Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To introduce students to themes and perspectives in philosophy and theology.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module examines questions such as: Do aspects of ‘secular’ society contain traces of religion? If God does not exist can we have something like a ‘divine’ or ‘sacred’ experience? Does religion provide us with a different kind of knowledge to ‘pure’ rationality? These questions may be addressed with relation to thinkers from the ancient world, the Middle Ages, and contemporary Europe. Central themes include:
•       The death of God and the death of the subject
•       Onto-theo-logy
•       The end of metaphysics
•       The relation between faith and reason.
•       Proofs for God’s existence
•       The language we use to describe God, with particular reference to negative or apophatic theology.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

The aim of this module is to introduce students to new ways of thinking about God and religion in contemporary society through engaging with philosophical texts from a variety of different periods. At the end of this module students will have developed:

•       A broad based knowledge and understanding of some of the key texts in European thought from a variety of periods and traditions
•       Knowledge of key shifts in European philosophical/theological thought, including elements from ancient thought, the Middle Ages, and the present day.
•       An awareness of diverse accounts of what words such as ‘god’ might mean
•       A greater awareness of the difficulty of having a ‘purely secular’ society

Intended Skill Outcomes

Through lectures, seminar discussions and independent research students will acquire and develop the following skills:
•       Critical hermeneutical engagement with philosophical texts
•       The ability to apply historical ideas to contemporary issues
•       Assessment of philosophical arguments

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide students with broad introductions to various texts/thinkers/themes, while seminars provide the opportunity for closer textual engagement and discussions with lecturers/tutors and fellow students.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Essays are based on the material covered in each semester and provide students with the opportunity to further research topics of interest. The essays test the ability to think creatively, self-critically and independently. This assessment method also gauges students’ ability to move between generalisation and appropriately detailed discussion, to cite relevant texts and interpret them adequately, to discover examples in support of or to challenge a position, and to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant considerations.

General Notes

Original Handbook text: