Module manager: Dr. Mikel Burley
Email: m.m.burley@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The module deals with the interplay between religious beliefs and ethical values, along with the overarching question of how religious beliefs and practices can be conceptualized. Specific topics may include eternal life, religion and superstition, reincarnation, prayer, the problem of evil, indigenous religions, and connections between religion, ethics, and conceptions of humanity. The module is especially suitable for students interested in philosophical and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of religion and ethics. Please note that this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The module aims to broaden and deepen your knowledge of important issues concerning religious belief, religious practice, and ethics. These issues encompass indigenous religious practices, and non-Abrahamic as well as Abrahamic traditions. The approach of the module, though broadly philosophical, incorporates aspects of religious studies, theology, and anthropology.
The module will be taught by means of lectures and seminars, which complement your private study. Lectures present an overview of the key issues being studied. This provides the necessary background for productive small-group discussions in seminars, for which you prepare by engaging with set readings and other study materials.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1) Apply diverse philosophical and interdisciplinary methods of inquiry to religious and ethical topics.
2) Engage critically with key philosophical, theological, and anthropological viewpoints on significant religious and ethical topics.
3) Formulate coherent arguments in defence of your own view about at least two major topics of religious or ethical interest.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
4) Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language. (Academic and Work Ready skill)
5) Critically analyse source material and demonstrate independence of thought. (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6) Search for appropriate material to support knowledge and analysis of topics. (Academic, Work Ready, Digital, and Sustainability skill)
The module content may vary from year to year but may include subjects such as:
- The concept of religion
- Religious belief and superstition
- Reincarnation, karma, and ethics
- Immortality and eternal life
- Gender and mysticism
- Ethical issues related to theodicy
- Love, sacrifice, and forgiveness
- Magic and ritual practices
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Prior to submitting the first essay, students have the opportunity to receive feedback on a short essay plan, either verbally or in writing.
Prior to submitting the second essay, students will have received summative feedback on their first, thereby enabling improvements to be made when writing the second.
Students’ progress is also monitored by their contributions to seminar discussions.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay | 50 |
| Essay | Essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The resit is by the same methodology as the first attempt. Students will select a different question from the list provided for the first attempt.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team