics
- Continental Philosophy of Religion
- Death of God? Christianity and the Modern World
- Hindu Religious Thought
- History and Literature in Early Christianity: Luke – Acts
- Issues in Religious Studies
- Modern Islam: Liberal and Fundamentalist Thought
- Philosophy, Religion and Political Economy
- Psychology and Religion
- Religion and Film
- Religion and Globalisation
- The Sacred and Contemporary Culture
- Science and Religion
- Sociology of Religion
- William James: Philosopher, Psychologist and
- Scholar of Religion
Year abroad
You have the opportunity to study at a partner university for a term or a whole year, to experience an international environment. Religious Studies students currently have a wide range of opportunities in Canada, the USA, China, Hong Kong; with more partnerships hoped for in the near future. You may also wish to pursue a European exchange through the Erasmus Exchange scheme.
Please see the Go abroad webpages for further details.
Teaching and assessment
You are usually taught in small groups, with most modules involving either two or three hours per week in class, plus individual consultations with teachers as well as sessions on computing and library skills.
Stage 1 modules are normally assessed by 100% coursework. At Stages 2 and 3, some modules are assessed by 100% coursework (such as essays), others by a combination of formal examination and coursework.
Careers
Through your study, you gain the key transferable skills considered essential by graduate employers. These include excellent communication skills, both written and oral, them ability to work in a team and independently, the ability to analyse and summarise complex material and devise innovative and well thought-out solutions to problems.
Recent graduates have gone into areas such as teaching, publishing, travel, advertising, personnel, diplomacy, social work, journalism, media, marketing and the legal profession, or further academic or vocational qualifications.
For more information on the services Kent provides to improve your employment prospects, visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability
Entry requirements
Passing the Kent IFP with an overall average of 50%, including 60% in academic skills guarantees you entry onto the first year of this degree programme.
Offer levels
BBB at A level, IB Diploma 33 points or IB Diploma with 16 points at Higher.
Required subjects
A level Religious Studies or Theology grade B where taken.
Further information
School
Enquiries:
T: +44 (0)1227 827272
Key Information Sets
The Key Information Set (KIS) data (right) is compiled by UNISTATS and draws from a variety of sources which includes the National Student Survey and the Higher Education Statistical Agency. The data for assessment and contact hours is compiled from the most populous modules (to the total of 120 credits for an academic session) for this particular degree programme. Depending on module selection, there may be some variation between the KIS data and an individual's experience. For further information on how the KIS data is compiled please see the UNISTATS website.
If you have any queries about a particular programme, please contact information@kent.ac.uk