Theology and Religious Studies MA

This module provides students with an opportunity to study a topic which builds on and develops their previous and/or current biblical studies.

• To encourage students to work independently in pursuing a defined topic of personal interest in biblical studies.
• To give students an opportunity to select, define and focus on an area of special interest.
• With tutorial support, to enable students to develop in critical and evaluative skills appropriate to the assignment.

A topic is chosen relating to a student's programme aims and learning outcomes, and to their personal and/or professional interests.

The dissertation is based upon guided, but largely independent, research.

Research methodology forms part of supervision (supported by optional departmental PG training sessions) and of the submitted dissertation.

• To develop a knowledge  facility with a range of methodological issues and skills related to the design, implementation and analysis of research in areas within their postgraduate programme
• To enable students to pursue selected topics in considerable depth through independent research;
• To enhance students’ understanding of the disciplines of their postgraduate programme.
• With tutorial support, to enable students to develop in critical and evaluative skills appropriate to a research dissertation.

This module focuses on the Dead Sea Scrolls (specifically, the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls) and their significance for our understanding of the social, cultural, political and religious diversity of the Second Temple period. The module will accordingly examine such topics as: the discovery and publication of the scrolls; their historical and archaeological context; the content of the manuscripts; their relation to biblical texts and known apocryphal/pseudepigraphal literature; the community behind the texts; the relationship with early Christianity; and the modern impact and reception of the discovery within both academia and popular culture.

• To engender a detailed comprehension of the ways in which these important manuscripts have affected scholarly understandings of the origins and development of the Hebrew Bible;
• To enable a nuanced appreciation of the diverse nature of Second Temple Judaism and the literature of the intertestamental period;
• To encourage critical analysis of the historical, textual and archaeological evidence upon which hypotheses concerning the scrolls' origins are based;
• To enable a multi-faceted appreciation of the importance and significance of the scrolls, both in terms of their implications for our understanding of Second Temple Judaism and earliest Christianity, and their modern impact within both the academic and popular spheres.

This module offers students the opportunity to write a substantial research assignment emerging from attending an academic conference or seminar. The student will write their assessment on an aspect of the theme of that conference in negotiation with the module leader or nominee. 

• To offer students an opportunity to reflect critically on the theme of an academic conference or seminar and develop and explore a research question related to the theme of the conference or seminar.
• To foster skills of independent research and enquiry. 
• To encourage autonomous learning in planning, designing and implementing a piece of independent research.
• To enable students to contextualize their own studies in the wider academic environment

This module traces the development of various trends in modern and contemporary Islam through movements and individuals, from pre-modernist reform movements such as Wahhabism, the recent Islamic ‘resurgence’ up to contemporary forms of globalised Islam. The evolution of modern and contemporary Muslim political thought and attempts to establish Islamic states, as in Iran, Pakistan or Afghanistan, will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on social and intellectual challenges faced by Muslims, such as the question of Islam and gender, the situation of Muslims living in the West and the relationship between Islam and democracy.

• provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of the diversity of modern and contemporary forms of Islam (19th-21st centuries)
• provide students with advanced knowledge and undertanding of various key debates and issues in modern and contemporary Islam
• provide students with skills to act as autonomous researchers in relation to a negotiated research project in modern and contemporary Islam
• enable students to develop, through the assessment, an informed understanding of the diversity of modern and contemporary forms of Islam and of key debates and issues in modern and contemporary Islam

The module consists of the study of a number of extracts of texts in Christian theological ethics, drawn from a variety of perspectives in Christian theology both contemporary and historical. The selection of texts is determined by the teaching staff and may change from year to year to reflect staff and student interests.

1. To enable students to learn to engage analytically, critically and comparatively with sophisticated texts in theological ethics of varied methodology, genre and context at an advanced level. 
2. To enable students to deepen their understanding and critical engagement with key themes in Christian theological ethics.

In this module students will engage in a systematic and critical reading of the Book of Revelation. The module will also cover key critical issues in the interpretation of the Apocalypse, such as its social, historical, and political setting; its key themes and theological content; its place in the development of early Christianity; and its influence and reception.

To develop a mastery of key theological terms and concepts.

To develop a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of key critical issues in the interpretation of the Book of Revelation.

To develop skills in exegesis and critical reading of ancient texts.

This module equips students with the academic study skills required for study in Theology and Religious Studies at Level 7, as well as providing a brief introduction to the three sub-disciplines in the field: Theology; Biblical Studies; and Religious Studies. By running in parallel with the departmental research seminar series, it also prepares students to be active contributors to academic research culture. Students are given a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry, including empirical methods, are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline of Theology and Religious Studies. 

 

1. To enable students to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Theology and Religious Studies.
2. To facilitate self-direction and self-reflection through engagement with appropriate theories and methods from across the discipline of Theology and Religious Studies. 
3. To equip students with advanced academic research and writing skills in order to facilitate communication of conclusions with specialist and non-specialist audiences.