2008 RAE: Religious Studies at Aberdeen top-ranked.
Religious Studies
Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen is the comparative study of the religious traditions of the world. The approaches used are social scientific- (anthropological, sociological, political and psychological) - as well as literary, philosophical and historical.
We do not debate the truth of any religion—such as might be studied in a Divinity or Theology programme—but are rather concerned with the origins, functions, transmission and meanings of religion. Our aim in teaching Religious Studies is:
- to introduce students to the variety of religions worldwide, and their historical and contemporary impact.
- to give students deeper expertise in one or two specific traditions.
- to provide students with historical, psychological and social scientific toolkits for understanding them.
- to give students the opportunity to learn textual and fieldwork techniques.
