Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Women and Embodiment in Religious Ritual Practices
School	Phil, Theology and Religion
Department	Theology and Religion
Module Code	09 30974
Module Lead	Yafa Shanneik
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Tutorial-10 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module provides students with a range of theoretical perspectives which critically assess understandings of gender and embodiment in religious ritual practices. The module will particularly focus on the female body and its conceptualisation, instrumentalisation and role within various religious communities. Through empirical case studies, students will be able to investigate and discuss the politics of the female body and how it is contested within the social, political and cultural manifestations of particular religious worldviews
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: reflect critically upon various theoretical approaches to the study of embodiment, based on the intersection between Gender Studies and Religious Studies utilise and adopt these theoretical approaches on empirical case studies in order to understand the wider role of the body in ritual practices develop and demonstrate an understanding of how ideas about particularly the female body are socially, culturally and religious shaped build wide interdisciplinary theoretical and research skills such as Gender Studies approaches to embodiment or the use of art as a methodological tool when researching the role of the body in ritual practices
Assessment	30974-03 : Art Production + Essay : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: Two interrelated assignments: Art production (40%): Based on one empirical case study covered during the semester, students will be asked to produce a piece of art that engages with the topic of the case study. The art work will be produced during lecture time to enable the support of the coordinator. Art material will be provided by the module coordinator. Pictures of the art work will be taken and added to the second part of the assignment (essay) in order to enable students to reflect on their art work in writing. This will also enable the External Examiner to access the art work. No artistic skills are required for the production of the piece of art:. The quality of the art will not be assessed. Students will be assessed based on their ability to expand their research skills by using art as a research method and to create a narrative that articulates research analysis and findings through both the art work and the essay. Students will receive clear guidance and support in acquiring the tools needed to produce a first-class piece of art through a seminar and information published on canvas. The art should be produced individually. Essay 2500 words (60%): the essay should have two components which will be weighted equally: 1) a critical analysis of the empirical case study; 2) a reflection on the student’s experience in producing the art work. Reassessment: As above. Only if there are extenuating circumstances for the failed elements only
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