Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LI Science, Belief and Society
School	Phil, Theology and Religion
Department	Theology and Religion
Module Code	09 36087
Module Lead	Fern Elsdon-Baker, Rachael Shillitoe, James Riley, Will Mason-Wilkes
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-10 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Science, Belief and Society is an introductory module exploring the social-scientific and historical study of the relationship between science, secularism, spiritual and (non-)religious belief systems. Investigating both historical and contemporary perspectives, this module covers a range of topics from the emergence and popularisation of the ‘conflict thesis’ from the 19th century onwards, to examining public attitudes toward, and media representations of, science and religion in our everyday lives. This module will provide students with a detailed understanding of the social and cultural context of the relationship between ‘science’ and ‘religion’ and public perceptions of this across religious and non-religious settings. Students are encouraged to reflect upon the (geo)political and global cultural contexts that inform representations of the dynamics between science and religion. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on historical, sociological, social-psychological and media studies, this module offers students the opportunity to think critically about science, knowledge, identity and belief, and evaluate commonly held assumptions about the interrelation of science and religion in society. Taking a research-led approach, this module examines the ways in which evolutionary science and other ‘hot topic’ controversies have been viewed over the past 150 years and up to the present day, how particular positions and attitudes emerge, and in what ways representations of a conflict between science and religion in public discourse relate to individuals’ own perceptions.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the history of science and religion and the popularisation/emergence of the conflict thesis; Apply key concepts within sociology, psychology, history and media studies to central issues found within the study of science and religion in society; Analyse and reflect on existing debates in the study of science and belief in society, engaging with debates in media studies, psychology, sociology and history; Demonstrate an understanding of the range of methodological and disciplinary approaches to the study of science and religion and what these approaches can add to our understanding of relationship between science and belief in society.
Assessment	36087-01 : 1000 Word Blog Post OR 1500 Word Critical Reflection : Coursework (50%) 36087-02 : 2500 Word Essay : Coursework (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1 x 2,500 word Essay (50%) AND EITHER 1 x 1500 word Critical Reflection (50%) OR 1 x 1500 word Blog Post (50%). Reassessment: Resit the failed component(s) if it results in failure of the module.
Other
Reading List