PPR.251: Islam: Tradition, Community and Contemporary Challenges

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: At least one entry-level course in religion.

Course Description

This module examines the historical formation of Islam; its renewal movements past and present; and modern reform discourses on gender, politics, and law. The aim is to gain an understanding of continuities and discontinuities in the Islamic tradition in relation to religious authority, theology, politics and contemporary practice. Some of the topics studied include: the formation of Shari'a (Islamic law); competing Sunni and Shi'i orthodoxies; the rise of radical political movements and global Jihad; Islamic feminisms; Islam and the West; and Islam in Britain. The module offers a strong foundation for more specialised study in second and third year courses.

Educational Aims

The module aims to:

• Survey and critically examine the main themes, key concepts, debates and approaches to the study of Islam in the modern world.
• Develop an analytical and interpretative framework within which to situate modern Muslim discourses on tradition and reform in a historical context.

Outline Syllabus

Topics studied will typically include:

• The Prophet: Muhammad as messenger, leader and exemplar
• Revelation: The Quran as event, text and doctrine
• The Community : Caliphate, Sunni orthodoxy and alternative visions
• The Juristic Tradition: Jurisprudence, sharia and normative Islam
• Key issues in modern Islam:
• Islamic Reform: Early reform, the challenges of modernity and modernist reformers
• The Islamic Revival: Islamism and the Islamic state
• Islamic feminism and liberal Islam
• Salafism and jihadism in a global age
• Islam in Europe: Religious identity, Islamic activism and the representation of Islam

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

PPR.260: Indian Philosophical and Religious Thought

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: At least one entry-level course in religion.

Course Description

This module is a study of fundamental ideas and texts of the classical philosophical and religious traditions of India. The topics covered will include the origins and nature of inquiry and the evolution of a tradition of epistemology, debates about the nature and existence of the self, questions about the nature of ethics and ethical dilemmas, competing theories of the nature of reality, and the existence and nature of the divine. The aim is to introduce students to some of the varied intellectual debates from Indian traditions, and widen their understanding of the nature of religious and philosophical thought. Discussions will proceed through reading passages from key texts in translation.

Educational Aims

Educational Aims: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

This course aims to provide students with:

• an in-depth engagement with fundamental ideas and sources of religious and philosophical traditions from India.
• the opportunity to gain an understanding about the nature of religious and philosophical thought in an Indian context that widens their general understanding of the nature of philosophy globally
• the opportunity for students to gain a familiarity with the form and articulation of Asian thought, which often is expressed differently from religious and philosophical thought in Western traditions, and
• to acquire an understanding of the variety of methods used to approach religious and philosophical sources.

Educational Aims: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

This module aims to help students:

• to learn to understand and negotiate cultural difference
• to think critically and creatively
• to read sources material from another culture closely and critically
• to reflect on their cultural presuppositions through radically different cultural lenses
• to develop the capacity to analyse evidence and construct an argument based on that evidence
• to be able to evaluate critically a variety of books, journals, and other sources of information relevant to the topics studied on this course
• to develop written and verbal communication skills through seminar discussions and course work assessments

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

On successful completion of this module students will be able to...

• have the capacity to understand and negotiate cultural difference
• have an in-depth familiarity with foundational ideas and texts from India
• have an understanding of the diversity and complexity of Indian thought
• have an awareness of non-Western modes of thought in an increasingly globalised world and approach non-Western cultural modes of thinking both empathically and critically

Learning Outcomes: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

On successful completion of this module students will be able to...

• consider one's own cultural modes of thinking more self-reflectively
• engage in the world with more awareness of the complexity and diversity of different cultures
• think critically and creatively
• demonstrate written and verbal communication skills in coursework, exam and seminar discussions

Outline Syllabus

This course is an in-depth analysis of a selection of fundamental ideas and texts of the classical religious and philosophical traditions of India. The topics covered will include the origins and nature of religious inquiry and the evolution of a tradition of epistemology; debates about the nature and existence of the self; questions about the nature of ethics and ethical dilemmas; different theories of the nature of reality; and the existence and nature of the divine. The aim is to introduce students to some of the varied intellectual debates from Indian traditions, and widen their understanding of the nature of religious and philosophical thought. Discussions will proceed discussion of passages from key texts (in translation).

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

PPR.261: Exploring Global Religions

• Terms Taught: Lent / Summer Terms only 
• US Credits: 4 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: At least one entry-level course in religion.

Course Description

The course will begin by introducing concepts of politics, religion and values and using contemporary case studies to illustrate how they operate and interact. It will highlight and illustrate the deep-seated role of values in both politics and religion.

The first half of the course will then introduce classic theories and concepts of politics, religion, and values. The second half of the course will apply the theories and concepts critically to a series of historical and contemporary case studies chosen to ensure topicality as well as historical breadth and a global spread. These might include, for example, the rise of European nation states (how politics, religion and values worked together), Culture Wars in the USA, religious politics in India since the 1990s, and controversies over religion and schooling worldwide.

The course will conclude by considering integrating theories that make sense of the convergence of politics, religion and values (e.g. theories of ‘civil religion’, ‘new social movements’, ‘identity politics’ and ‘values-based politics’). The course will end with methodological reflection on the nature of the methods that have been in play during the course, and on combinations of methods for studying PRV. There will be plenty of room for student input and choice of cases in this module, and the entire course will be interactive and encourage students to integrate learning from other parts of their studies. It will provide a good theoretical basis for them to do so.

Educational Aims

The module will provide students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to:

• Recognise and analyse texts from several disciplines, demonstrating awareness of their different perspectives and uses, and ability to assess the strength of competing approaches and interpretations.
• Formulate evidence-based opinions verbally and in writing and communicate clearly, with the written and spoken word. Develop confidence and skill in analysis and discussion, and deepen critical skills.
• Improve analytical, written and verbal skills through course reading, essay-writing, and workshop discussions.
• Discuss and analyse empirical cases, by identifying salient aspects for analysis, theories that can be deployed, and disciplinary approaches that can be used.
• Deepen disciplinary understanding and also show how disciplinary perspectives may need to be challenged by other disciplines, thus building an interdisciplinary awareness.

Outline Syllabus

Politics can be defined as involving the legitimate exercise of coercive power, religion as involving the control of symbolic power. Both also involve values. Values have to do with what is perceived as good for the individual and society. Values can be expressed in norms, symbols, narratives and action. They shape identity and help bind people together and set them apart. By understanding politics, religion and values as overlapping categories, we can attain a fuller understanding of each. The course will begin by introducing concepts of politics, religion and values and using contemporary case studies to illustrate how they operate and interact. It will highlight and illustrate the deep-seated role of values in both politics and religion. The first half of the course will then introduce classic theories and concepts of politics, religion, and values. The second half of the course will apply the theories and concepts critically to a series of historical and contemporary case studies chosen to ensure topicality as well as historical breadth and a global spread. These might include, for example, the rise of European nation states (how politics, religion and values worked together), Culture Wars in the USA, religious politics in India since the 1990s, and controversies over religion and schooling worldwide. The course will conclude by considering integrating theories that make sense of the convergence of politics, religion and values (e.g. theories of 'civil religion', 'new social movements', 'identity politics' and 'values-based politics'). The course will end with methodological reflection on the nature of the methods that have been in play during the course, and on combinations of methods for studying PRV. There will be plenty of room for student input and choice of cases in this module, and the entire course will be interactive and encourage students to integrate learning from other parts of their studies. It will provide a good theoretical basis for them to do so. Typical areas of study will include:

• the concepts of politics, religion and values and issues of their interrelations
• theories of politics
• theories of religion (substantive and functional)
• theories of value (deontological, consequentialist, teleological, relational)
• case studies examining the growth of modern European nation states (how politics, religion and values work together), Culture Wars in the USA (clashing binary clusters of politics, religion, and values), Religious politics in India since the 1990s,
• theories of the convergence of politics, religion and values (e.g. theories of 'civil religion', 'political religion' and 'alues-based politics')
• theories of the clash of politics, religion and values (e.g. 'social identity theory', theories of religious violence)

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

PPR.351: Modern Religious and Atheistic Thought

• Terms Taught: Lent / Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: You must have undertaken relevant previous studies in Philosophy and/or Religion.

Course Description

The aim of this course is to examine and evaluate some of the most central issues in Enlightenment and post-Enlightenment Western religious and atheistic philosophical debates. The course will begin by looking the philosophy of G. W. F. Hegel and its implications for subsequent religious and atheistic thought. It will then proceed to consider the thought of the post-Hegelian ‘master's of suspicion’: Feuerbach, Marx, Freud and Nietzsche. After this, it will look at ways in which religious and atheistic thought have been brought together, as manifested in various forms of ‘Christian atheism.’ Finally, it will consider postmodern critiques of modern atheism and the nature of the associated ‘return of religion.’

