Religious Studies and Sociology

First year modules introduce you to concepts, themes and debates within Sociology and Religious Studies. Key issues, theories and methodological approaches for the study of religion and sociology are addressed. This is accompanied by an opportunity to develop a chronological and conceptual overview of the major religious traditions and to apply your sociological imagination to the study of popular culture, women’s campaigning and to the institutions of education, work and health.

In Year 2, you study specific religious traditions and explore a range of social and philosophical issues. You deepen your understanding of sociological research methods and consider key classical and contemporary social theories and apply these to issues of human security and ‘race’ and cultural identity.

In the final year of your studies you continue your study of specific world religions. You are also able to specialise in subjects such as ‘Gender and Development in Non-Western Societies’, ‘Work and Society’, ‘Global Educational Issues’, ‘Sociology of Health and Illness’.

You will undertake a supervised, individually designed project in Religious Studies or Sociology. As part of your project, you may undertake fieldwork into a current religious issue, or select a topic of particular interest to you. Alternatively you may engage in a community-based research project.

At each level of study you have the opportunity to undertake an accredited voluntary placement in a community-based organisation.