Overview

The BA (Hons) Theology and Religion at the University of Exeter explores religious traditions, theological ideas and the ways religion has influenced societies and cultures. The course brings together biblical studies, theology, ethics, philosophy and the academic study of religion, enabling students to examine belief, practice and religious thought from critical and interdisciplinary perspectives.

What You'll Learn

• The academic study of religion and different approaches to understanding religious belief and practice.

• The Bible, including its historical contexts, interpretation and continuing cultural influence.

• Christian theology and key questions concerning God, faith, belief and contemporary society.

• The origins and development of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

• Ethics and philosophical approaches to religious questions.

• Religion, politics, culture and contemporary social issues.

• Religion and science, including debates concerning the environment and other contemporary challenges.

• Religious communities, material culture, spirituality and lived religious experience.

• Biblical languages and approaches to interpreting religious texts.

• Research methods, source evaluation, critical thinking and independent academic investigation.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyse religious traditions, theological ideas and philosophical arguments using appropriate academic approaches. They will understand how religious beliefs and practices have developed within historical, cultural and social contexts and be able to assess different interpretations of religious sources. Students will develop skills in close textual analysis, source evaluation and independent research, while learning to recognise bias and consider competing perspectives. They will also be able to construct reasoned arguments, evaluate evidence and communicate complex ideas clearly in written and spoken forms.