Religious Studies

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This subtopic examines philosophical and theological responses to the problem of evil, including the logical and evidential challenges to theistic belief. Students analyse classical theodicies and modern defences, evaluating their coherence and relevance. The focus is on developing critical thinking skills to assess how suffering impacts religious faith and the nature of a benevolent deity.

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Philosophical issues and questions: Arguments for the existence of God (Design, Cosmological, Ontological)

This topic explores the main contemporary philosophical arguments for the existence of God, specifically the Design, Cosmological, and Ontological arguments. It examines the nature of these arguments, their strengths and weaknesses, and the contributions of key scholars.

The nature and influence of religious experience

This topic explores the nature and influence of religious experience, including various types of experience, their interpretation, and their role as arguments for the existence of God. It examines physiological, naturalistic, and psychological explanations alongside theistic and monistic perspectives, with a focus on the works of William James, Rudolf Otto, Richard Swinburne, John Hick, Michael Persinger, and Richard Dawkins.

Problems of evil and suffering

This topic explores the philosophical problem of evil and suffering, focusing on the challenge it poses to the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God. It covers the nature of evil, various theodicies, and solutions to the problem of suffering.

Religious language

This topic explores the philosophical challenges surrounding religious language, examining whether it is meaningful, how it functions, and how it differs from other forms of language such as scientific or empirical discourse. It covers key theories including analogy, symbol, verification, falsification, and language games.

Works of scholars: Critiques of religious belief (Dawkins and Westphal; Russell and Copleston)

This topic explores critiques of religious belief through the works of key scholars. It covers the respective strengths and weaknesses of religious beliefs, alternative explanations, issues of probability, and postmodern interpretations. It includes a specific comparative study between the critic Bertrand Russell and the religious believer Frederick Copleston, focusing on the argument from contingency and religious experience.

Influences of developments in religious belief: Life after death and religion and science debates

This topic explores philosophical and scientific perspectives on life after death and the relationship between religion and science. It covers various concepts of the afterlife, the mind-body relationship, and the compatibility of religious belief with scientific methodologies and cosmologies.

Significant concepts in issues or debates in religion: Environmental ethics and equality

This topic explores significant concepts in environmental ethics and equality within religion and ethics. It covers stewardship, animal welfare, sustainability, and climate change, alongside concepts of equality (gender, race, disability), and the work of significant figures in these campaigns, evaluated through religious and secular ethical perspectives.

A study of three ethical theories: Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, and Natural Moral Law

A study of three ethical theories: Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, and Natural Moral Law, focusing on their concepts, historical development, application to ethical situations, and their strengths and weaknesses in relation to religious and secular perspectives.

Application of ethical theories to issues of importance: War and peace, and Sexual ethics

This topic covers the application of ethical theories to the issues of war and peace, and sexual ethics. It involves examining religious and secular perspectives on these issues, including the Just War Theory, pacifism, and diverse approaches to sexual relationships, marriage, and contraception.

Ethical language: Meta-ethics and the relationship between religion and morality

This topic explores meta-ethics, focusing on the nature of ethical language (cognitive vs. non-cognitive, realism vs. anti-realism) and the relationship between religion and morality, including autonomy, heteronomy, and divine command theory.

Deontology, Virtue Ethics and the works of scholars: A comparison of Immanuel Kant and Aristotle

A comparative study of Deontology (Immanuel Kant) and Virtue Ethics (Aristotle), focusing on their respective ethical theories, influences, and applications to contemporary moral issues.

Medical ethics: Issues in medical ethics with a focus on beginning and end of life

This topic explores medical ethics with a specific focus on the beginning and end of life, examining the status of the embryo, abortion, assisted dying, euthanasia, and palliative care through religious and secular perspectives.

Social, historical and religious context of the New Testament: Prophecy regarding the Messiah and the world of the first century

This topic explores the social, historical, and religious context of the New Testament, specifically focusing on Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah and the first-century world of Jesus.

Texts and interpretation of the Person of Jesus: The Prologue in John, titles of Jesus, and miracles and signs

This topic covers the interpretation of the Person of Jesus through the Prologue in John, the significance of various titles of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels and John, and the meaning and significance of the signs and miracles in the Fourth Gospel.

