Module manager: Dr Stefan Skrimshire
Email: s.skrimshire@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module offers a critical analysis of sociological, theological and philosophical accounts of the social and political dimensions of religion and how these relate to different models of public and private life. It will explore the emergence of distinctively 'private' and 'public' realms of social action and experience in relation to developments in Western Christian belief and practice; how political discourses concerning the balance between individual and corporate rights on the one hand, and public responsibilities on the other, continue to be grounded in a number of highly specific theological, sociological and philosophical debates surrounding secularism and modernity; how religion, politics and society are understood in diverse contexts.
As a core module for the MA Religion, this module aims to provide you with an advanced understanding of the contentious and developing role of religion in public life that draws from several, distinct traditions of scholarly analysis (e.g. philosophy, theology, sociology, anthropology). It develops critical and analytical skills in ways that will enrich your understanding of the social and political dimensions of religious belief and action in diverse contexts, and will equip you for further postgraduate research.
The module is taught via weekly seminars which provide critical input and facilitate an interactive engagement with, and discussion about, the set topics and readings.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically and independently investigate, analyse, and critique ideas and theories about religion and its relation to modernity, secularism and the public sphere.
2. Effectively deploy several disciplinary approaches to the study of religion, such as sociology, philosophy, theology, and anthropology, cognisant of their respective intellectual and methodological traditions.
3. Articulate critical, in-depth and independent analysis of the role of religion in diverse social and political contexts.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Exhibit advanced knowledge and understanding of the intersections of religion, politics and society.
5. Undertake independent research using library or online archives (Academic and Work Ready Skill).
6. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seminar | 11 | 2 | 22 |
| Private study hours | 277 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
In addition to the formative feedback available to students in student hours and seminar-based activities, each student is invited to complete one piece of formative work which will receive written feedback. Students are given a choice of: essay plan; exposition of an argument; literature review. This requires students to identify the type of feedback that will be of most value to them and so play an active role in honing their knowledge and skill development.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 03/03/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team