Program Description
About the course
If you want to understand the world we live in, you have to be able to understand the great religious traditions and philosophical questions that shape it. Our degree in Philosophy, Ethics and Religion is a rigorous programme that exposes you to the big questions of philosophy: what is good? What are the ideals or principles by which we can lead a meaningful life, individually and politically? What defines a human person? What can we rationally say about the existence and nature of God? What is beauty? At the same time, it offers an in-depth understanding of major religions, such as, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. In philosophy, you will not only be reading the great texts of western thought for yourself, but also significant texts from wider global philosophies, such as,: African, Indian, and Japanese philosophies. There will also be an emphasis on developing your own ability to think critically and put forward reasoned arguments. The study of religion is grounded in an understanding of religions as they are lived and understood: field trips and research in real communities sit alongside the interpretation of texts, symbols and ideas. Your studies will be led by internationally renowned lecturers who bring their own research to bear on their teaching. Our staff have special expertise in, for example, the study of Islam, Zen Buddhism, and contemporary philosophy of religion. They will guide and inspire you to clarify the questions you want to ask, and to explore the worldviews of others as you work out your own.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups of around 15-20 students, and tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students. Lectures will give you an overview of a specific topic, which will then be studied in more detail in your seminars. Tutorials are a more intensive forum for discussion and are primarily used to analyse key texts. You will also have the opportunity to have a one-to-one meeting with your tutor each week.In your first year, there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 10 teaching hours in your second and third years. On top of teaching hours, you are also expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as studying in groups to prepare for any group assessments you may have.
