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DR1072: RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD: THE ANCIENT WORLD (2016-2017)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

This course introduces students to the academic study of religion and develops a Religious Studies perspective on religions. Religions of the ancient world will be explored in their historical, systematic, and practical/ritual dimensions. The course deals with three major religious traditions of antiquity, i.e., Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In addition, the course introduces students to the study of religion, dealing with issues such as: defining religion; insider/outsider problem in the study of religion; belief belief; and rituals as constitutive elements of the religious phenomena across time and space.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study Yes
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Sam Newington

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • DR1572 Religions of the World: the Ancient World (Studied)
  • RS1009 Religions of the World 1 - Ancient Traditions (Distance) (Studied)
  • RS1507 Religions of the World 1 - Ancient Traditions (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course:

• introduces students to the academic study of religion

• develops a Religious Studies perspective on religions.

Religions of the ancient world will be explored in their historical, systematic, and practical/ritual dimensions.

Students will:

• have acquired knowledge of what constitutes ‘religion’ and the various approaches to the academic study of religion

• understand religious traditions as multi-dimensional constructs

• be able to interpret the basic features of the traditions studied

• be able to critically read and analyse primary and secondary sources dealing with religion/s.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt

  • One 2000-word essay (40%)
  • One 2-hour written examination (60%)

Resit

  • One 2-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment principally takes the form of conversation amongst instructors and students during tutorial sessions, and this will form an essential part of the work of the lectures.

Feedback

Students get detailed feedback on their essay. Written feedback on exam performance is available on request.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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