Educational Aims

The aim of this course is to help students:

• Examine and evaluate some of the most central issues in Enlightenment and post-Enlightenment Western religious and atheistic philosophical debates. After preliminary consideration of what is meant by modernity, religion and atheism, the course provides an introduction to the thought of some central Enlightenment philosophers, particularly Hegel and Nietzsche, and the implications of their thought for religious questions.
• Look at the ways in which religious and atheistic thought have interacted with each other, particularly in studies of the death of God and the emergence of various forms of Christian atheism.
• Consider postmodern and religious critiques of modernity and the Enlightenment.

Outline Syllabus

The course will examine some of the major debates in religious and atheistic thought, looking in particular at the way in which these debates are framed in a specifically modern epistemological framework and the ways in which religious thought and atheistic thought might be thought to be mutually constitutive and mutually implicated rather than simply oppositional. The syllabus will include the following topics:

• Hegel - his notion of the 'death of God' and his disputed status as a religious or atheistic thinker
• The post-Hegelian 'master's of suspicion': one or two of Feuerbach, Marx, Durkheim, Freud
• Nietzsche - especially his notion of the 'death of God' and its subsequent reception
• 'Christian Atheism' - particularly the work of Thomas J J Altizer and/or Don Cupitt
• Between Theism and Atheism - particularly the work of Mark C Taylor and/or John D Caputo
• After Atheism: The 'Radical Orthodoxy' of John Milbank

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

PPR.355: Body in Text: Politics of Gender in Islam

• Terms Taught: Lent / Summer Terms Only
• US Credits: 4 Semester Credits.
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS Credits.
• Pre-requisites: You must have undertaken relevant previous studies in religion and/or philosophy.

Course Description

This module aims to:

- Introduce students to the study of key Islamic texts e.g. The Qur’an, its history and its interpretation in relation to gender.

- Provide students with an understanding of key concepts in the study of religion and gender (e.g. patriarchy, gender hierarchy, sexuality, and femininity and masculinity) through a critical, postcolonial perspective focused on Islam.

- Inculcate the students with textual analysis skills to examine how concepts such as patriarchy can be critically applied and interrogated in the analysis of foundational and primary sources in Islam.

- Help students understand and analyse the relation between text and practice in establishing and transforming gender norms in the lived traditions of Islam.

- Examine contemporary women’s movements in the Muslim world and the rise of Muslim/Islamic feminism in light of contemporary challenges to the Islamic tradition.

- Assist students in reading and critically assessing western and non-western feminist readings of religion and counter-readings by Muslim women.

- Encourage students to employ their knowledge of textual and lived traditions to critically reflect on current debates within the field of Gender Studies

- Equip students with analytical and conceptual skills essential for studying and researching gender, feminism and religion, e.g. textual analysis of pre-modern texts.

Educational Aims

Upon completion of this course, successful students should be able to:

- demonstrate a grasp of key concepts in the study of religion and gender (e.g. patriarchy, gender hierarchy, sexuality, and femininity and masculinity) through a critical, postcolonial perspective focused on Islam.

- apply textual analysis skills in examining how concepts such as patriarchy can be critically applied and interrogated in the analysis of foundational and primary sources in Islam.

- analyse the relation between text and practice in establishing and transforming gender norms in the lived traditions of Islam.

- demonstrate knowledge of contemporary women’s movements in the Muslim world and the rise of Muslim/Islamic feminism in light of contemporary challenges to the Islamic tradition.

- assist students in reading and critically assessing western and non-western feminist readings of religion and counter-readings by Muslim women.

- critically reflect on current debates within the field of Gender and Islam

Outline Syllabus

Outline syllabus

The course syllabus will consist of three building blocks: 1) an introductory part (2 weeks) providing an overview of the study of Gender, Religion and Islam, moving on to key issues in feminist and post-colonial approaches; 2) an examination of 'Gender in the Tradition' through texts and their histories (4 weeks), covering a range of topics such as diverse readings of gender representation in Qur’anic and prophetic texts, the construction of gender norms in Islamic law and ethics, especially those pertaining to sexuality and modesty, and, finally, gendered ideas and practices surrounding religious roles and authority; 3) an exploration of feminist approaches and contemporary movements pursuing intellectual and political projects which aim to de-construct patriarchy and reconstruct Islamic law, ethics and theology within Muslim contexts (4 weeks).

Assessment Proportions

Assessment is by a 2700-3000 words essay on a topic chosen by the student and developed in consultation with the supervisor. Assessment by essay on a topic chosen by the individual student is appropriate because it best allows students to demonstrate their developing skills in reading, discussing, researching, and writing in response to particular texts and/or topics addressed in depth. They will be given formative feedback that will assist them in revising for the exam. (40%)

Students will also be assessed by examination. They will be required to answer two questions in two hours. This is a summative method for assessing their overall understanding of the course and their achievement of the learning outcomes. (60%)

40% Coursework 60% Exam

PPR.365: State and Religion

• Terms Taught: Lent / Summer Terms Only
• US Credits: 4 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Previous study in this subject area is required.

Course Description

Course Description: The module provides a comparative perspective drawing on the fields of religion and politics. It analyses how the rise of the modern nation-state impacted and reconstituted religion in a post-colonial, global context. It addresses questions such as: What place does religion have in diverse political systems in the modern world? How have religious ideologies and commitments shaped modern conceptions and practices of governance? To what extent has religion been engaged in supporting/contesting discourses of liberal democracy and human rights? And why does it remain a site for political protest in non-western contexts? These questions will be explored across various traditions such as Hinduism, Christianity, Islam as well as in diverse regional contexts, such as Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Key topics will typically include: Secularism, Religion and the Postcolonial Nation-State; Religion and law-making in modern nation-states; State, Religion, and human rights, with a focus on women's rights or religious minority rights; State, Religion and Rebellion; and Civil Religion: Interrogating America's Nationalism.

Educational Aims

Educational Aims: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

This module aim to offer an opportunity to study a range of religions, geographic and political contexts. It will attempt to equip students with the knowledge and confidence to describe, discuss and deploy competing concepts and theories as well as a range of examples. Students will learn to understand the close relationship between theory and context, and the variations in the historical and contemporary reality of states and the effect of religion on them. We aim to give students an awareness of the need for critical thinking about the global complexity of the role of religion on governance, political practices and ideologies. They would have been able to develop a deeper understanding of a specific issue through a case study in their coursework.

Educational Aims: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

The module aims to provide students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to:

• Recognise and analyse literature from several disciplines, demonstrating awareness of their different perspectives and uses, and ability to assess the strength of competing approaches and interpretations.
• Formulate evidence-based opinions verbally and in writing and communicate clearly, with the written and spoken word.
• Develop confidence and skill in analysis and discussion and deepen critical skills. Improve analytical, written and verbal skills through course reading, essay-writing, and workshop discussions.
• Discuss and analyse empirical cases, by identifying salient aspects for analysis, theories that can be deployed, and disciplinary approaches that can be used.
• Deepen disciplinary understanding and also show how disciplinary perspectives may need to be challenged by other disciplines, thus building an interdisciplinary awareness

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

Students who pass this module should be able to... Demonstrate understanding of key concepts of the state in contemporary religious and political thought and practice. Identify the complex inter-relationship between religion and the modern state across different traditions and in different regional contexts. Critically evaluate how this inter-relationship has shaped and even transformed political systems and religious tradition nationally and transnationally.

Learning Outcomes: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

Students who pass this module should be able to...

• Demonstrate cognitive, time management and transferable skills through supportive learning environments and rigorous modes of assessment
• Utilise high-level skills in problem solving, application of knowledge, analysis and critical reflection, handling large bodies of information, oral and written communication, negotiation and influence, time management and work organisation
• Use appropriate digital learning technologies available through the university in research and writing
• Demonstrate the ability to gather, organize and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and some primary sources; identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and advocate solutions to problems; and construct reasoned argument, synthesize relevant information and exercise critical judgement

Outline Syllabus

Key topics will typically include:

• Secularism, Religion and the Postcolonial Nation-State;
• Religion and law-making in modern nation-states;
• State, Religion, and human rights, with a focus on women's rights or religious minority rights;
• Christianity and civil religion;
• Social movements and religion;
• State, Religion and Rebellion.

Assessment Proportions

• 100% coursework (1 x 5000-word essay)

PPR.371: Wild Asian Goddesses: Power and Transgression in South and South East Asia

• Terms Taught: Lent / Summer Terms Only
• US Credits: 4 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS Credits
• Pre-requisites: Relevant previous studies in philosophy, religion or a related subject.

Course Description

The module aims to:

1. develop a scholarly awareness of Asian goddess traditions, their main goddesses, wild and mild, their mythologies, texts, histories and philosophical currents

2. establish a bigger picture of 'global religions' by looking at ancient notions and practices surrounding female sacred power

3. encourage thinking on issues connected to gender and power through the study of these particular traditions.

