What is Religious Studies?
This is a broadly based and challenging subject. All Religious Studies courses offer the opportunity to study philosophy and ethics, world religions, biblical studies and Christian theology. Students explore issues from a variety of standpoints and learn to analyse and evaluate ideas. Special attention is also given to the skills needed for good essay writing and textual commentary.
What other subjects go well with Religious Studies?
The broad scope of this subject means that it combines well with Philosophy, History, Politics, English Literature, Sociology, Psychology, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History and with Classical or Modern Languages.
What will I gain from studying the subject?
Students choose to study themes from a wide range of options, thus allowing them to pursue their particular interests in comparative religion or ecclesiastical history for example. The Religious Studies course develops skills of analysis, encourages independence of thought and trains the mind to evaluate information. Apart from its intrinsic interest, the course therefore provides an excellent preparation for many degree courses in the arts, humanities or social sciences.
Do I have an aptitude for the subject?
Religious Studies is a subject that will appeal to any students with an interest in religious ideas, cultural issues and historical events. You should have a desire to assess particular theories from a number of viewpoints and involve yourself in the critical examination of texts.