Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Power, Society and Identity : critical thinkers for the study of religions 2
School	Phil, Theology and Religion
Department	Theology and Religion
Module Code	09 30842
Module Lead	Nicholas Adams
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-30 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Religions, and the study of them, do not exist in a vacuum. Ideas and practices of religion have been deeply influenced by broader understandings of society, identity, and power. This module introduces students, in an accessible manner, to the core texts and concepts of a selection of key modern critical thinkers. The module will examine how each thinker/text impacts on, and can be applied to, theology and the study of religion. By focusing on only a few core texts the module will also build students’ key analytical and critical thinking skills. An indicative list of thinkers includes Agamben, Baudrillard, Butler, Foucault, Habermas, Haraway, bell hooks, Levi-Strauss. Three of these or similar will be studied in any given iteration of the module
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: demonstrate a sound understanding of core concepts relating to modernity, society, identity and power, as introduced and argued through contemporary critical thinkers. apply convincingly the concepts and arguments of the key thinkers/texts studied to questions posed in the disciplines of theology and/or religious studies demonstrate an ability to critically interrogate the logic, arguments and evidence marshalled by the thinkers and in the texts studied.
Assessment	30842-01 : 1500 word Commentary : Coursework (30%) 30842-02 : 2500 word Commentary OR Essay : Coursework (70%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: Commentary on prescribed gobbet from first text , 1,500 words, (30%) AND either Commentary on prescribed gobbet from second or third set text (both will be available) OR Essay on any set text from the list of questions provided, 2,500 words, (70%) Reassessment: Resubmission of failed components as above only if extenuating circumstances apply
Other
Reading List