Religious Studies (Level 3 Diploma)

Religious Studies (Level 3 Diploma)

The whole level three diploma has FOUR (4) specific modules of study, which are sub-divided into FOUR (4) units of learning, these are:

Module 1: Old Testament

Unit 1 : An introduction to the world of the Old Testament
The life of pre-exilic Israel, with reference to the following: a wandering people; a people become a nation; a people amongst other peoples. The following passages will be set for study: Exodus 15-16, 1 Samuel 8-10 and 1 Kings 18: 17-46. The issues of: how far the accounts of the Exodus and conquests are credible as history; slavery and freedom; the meaning of nationhood and the significance of kingship and syncretism and intolerance will be discussed.

Unit 2 : Old Testament view of God's relationship with the people
The idea of covenant and its place in the everyday life of Ancient Israel with reference to the following: ideas of covenant in the political life of the Ancient Near East; twentieth century critical views about the making of the covenant and Abraham and the beginning of the covenant relationship; Moses, the relationship formalised through Law and the giving of the Law. The following passages will be set for study: Genesis 17; 22:1-18 and Exodus 19-20. The issues of: the relevance of Old Testament ides of God in the twenty-first century; the significance of the idea of covenant; the impact of critical views on an understanding of the covenant and whether the Law of Moses is relevant in the twenty-first century will be discussed.

Unit 3 : The phenomenon of prophecy
The nature of prophets and their function in society with reference to the following: the development of prophecy in the tenth and ninth centuries, with particular focus on Samuel and Elijah; the development of the prophetic experience and the types of prophets. The following passages will be set for study: 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16 and 1 Kings 18:17-19:18; 21. The following issues arising will be discussed: prophets as ordinary or extraordinary people; their credibility in society; the inevitability of conflict between prophets and the authorities of their day in the Old Testament and in other times and the continuing significance of prophetic experience.

Unit 4 : Eighth century prophecy - Amos
The continuing significance of Amos' theme of the relationship between religious practice and morality with reference to the following: his teaching on the nature of God, and God's relationship with the people; the ideas of election and responsibility; his criticisms of the social, religious and political life of the people and his views on the future of the people, including his teaching on the 'Day of the Lord'. The passage set for study will be Amos. The issues discussed will be: Amos as a prophet of doom; the relative importance of Amos' social, religious and political criticisms; the extent to which covenant underpinned Amos' teaching; the extent to which Amos may be viewed as a typical prophet; whether Amos was right in his views on God and Israel and his predictions of Israel's future.

Module 2 : New Testament

Unit 1 : How the synoptic gospels came into being
Oral tradition with reference to: the reasons for the synoptic gospels being committed to writing; the relationship between the three synoptic gospels; the priority of Mark; reasons for writers editing material as they wrote the synoptic gospels; reasons for translating the original Greek synoptic texts. The issues whether understanding about how John's gospel came into being assists understanding of the synoptic gospels themselves; the advantages and disadvantages of having three gospels rather than one given the time gap before the gospels were written; uncertainty about their sources and authorship, and whether we can trust them to be accurate or the Word of God.

Unit 2 : Aspects of Jesus' teaching and action; parables and healing
With particular reference to the passages listed below, candidates will be expected to know about: the role and the purpose of parables and healings as recorded in the synoptic gospels; scholars' views of the theology and the teaching found in parables and healings. The following passages will be set for study: The Sower (Matthew 13:3-23 and Mark 43-20); The Tenants in the Vineyard (Matthew 21:33-46 and Mark 12:1-12); Centurion's Slave (Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10) and Legion (Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39). The issues to be discussed: in a scientific age, do Jesus' healings have to be rationalised? Is context so important that parables cannot be understood in the twenty-first century? Are scholars necessary to ensure people have a true understanding of the theological messages from the parables and the healings?

Unit 3 : The arrest, trial and death of Jesus
Candidates will be expected to know: scholars' views of the theological message and the teaching about the person of Jesus provided by the writers in these accounts and the main similarities and differences between the three accounts: Matthew 26:36-27:61, Mark 14:32-15:47 and Luke 22:40-23:56. The following issues arising will be discussed: is there any satisfactory explanation of why the synoptic accounts of the arrest, trial and death of Jesus are so different from each other? Is it possible to deduce from them the reason why Jesus was crucified? Are the accounts of the arrest, trial and death of Jesus historically reliable? How convincing are the claims made about the person of Jesus and his ministry based on the synoptic accounts of his arrest, trial and death?