Interpreting the text and issues of relationship, purpose and authorship

This topic focuses on the critical and scholarly study of the New Testament, specifically examining the synoptic problem, the purpose and authorship of the Fourth Gospel, and various methods of biblical interpretation.

Ways of interpreting Scripture

This topic explores the various ways in which Scripture is interpreted, focusing on the nature of the Bible as inspired, different senses of scripture (literal, allegorical, moral), and post-Enlightenment biblical interpretation models (rational, historical, sociological, and literary). It includes the study of key scholars such as Barth and Bultmann.

Texts and interpretation: The Kingdom of God in Luke, the death of Jesus, and the crucifixion and resurrection narratives

This topic explores the theological and historical interpretations of the Kingdom of God in Luke's Gospel, the reasons for Jesus' death, and the significance of the crucifixion and resurrection narratives in Luke, including modern scholarly challenges.

Scientific and historical-critical challenges, faith and history, and ethical living

This topic explores the intersection of scientific and historical-critical challenges with faith, the nature of the resurrection of Jesus in modern scholarship, and the application of Jesus' ethical teachings to contemporary life.

Buddhism – Religious beliefs, values and teachings: The Four Noble Truths as the basis of Buddhism

The Four Noble Truths serve as the foundational framework for Buddhist teaching, encompassing the nature of suffering (dukkha), its cause (samudaya/tanha), its cessation (nirodha), and the path to that cessation (magga). This topic explores these truths alongside the Three Poisons, the Eightfold Path, and the Three-fold Way (ethics, meditation, and wisdom), examining their interpretation and application across Theravada and Mahayana traditions.

Buddhism – Sources of wisdom and authority: The life and work of the Buddha and the Tipitaka

This topic explores the life and work of the Buddha, including key events and teachings, and the significance, interpretation, and structure of the Tipitaka as a source of wisdom and authority in Buddhism.

Buddhism – Practices that shape and express religious identity: Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, and meditation

This topic explores the practices that shape and express religious identity in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, with a specific focus on the role, purpose, and techniques of meditation.

Buddhism – Social and historical developments: The spread of Buddhism, Triratna Buddhism, and the role of women

This topic explores the social and historical evolution of Buddhism, focusing on its geographical spread, the emergence of Triratna Buddhism as a response to Western secularization, and the changing roles of women and men within the tradition.

Buddhism – Works of scholars: Comparison of the bodhisattva doctrine

A comparative study of the bodhisattva doctrine in Buddhism, focusing on the works of scholars Arthur Basham and Walpola Rahula, the Mahayana doctrine as found in the Lotus Sutra, the stages and perfections of the Bodhisattva path, and debates regarding the doctrine's context in Theravada Buddhism and the transfer of karmic merit.

Buddhism – Religion and society: The interpretation and application of ahimsa in the modern world

This topic explores the interpretation and application of the Buddhist principle of ahimsa (non-harming) within the context of the modern world, specifically focusing on how it influences lifestyle choices, ethical decisions, and social involvement.

Christianity – Religious beliefs, values and teachings: The nature of God as personal and as Creator, the Trinity, the nature of the Church, and key moral principles

This topic explores core Christian beliefs regarding the nature of God as personal and Creator, the doctrine of the Trinity, the nature of the Church, and the foundational moral principle of love.

Christianity – Sources of wisdom and authority: The Bible and the nature and role of Jesus

This topic explores the nature and role of Jesus within Christianity, focusing on historical, theological, and modern interpretations of his identity, work, and significance, alongside the Bible as a source of wisdom and authority.

Christianity – Practices that shape and express religious identity: The diversity of practice in the Eucharist

This topic explores the diversity of practice in the Eucharist within Christianity, focusing on the importance of sacraments, varying interpretations of the Eucharist, and the experience of believers.

Christianity – Social and historical developments: Science, secularisation, and new movements in theology

This topic explores the intersection of Christianity with modern scientific challenges, the phenomenon of secularisation, and the emergence of new theological movements, examining their impact on Christian belief and practice.

