Course Details in

Module Title	LH Doing or Not Doing God? Religion, Policy & Politics
School	School of Social Policy
Department	Soc Policy, Sociology & Crimin
Module Code	08 25981
Module Lead	Chris Allen
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-20 hours External Visits-10 hours Guided independent study-150 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	In the last quarter of a century, religion in the social and political spaces has undergone significant change. Increasing religious diversity, changing individual and community identities, new forms of governmental partnership as indeed the impact of global events such as 9/11 have all impacted on different aspects of social policy. For some, religion is seen to be a positive resource, one that has helped to: shape and inform collective and individual morals; create and utilise social capital; and, amongst others, function as a partner to government in tackling a wide range of social problems and ills. On the other, it is seen more problematically as: a divisive force; receiving preferential treatment; going against the values of a secular liberal democracy; and in its more extreme manifestations, as a very real threat to safety and security. This module seeks to critically explore these and other questions to explore the relationship between religion and social policy. Beginning with a consideration of key terms and ideas, this module will explore the historical role played by religion and religious organisations in the development of many areas of traditional social policy. Focusing on the re-emergence of religion in public life since the mid-1980s, case studies will be used to investigate contemporary policy issues. These might indicatively include: euthanasia; equalities and discrimination; faith schools; citizenship, Britishness and religious identity; religious political engagement; gender and sexual orientation.
Learning Outcomes	Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary changes in relation to religion and religious communities and the policy, political and social impacts Critically analyse the role of religion and religious institutions in the historical and contemporary development of British social policy Examine particular areas of policy which contemporarily influence the construction and function of religion in the political and social spaces
Assessment	25981-07 : Three Hour Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: 3 hour exam (100% of the mark)
Other
Reading List