Unit 4 : The resurrection of Jesus
Candidates will be expected to know: scholars' views of the theological message and the teaching about the person of Jesus provided by the writers in these accounts and the main similarities and differences between the three accounts: Matthew 27:62-28:20, Mark 16:1-20 (noting the variant readings of the text) and Luke 24. The following issues arising will be discussed: are the resurrection accounts symbolic, historical or both symbolic and historical? Is there any satisfactory explanation of why the synoptic accounts of the resurrection are so different from each other? Is the longer ending of Mark's Gospel authentic? How important are the synoptic resurrection narratives for the Christian faith?

Module 3: New Testament II New Testament

Unit 1 : The context of John's Gospel
This unit focuses on: the relationship between John and the synoptic gospels; the Christian context, the Early Church and the Greek and Jewish context from which John draws. The following issues arising will be discussed: the debate about the relationship between John and the synoptic gospels; how an understanding of the background to John's gospel helps an understanding of the gospel; how far John's gospel was written in response to the situation and needs of the Early Church and whether John's Gospel be read without knowing about Jewish and Greek thinking and traditions.

Unit 2 : The nature, role and purpose of the discourses in John's gospel
The following are examples of discourses, and candidates will be expected to know about these in particular, although they may exemplify their answers from other material in John to support their answers. Much of the role and purpose will focus upon John's portrayal of Jesus and his ministry in the following passages: 'I am the Bread of Life', John 6:30-58; 'I am the Light of the World', John 8:12-19 and 9:1-41; 'I am the Door of the Sheep', and 'I am the Good Shepherd', John 10:1-18; 'I am the Resurrection and the Life', John 11:1-44; 'I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life', John 14:1-7; 'I am the True Vine', John 15:1-17. These issues arising will be discussed: whether these discourses are John's interpretation of Jesus' teaching; are the issues in the discourses of any relevance to people today; do we really learn very much about the person of Jesus from John's records of the discourses and whether an understanding of the discourses require an understanding of Christian theology.

Unit 3 : The nature, role and purpose of signs in John's Gospel
The following are examples of signs, and candidates will be expected to know about these in particular, although they may exemplify their answers from other material in John to support their answers. Much of the role and purpose will focus upon John's portrayal of Jesus and his ministry in the following passages: 'Water to Wine', John 2:1-11; 'Healing of the Officer's Son', John 4:46-54; 'The Crippled Man', John 5:1-18; 'The Feeding of the Five Thousand', John 6:1-15. The following issues will be discussed: if John is correct, why would Jesus use signs rather than direct communication; would people at the time have understood the signs as John does; could the signs really have happened and does this matter to John and whether an understanding of Christian theology is necessary to understand signs.

Unit 4 : The nature, role and purpose of the passion and resurrection narratives
Candidates will be expected to know the following passages in particular, although they may exemplify their answers from other material in John to support their answers. Much of the role and purpose will focus upon John's portrayal of Jesus and his ministry: John 18-19 Passion narrative and John 20-21 Resurrection narrative. The following issues arising will be discussed: whether there is there any history in John's accounts; is John more interested in the death than in the resurrection; does John see salvation only in these events; are the passion and resurrection narratives really Christian theology.

Module 4 : Ways of Reading and Understanding Scripture

Unit 1: Textual history and interpretation of the Bible.

Consideration in this short module will specifically centre on: the historic person, John and his culture; and to re-examine the relationship between John and the synoptic gospels; to re-examine the purpose of John’s writings.

Unit 2: The history and status of biblical translations.

Consideration will be given to the translation of the Bible, to examine whether scripture can be the Word of God and also have some clear understanding as to the nature of bible translation.

Unit 3: How differently Christians have viewed the Bible over the history of the religion.

Consideration will be given to how the uses and status of the Bible have changed overtime; and its place in the modern church as a source of authority.

Unit 4: The modern use of the Bible in worship, attitude and status.

Examination of the way in which the Bible is used in Christian worship; in the modern era and the status in which it is placed today.

Course Assessment

When you have completed the programme, your tutor needs to verify that you have worked through all parts of any Workbooks, Activities and Exercises successfully.

100% of the final mark is made up of an online multiple choice exam.

Upon verification of the activities, exercises and assignments, you will be awarded your diploma by ABC Awards as confirmation that your written work has met all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the programme.

Course Fees

Our aim is to provide you with the best deal available, therefore any registration fee, certification fee and full tutor support is included in the course price for you. The enrolment fee for the Level 3 Diploma in Religious Studies home study course is £456.25, though for a limited time we are offering you the opportunity to pay only £365 which is a 20% discount if you enrol online and pay in full.

You can also opt for our Easy Payment Plan and enrol online today by paying a deposit of £91.25 and then 4 equal payments of £91.25 per month. The first instalment is paid about a month after you receive your course.

Online Version : £365
Online & Paper Version : £430