Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (R45)

This qualification explores human systems of thought and practice, both ‘secular’ and ‘religious’, in ways which allow you to engage with wide-ranging and often controversial issues and challenges affecting different cultures and societies across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. You’ll investigate current questions and themes from both historical and contemporary perspectives. This includes the ethics of war, political justice, race and colonialism, health and ageing, religious nationalisms, the ‘sanctity of life’ and human relationships with the environment. In engaging with religious studies and philosophy, you’ll develop critical skills and expertise across a range of key approaches and methodologies.

Key features of the course

• Engage with key philosophical debates about ethical and other fundamental questions

• Learn about the traditions of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and minority religions as they relate to various cultures and societies

• Investigate selected classic and contemporary philosophers and a range of religious practices and beliefs.

• Develop skills of critical analysis, empathy and communication relevant to a wide range of careers.

Course Modules

This religion, philosophy and ethics degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

You’ll start Stage 1 being introduced to religious studies and philosophy by engaging with fascinating topics in either an interdisciplinary study of the arts and humanities or the social sciences. You can build on this by focusing primarily on history, music, philosophy, and religious studies or explore important global challenges such as the climate crisis, legacies of colonialism and enslavement, and technological change.

At Stage 2, you’ll progress from interdisciplinary study to focus on religions, philosophy and ethics. You’ll encounter various expressions of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism in different contexts as you look at what religion is, how religions are studied, and why we study religion. You'll be introduced to philosophy through six essential topics: philosophy of religion, political philosophy through Plato, philosophy of mind, ethics, knowledge, and philosophy of race. You’ll examine the diverging ideas of philosophers and learn to tackle the big questions of philosophy for yourself.

At Stage 3, you’ll look at the truth in fiction, justice in war, reason and action, the value of life, knowledge and reason. Your study of religion will focus on religion in relation to global challenges, past and present, including health and ageing, social justice and human relationships with the environment.