The programme allows students to deepen their critical understanding of the relevance and role of religion in the contemporary world. It explores the variety of ways that religious practices, beliefs and traditions inform, encourage, contest, disrupt, or otherwise influence contemporary social, political and cultural life. Students will be able to learn about the importance of religions to phenomena such as protest movements, revolutions, nationalism, terrorism, global development, climate change, gender, sexuality and race discrimination, migration and diaspora.
The core module critically interrogates the concept of ‘religion’ in the context of different theories of politics, policy and social change, engaging with hotly debated and contested topics such as secularisation and ‘post-secularism’, religious identity and representation, religion and the public sphere. Contextual case studies include issues such as religious representation in the UK; apocalyptic belief in the USA; religion and climate emergency; Pentecostalism in Africa; religious nationalism in India; Islamism in the Middle East. The module draws upon expertise across the School, including theological, philosophical, sociological and anthropological approaches. Thus, the core module plays into the distinctive research strengths of Religious Studies and Theology at Leeds. There are various module offerings that make the programme distinctive: modules on theology, on gender and sexuality, and on research design, and so the planning of the research process, the choice of relevant research methods, and the ethical issues in academic research. In addition, via a ‘Special Options’ module, students can also enrol in a range of research-led and subject specific final year undergraduate modules in Religious Studies and Theology, allowing them to benefit from the full breadth and depth of our offering.
The programme will appeal to a broad range of people with a keen interest in the place of religions and theology in their social, political, ethical and cultural dimensions. Students may wish to use the programme as a stepping stone to further postgraduate study; as a preparatory course for work in the voluntary, advocacy, NGO, or policy sector; or to further their knowledge and literacy in this important area.
Students can attend the research seminars of our Centre for Religion and Public Life where scholars from across the world share their work.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates are required to study 60 credits
All candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRHS5400M | Religion, Politics and Society | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
Candidates will take their remaining 30 credits from the list of OPTIONAL modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THEO5120M | Religion, Gender and Sexuality | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| THEO5371M | Theology and Public Life | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| THEO5372M | Studying Religion: Research Process, Methods and Ethics | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| THEO5620M | Special Options in Theology and Religious Studies | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 11/03/2025 09:39:08
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