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Religious Studies Courses
| The Religious Studies
department offers five courses at second and third levels. Three of these focus
on aspects of contemporary religion and two are concerned with aspects of
Victorian religion. You will find short descriptions of all of these courses
below, in some cases with links to their websites for further
information. You may also read detailed course descriptions online by following this link. These not only describe the materials you will study, but also give information about entry requirements and how and when to apply. You can even reserve a place or register online. Would you like to find out more about what studying with the Open University? Follow this link if you are new to the OU. |
AD317 Religion Today: Tradition, Modernity and Change (level 3)
If you are particularly interested in contemporary religion, you might like to find out more about AD317 Religion Today: Tradition, Modernity and Change. The variety of religious phenomena and issues covered by this course range from religion on the internet to modern magic, from present-day Druids to depictions of divinity in film and television, from Buddhist environmentalism to Islamic perspectives on human rights, from feminist views of religion to evangelical Christianity, from civil religion to alternative spirituality. Studying topics like this allows you to encounter diverse examples of contemporary belief and practice.
Visit AD317's website »Do bear in mind that Religion Today is a level 3 course, which builds on study skills and subject knowledge from previous studies at levels 1 and 2. If you are not confident that you have the necessary skills to study at this level, consider starting with one of our level 2 courses, or with An Introduction to the Humanities.
A217 Introducing Religions (level 2)
This course offers an introduction to the study of religions, and to six living religious traditions that have had – and continue to have – a major influence on world affairs: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. It will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of different practices and beliefs, and of the religious dimension in current affairs, while developing skills of analysis and evaluation that will benefit future studies in religion and other academic disciplines. It will also help you to understand the concepts and principles underpinning a wide range of worldviews and lifestyles, past and present.
Visit A217's website »AD252 Islam in the West: The Politics of Co-existence (level 2)
In studying Islam in the West, you'll examine the challenges posed by and for Islam and Muslims living in Western Europe and North America, as well as being introduced to those communities in something of their richness and diversity. After a brief orientation to Muslim beliefs and the history of relations between the Islamic world and the West, you'll study the adaptation and development of Muslim communities in the West, debates in the public arena around multiculturalism, citizenship and democracy, and the perspectives of Muslim believers as they struggle to work out what being a Muslim in the West means, in the light of both Islamic traditions and Western cultures.
Read more about this course »AA307 Religion in History: Conflict, Conversion and Co-existence (level 3)
This course expands interests in religious studies and/or history. Why has religion led to conflict? Does conversion matter? When is peaceful coexistence possible? In exploring these questions you will move in time from the Roman Empire to September 11, 2001, and in space between Britain, Europe, India, the Middle East, Africa and the United States.
Visit AA307's website »AA100 The Arts Past and Present (level 1)
This is a broadly focused course that introduces you to university-level study in the Arts across a range of subject areas, including history, art history, philosophy, classics, history of science, religious studies, music and English. The course is presented in four themed books that guide you through some of the basic concerns of Arts subjects. By studying these, you'll acquire essential skills and perspectives for continuing with your studies. Topics include how the Dalai Lama's reputation has been constructed, religious dissent in England (including the cataclysmic story of the Reformation in England), and an exploration of how we might interpret sacred spaces.
Visit AA100's website »