Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 11/11/2022
College College Arts and Law
School Phil, Theology and Religion
Department Theology and Religion
Partner College and School Computer Science
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.A. History and Theology with Year in Computer Science Full-time
Programme Code 959B
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 4 Year(s)
Accreditations This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme To enable students to deepen their critical understanding of both classical and contemporary expressions of Christianity, and Islamic, Jewish, and Sikh identity, with a focus on lived experience and the encounter between different faiths. Some modules focus on religious experience and identity in the UK and continental Europe. Others feature a global dimension.

To provide opportunities to develop relevant research skills for a range of theological and study of religion disciplines, to debate philosophical issues and explore some ways in which religious themes, ideas, symbols, practices and organisations can be understood in the context of contemporary religious and secular cultures.

To offer students opportunities to engage with the latest thinking in the subject by drawing upon the range of internationally recognized research undertaken within the department.

To provide students with a range of methodological tools that will equip them for the study of the many different facets of theology and religion. Such tools may include skills of translation and exegesis, the ability to apply sociological, anthropological and archaeological methods of enquiry, analytical skills in reading a range of cultural 'texts' whether these be monuments, films, web presentations etc., critical skills in reading and writing history, skills in identifying issues of race, class, gender and sexuality within religious discourse, and so forth.

To promote effective communication in both oral and written form by developing students' teamwork, presentational, IT, research and analytical skills (particularly in relating theoretical models to practical examples).

To prepare students for further study and lifelong learning in theology and /or religion, and developing their employability by offering practical opportunities for placements in such areas as community and youth work, education, pastoral care, and ministry, and the sectors such as culture and heritage, politics and policy (via the Professional Skills module and Placement-based dissertation).

For more information please contact the school directly.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
(Theology) A range of approaches to the study of religion which may include sociological, anthropological and socio-political methods of analysis, exegetical skills, and contemporary hermeneutic approaches.
The history, sacred texts, major features and current community manifestations of at least one religious tradition.
Critical methods of studying texts, religious practices and beliefs.
Some of the major issues and controversies relating to the study of theology and religion in a range of contexts.
Awareness of the varieties of religious expression in the contemporary world with opportunities to study the British context more specifically.
(History) A body of historical information characterised by geographical range, thematic breadth and chronological depth
A range of sources available to historians – including, but not limited to, textual primary evidence – and an awareness of both their value and their limitations
The historiographical development of core debates in history, and an appreciation of the reasons for continued controversies;
The conceptual, theoretical, and ideological influences on historical events and processes, and on their interpretation.
The enduring legacies of the past and the relevance of historical knowledge and understanding to the interpretation of contemporary events
(Year Abroad only) Year Abroad only Demonstrate the ability to study relevant topics at an international institution and appreciate the difference between study in the UK and overseas.
(1-5) Lectures, class discussion and/or presentations in seminars and lectures, independent study, reflective discussion, informal presentations..
(6-10) Attendance at and contributions to lectures, seminars, and tutorials, alongside independent study and engagement with digital resources and exercises.
(11) Year Abroad (as delivered by host institution)
(1-3) Essays, alternate written assignments, ,class presentations for certain modules, dissertation (BA only) as contributing element.
(4-5) Essays, alternate written assignments, class presentations for certain modules
(6-10) The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers) of varying lengths Participation in oral presentations of varying length and format, delivered either as an individual or as part of a group
(11) Year Abroad Module (assessment as required by host institution).
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
The ability to construct a critical argument, deploying relevant evidence and contextual considerations, and present this effectively.
The ability to reflect critically on a range of different kinds of text, primarily those in written form but in some cases those in other media including films, visual arts, performance and monuments.
(If the dissertation is taken in Theology and Religion) The ability to plan and carry out an extended piece of individual research that demonstrates the ability to accumulate, organise, synthesise and critically analyse a range of primary and secondary sources with awareness of questions of methodology. This may involve detailed library or archival work or research based on social surveys and participant observation among other techniques.
The ability to present information effectively and to be competent and effective users of IT resources for research purposes, word processing and communication.
The ability to organise a personal programme of study in line with university requirements and to schedule, as well as to evaluate critically their own academic performance.
The ability to study relevant topics at an international institution and appreciate the difference between study in the UK and overseas.
The ability to evaluate, analyse, synthesise, and interpret a wide range of primary and secondary historical material, and to demonstrate an appropriate awareness of the historical contexts in which these materials were produced.
The ability to understand relevant methods and concepts from historical studies and from other related disciplines – including, but not limited to, anthropology, archaeology, economics, political science, and sociology – and to apply these in conjunction with historical evidence.
The ability to communicate ideas and arguments effectively both in writing – across a range of different forms and styles – and orally, displaying appropriate intellectual flexibility and disciplined imagination
Transferable skills relevant to employment, including problem-solving, self-reliance, initiative, adaptability, flexibility, resilience, self-motivation, and competences such as note-taking, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, ability to use and manipulate digital resources and to present information and ideas effectively using ICT.
Independent study skills (self-organisation, initiative and self-direction; time management; autonomous research skills; the ability to collect, organise, synthesise and evaluate information; planning, drafting and editing)
The ability to produce an extended piece of academic writing, drawing on independent study skills acquired on the programme
Ability to work as a member of a team in a range of contexts, including the capacity to listen, to respond flexibly to feedback, to understand diverse perspectives, and to negotiate solutions collectively
Ability to summarise, synthesise, analyse and evaluate others’ arguments, and to formulate their own logical and structured arguments, normally both orally and in writing, with appropriate supporting evidence
Year abroad only: To achieve an enhanced cultural awareness through direct interactions with society and institutions in another country. To develop a range of marketable skills including problem solving, communication, patience and perseverance, determination, self-motivation, analytical and study skills through direct interactions with society and institutions in another country
(1-5) Lectures, small group work and/or seminars, individual tutorials, feedback on formative and summative work, dissertation preparation (if taken), individual research supervisions (if Dissertation taken in Theology and Religion) and Training sessions in the use of Canvas, electronic databases and the internet, Guidance on effective individual and group presentations
(6) Lectures, class discussion in seminars and lectures, independent study. Full participation in the modules registered for at the host University during the Year Abroad
(7-10) Attendance at and contributions to lectures, seminars, and tutorials, alongside independent study and engagement with digital resources and exercises.
(11-12) Engagement in independent Dissertation research.
(13-15) Attendance at and contributions to lectures, seminars, and tutorials, alongside independent study and engagement with digital resources and exercises.
(16) Year Abroad (as delivered by host institution)
(1-2, 4) Research essays, essays, alternate written assignments, literature review (if relevant module taken), individual or group presentations for certain modules, dissertation (BA only) as contributing element.
(3) Research assignments, Dissertation
(5) Research essays, essays, alternate written assignments, literature review (if relevant module taken), reflective essays, individual or group presentations for certain modules
(6) Examinations, essays, and other coursework assignments, group and plenary discussions; Assessed essay and dissertation writing as result of student-led, enquiry-based learning; Formative and summative assessments completed as part of the Year Abroad (7-9) The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers) of varying lengths. Dissertation. (10) Participation in oral presentations of varying length and format, delivered either as an individual or as part of a group. The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers) of varying lengths.
(11)The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers) of varying lengths. (for BA only) Dissertation. (12) Dissertation
(13-14) The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers) of varying lengths Participation in oral presentations of varying length and format, delivered either as an individual or as part of a group.
(15) Year Abroad Module (assessment as required by host institution).