Module manager: Adriaan van Klinken
Email: a.vanklinken@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces the study of everyday religious cultures in selected regions of the contemporary world, dwelling on Christian and Muslim practice and expression; it draws on anthropological studies, literary sources and contemporary media to examine the complex ways in which religious traditions are mediated, lived and transformed locally and globally.
Christianity and Islam are global, dynamic and vibrant religious traditions shaping the everyday religious cultures in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and their diasporas. Far from being marginal or relegated to private spaces, the diverse practice of these religions by ordinary people, and their expression in the work of artists and other practitioners, shapes society, politics, economics and vice versa.
This module introduces selected key practices and expressions emblematic of everyday Christian and Muslim cultures in diverse settings across the world. It studies their historical trajectories and modern reconstruction and transformation in the context of increasing global interactions with the forces of colonialism, nationalism and neo-orthodoxy.
The module will be taught through lectures and seminars. Lectures introduce relevant approaches to, and sources for the study of Christian and Muslim cultures in global contexts. The seminars facilitate interactive discussion of selected ethnographic, literary and media sources illuminating aspects of everyday Christian and Muslim religious cultures in the contemporary period.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Accurately describe and explain key characteristics of everyday Christian and Muslim cultures, such as their historical trajectories, contemporary manifestations, and wider influences and interactions.
2. Reflect on the relationship between religion, everyday life and popular culture in Christian and Muslim communities, publics, and societies.
3. Discuss ethnographic, literary and media sources about aspects of everyday religious practice and its popular expression in different regional Christian and Muslim settings.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
5. Use appropriate material to support understanding of topics (Academic, Work Ready, Digital and Sustainability skill)
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will have the opportunity to receive feedback on essay plans for each of the essay assignments. Summative feedback on essay 1 will also provide formative feedback for essay 2.
Students’ general progress is also monitored by their contributions to seminar discussions.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
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