Christianity – Works of scholars: Atonement theory; comparison of Karl Barth and John Hick

A comparative study of the works of Karl Barth and John Hick regarding atonement theory, focusing on their contrasting theological perspectives on the death of Jesus, the nature of sin, and the implications for Christian doctrine and interfaith dialogue.

Christianity – Religion and society: Pluralism and diversity, and equality and discrimination

This topic explores the sociological reality of multicultural societies and the philosophical concept of pluralism within Christianity. It examines Christian responses to other religions, the ecumenical movement, and the theological debates surrounding equality and discrimination, specifically focusing on gender roles and the ministry of the Church.

Hinduism – Religious beliefs, values and teachings: Beliefs about Brahman, avatars, and key moral principles

This topic explores core Hindu theological and ethical concepts, specifically the nature of Brahman, the role of avatars (Krishna, Rama, and Shakti), and key moral principles including dharma, karma, and ahimsa.

Hinduism – Sources of wisdom and authority: Emergence of Hindu traditions

This topic covers the historical and archaeological origins of Hinduism, including the Indus Valley culture, the role of early Vedic worship, and the development of sacred texts (Shruti and Smriti). It examines the significance of these origins and the breadth of scriptural authority in Hinduism.

Hinduism – Practices that shape and express religious identity: Sanatana dharma and yoga

This topic explores the practices that shape and express religious identity in Hinduism, specifically focusing on the concept of Sanatana dharma and the various types and purposes of yoga.

Hinduism – Social and historical developments: Movements (Neo-Vedanta, Ramakrishna Mission, Arya Samaj, Hindutva)

This topic explores the modern development of Hinduism, focusing on the challenges posed by foreign rule, Christian and Islamic influences, and secularisation. It examines key movements (Neo-Vedanta, Ramakrishna Mission, Arya Samaj, Hindutva) and the contributions of key figures (Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Mohan Roy, Sri Ramakrishna, Dayananda Saraswati) to the Hindu renaissance and their impact on political, social, and religious systems.

Hinduism – Works of scholars: Comparative study of Shankara and Ramanuja

A comparative study of the Vedanta traditions of Shankara and Ramanuja, focusing on their respective contexts, key beliefs (atman, Brahman, samsara, moksha, dharma), and their influence on Advaita Vedanta and bhakti schools.

Hinduism – Religion and society: Pluralism and diversity, and equality and discrimination

This topic explores the concepts of religious pluralism and diversity within Hinduism, alongside the ethical dimensions of equality and discrimination, including caste, gender, and liberationist approaches.

Islam – Religious beliefs, values and teachings: The Six Beliefs and key moral principles

This topic covers the foundational religious beliefs, values, and teachings of Islam, specifically focusing on the Six Beliefs, the life and significance of the Prophet Muhammad, the authority of the Qur'an and Hadith, and the application of these to moral principles and daily life, including Sunni and Shi'a perspectives.

Islam – Sources of wisdom and authority: The life and work of the Prophet Muhammad, the Hadith and Sunnah, and the Qur'an

This topic explores the life and work of the Prophet Muhammad, the authority and interpretation of the Qur'an, and the role of the Hadith and Sunnah as sources of wisdom and authority in Islam.

Islam – Practices that shape and express religious identity: The Five Pillars and the ummah

This topic explores the Five Pillars of Islam as the central framework for living in submission to Allah and as a means of shaping and expressing religious identity. It also examines the concept of the ummah, its historical development, and its role in contemporary society within both Sunni and Shi'a Islam.

Islam – Social and historical developments: Sunni and Shi'a differences, the Rightly Guided Caliphs, Sufism, and Islam and science

This topic explores the social and historical developments within Islam, focusing on the origins and features of Sunni and Shi'a differences, the significance of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the development of Sufism as a mystical movement, and the relationship between Islam and science.

Islam – Works of scholars: Comparative study of Jihad

A comparative study of the doctrine of Jihad in the works of scholars Tariq Ramadan and Majid Khadduri, focusing on the concepts of greater and lesser jihad, the subjection of the nafs, and the interpretation of jihad through close textual analysis of the Qur'an.