4. foster sensitive, informed interpretations of a variety of non-Western historical sources and gain an understanding of the richness of classical Indian languages (Sanskrit and Prakrit)

Educational Aims

Students who pass this module should be able to...

1. have both a broad and nuanced historical knowledge of Shakta (goddess-oriented) traditions in South and South East Asia through studying a wide range of sources and examples in depth

2. critically assess the connections of these traditions with society, culture and power

3. be able to assess the implications of these traditions for gender and politics in religion

Outline Syllabus

South and South East Asian religious traditions are globally unique for their reverence of female divine power. Called Devi (goddess) and Shakti (power/potentiality), the Goddess is thought to be multiform and worshipped in ‘power-sites’ (shaktipithas) scattered all over the subcontinent. In theological traditions of medieval India, she was conceptualized in some of the most sophisticated metaphysical arguments as an ultimate Consciousness. For worshippers, she is a symbol of many things: autonomous power, liberation, rulership, transgression, duality, sexuality, passion, motherhood, the colour red, Death, vision and sleep.

In this module we explore the only major religious culture, in which female sacred power plays an undilutedly central role. We assess its history and its importance in South and South East Asian society drawing on classical historical sources-- Sanskrit narratives, ritual manuals, poetry, philosophical literature and epigraphy, as well as explore her impact on living traditions.

Along the way we will be exploring the following questions:

What does the tradition of goddesses in South Asia say about the role of heretical traditions and doctrines, of which many of its scriptures and practices were considered parts?

What relation do myths of the goddess's sacred places bear with histories of actual places, in other words, what was the relationship between ‘myth’ and history (how for example do stories of kings receiving kingship from the goddess articulate histories of state formation)?

What relation do passages of worship in doctrinal literature have with actual worship?

How does the Goddess’s tradition blur the realms of power-in-society and power-outside-society and why?

Assessment Proportions

The module will be assessed through one essay 4500-5000 words in length, written on a topic/question from a list shared with students before the start of the module. (100% Coursework Only)

PPR.380: Buddhist Philosophy

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term Only
• US Credits: 4 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS Credits
• Pre-requisites: Relevant previous studies in philosophy, religion or a related subject.

Course Description

Students will be introduced to:

• Some of the most well known and influential Buddhist concepts, texts, and thinkers from across Asia, but particularly from India and China
• The methodological challenges of studying Buddhist philosophy
• The Module aims to develop:
• the ability to engage in informed argument about key topics in the study of Buddhist philosophy
• the ability to engage in informed argument about key topics in comparative and global philosophy
• understanding of various cultural approaches to philosophy

Educational Aims

Students who pass this module should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the key philosophers, texts, and ideas, from the Buddhist philosophical tradition
• Demonstrate an understanding of the key methodological challenges of studying Buddhist philosophers from India, China, and other cultural contexts
• Demonstrate an understanding of the key methodological challenges of studying primary sources in translation from Pali, Sanskrit, classical Chinese, and other classical languages
• Demonstrate an understanding of the texts and contexts covered in the course
• Be able to review and assess the major texts/thinkers under review demonstrated through written assessment
• Apply various modern theoretical frameworks and critical tools in order to understand, explain, and analyse the texts, ideas, and thinkers from Buddhist traditions
• Articulate their own position in relation to the key Buddhist thinkers/texts/themes of the module

Outline Syllabus

This module will trace the development of Buddhist thought, from its emergence in India in the fifth century BCE, through its development across Asia, particularly China, but also Tibet and Japan. It will also look at how Buddhist philosophy has been received by Western philosophers from the 19th century. In addition to tracking and analysing key concepts, such as not-self, dependent origination, emptiness, and Buddha nature, this module will examine themes that pervade Buddhist philosophy in its various contexts, such as the relationships between teaching and practice, philosophy and literature, and religion and politics. Although the regional emphasis will change depending on the lecturer, this module will offer students an in-depth exploration of one of the most enduring, voluminous, and influential philosophical traditions of the world.

Assessment Proportions

There will be two essays. The first one will be 1800-2000 words. The first essay question will be about topics in Weeks 1-5. The essay deadline will be in week 6 and these essays will be returned to students according to the timescale followed by the department, which is four weeks. (worth 40%)

The second essay will be 2700-3000 words. The second essay question will be about topics covered in Weeks 6-10. The deadline for this essay will be the first week of the following term. (worth 60%)

The rationale of two essays is that students will have the opportunity to benefit from the feedback on the first essay. Also, by having two essays rather than one, this makes sure that a student's entire grade is not dependent on just one piece of coursework.