Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 26/09/2014
College College Arts and Law
School Phil, Theology and Religion
Department Theology and Religion
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.D. Full-time
Programme Code 434A
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 3 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, Christian Theology and the Bible, with focus on both the lived experience of the religion and its historical growth and development in the UK and globally.
To provide opportunities to study relevant languages (such as Biblical Hebrew, Greek and other ancient languages).
To debate philosophical issues and explore some of the ways in which religious themes, ideas, symbols and organisations can be understood in the context of contemporary religious and secular cultures.
To provide students with 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 and skills in identifying issues of race, class, gender and sexuality within theological discourse.
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, offering practical opportunities for placements in such areas as community and youth work, social policy, education, pastoral care, and ministry (via the Placement and Placement-based dissertation where students opt for these modules).
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:
A range of approaches to the study of Theology, Biblical Studies and Christianity which may include historical, cultural-critical, sociological, anthropological and socio-political methods of analysis, exegetical skills, and contemporary hermeneutical approaches
The history, sacred texts, major features and current community manifestations of Christianity.
Some of the major issues and controversies relating to the study of Theology and Biblical Studies 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) and critical openness to the diversity of interpretative methodologies which are now being applied to the Bible.
Lectures, class discussion in seminars and lectures, independent study, potentially through placement and participant observation
Essay and/or examination; groupwork projects; creative portfolios; class presentations
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 and reflect critically on a range of different kinds of text
The ability to plan and carry out an extended piece of independent 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
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
Lectures, small group work and/or seminars, individual tutorials, feedback on formative and summative work, dissertation preparation, individual research supervisions and feedback on drafts, Training sessions in the use of Canvas, electronic databases and the internet, Guidance on effective presentations
Research essays, written examinations, Research proposal and bibliographic essay, Oral presentations, Dissertation