Islam – Religion and society: Multi-faith societies, pluralism, gender, and interfaith dialogue

This topic explores the challenges and responses within Islam regarding multi-faith societies, pluralism, religious freedom, interfaith dialogue, and gender roles, including the impact of secularisation and the modern Western world.

Judaism – Religious beliefs, values and teachings: Ethical monotheism, God's revelation in the Torah and Talmud, and values

This topic explores the core beliefs and values of Judaism, focusing on ethical monotheism, the nature of God as Creator and Sustainer, and the significance of revelation through the Torah and Talmud. It examines the obligations between humans and God, the concept of the chosen people, and how these beliefs shape Jewish identity, life, and death across different traditions.

Judaism – Sources of wisdom and authority: Tenakh (Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim) and the development of Rabbinic Judaism

This topic explores the sources of wisdom and authority in Judaism, specifically the Tenakh (Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim) and the development of Rabbinic Judaism, including the roles of key figures and the impact of their interpretations on Jewish identity and belief.

Judaism – Practices that shape and express religious identity: Orthodox and Reform Judaism

This topic explores the practices that shape and express religious identity within Orthodox and Reform Judaism, focusing on their respective interpretations of Halakhah, revelation, synagogue services, and the influence of historical movements like the Haskalah.

Judaism – Social and historical developments: Modern development of Judaism, Zionism, and the Holocaust

This topic explores the modern development of Judaism, focusing on the historical and religious impact of Zionism, the Holocaust, and the challenges of secularisation and science on Jewish identity and belief.

Judaism – Works of scholars: Comparative study of Maimonides and Moses Mendelssohn

A comparative study of the works of Maimonides and Moses Mendelssohn, focusing on their respective contexts, key contributions to Judaism, and their influence on modern Jewish thought.

Judaism – Religion and society: Religious pluralism and equality and discrimination

This topic explores the challenges of multi-faith societies, religious pluralism, and issues of equality and discrimination within Judaism, including the impact of migration, interfaith dialogue, and gender roles.

Sikhism – Religious beliefs, values and teachings: Sikhs and the divine, the importance of sangat, and key moral principles

This topic explores the Sikh understanding of the divine (Waheguru), the significance of the sangat (community) in spiritual and social life, and the application of key moral principles such as Nam Japna, Kirt Karna, Vand Chakna, and Seva.

Sikhism – Sources of wisdom and authority: The Guru Granth Sahib and the lives of the ten Gurus

This topic explores the sources of wisdom and authority in Sikhism, specifically focusing on the Guru Granth Sahib and the lives and teachings of the ten Gurus as exemplars for the Sikh community.

Sikhism – Practices that shape and express religious identity: The affirmation of a distinctive Sikh identity and the Singh Sabha movements

This topic explores the affirmation of a distinctive Sikh identity, focusing on the historical developments of the late 19th century, specifically the Singh Sabha movements, and their impact on Sikh practice and identity.

Sikhism – Social and historical developments: The impact of migration, secularisation and non-Sikh culture on the Sikh Diaspora

This topic explores the social and historical developments within Sikhism, specifically focusing on the impact of migration, secularisation, and non-Sikh culture on the Sikh Diaspora. It examines how these external pressures influence Sikh beliefs, values, and practices, including issues of assimilation, identity, and the adaptation of religious life in a global context.

Sikhism – Works of scholars: The importance of the feminine principle in Sikh thought (N K Singh and D Jakobsh)

This topic explores the importance of the feminine principle in Sikh thought, focusing on the works of scholars N K Singh and D Jakobsh. It examines the role of women within Sikhism, feminist approaches to the tradition, and the contrast between feminist themes in scripture and history versus their under-reporting in mainstream accounts.

Sikhism – Religion and society: Religious freedom, tolerance, and responses to pluralism and diversity

This topic explores the Sikh perspective on religious freedom, tolerance, and the response to pluralism and diversity, including the collection of testimony from diverse traditions in the Guru Granth Sahib, interfaith relations, and the use of reason and evidence in religious life.