RT1111: Introduction to the Study of Religion 1
School | Religion |
Department Code | SHARE |
Module Code | RT1111 |
External Subject Code | 100339 |
Number of Credits | 20 |
Level | L4 |
Language of Delivery | English |
Module Leader | null null null |
Semester | Autumn Semester |
Academic Year | 2013/4 |
Outline Description of Module
Introduction to the Study of Religion 1 is a user-friendly introduction to both the study of religion and the rigours of undergraduate research in the Humanities. Through a series of case studies this module explores both the history and contemporary relevance of key debates concerning religious and cultural products and processes, and suggesting ways in which scholars of religion use concepts such as ritual, gender, and place, to illuminate these debates. Students will have the opportunity to consider a range of objects and actions relevant to the study of religion, including poetry, art and drama and will thereby be encouraged to contextualize their understanding of religious traditions with insights into ways in which those traditions are continuously shaped, contested, and re-formed in the course of both social action and scholarly analysis. The module sets out to train students in all the basic skills required of a university undergraduate in the Humanities. In this way, the module offers a double foundation. It takes up both the ‘how to’ aspect of the study of religion and the ‘how to’ of getting the most out of University-level study in the Humanities.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
Investigating:
- Identify and gather relevant primary and secondary source materials using appropriate information technologies.
- Manage engagement with primary and secondary source materials by means of the production of annotated bibliographies, reviews, and critical and question-relevant notes on primary source materials.
- Recognise the argument structure of secondary source works and to consider (a) their logic of argument and (b) their use of evidence
- Engage critically with a small selection of primary source materials and be able to (a) historically contextualise them (b) explore the logic of their composition.
- Identify and explain the relevance of themes introduced in lectures and other course material.
- Use accurately technical terminology for the study of religion.
- Be able to contextualise technical terminology for the study of religion (i.e. know to which individual or school of thought a particular term belongs).
- Answer questions on the basis of research (formulate a demonstrable hypothesis).
- |Break down a proposed answer into logical and manageable parts (formulate subordinate hypotheses that adequately support main hypothesis).
- Substantiate with evidence an argument/hypothesis (by means of the sequential substantiation of subordinate hypotheses).
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, academic argument.
How the module will be delivered
The module will be delivered in one-week blocks during the Autumn Semester. Each block will consist of three contact hours and will take up a discrete topic in the Study of Religion. The three contact hours will typically be made up of 2 lectures and 1 small group seminar.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Skills that will be practised and developed
Investigating:
- Distinguish between the designations ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ as contextually derived categories.
- Negotiate and establish an order of priority and an order of extent of engagement with materials gathered for research.
- Consider critically the logic of argument in secondary source materials.
- Isolate topic- and question-relevant evidence in primary source materials.
Knowing:
- Consider critically the use and value of such terminology.
- Contextualise research and argument in terms of aspects of the intellectual history of the study of religion and the development of the Humanities in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- Address the critical issues involved in assessing the value of translated textual sources for the study of religion.
Arguing
- Formulate grammatically correct sentences.
- Formulate stylistically appropriate sentences.
- Reference such that the use of secondary and primary source materials can be audited by examiners.
- Show an awareness of the appropriate forms of use of materials that are the intellectual property of others (both in the legal and the more general sense of ‘ownership’).
- Use appropriate information technologies in the written and oral presentation of research findings.
- Formulate an effective introduction:
§ present the reader/hearer with an overview of the logical structure of an argument (hypothesis).
§ present the reader/hearer with an overview of the evidence upon which an argument will be substantiated.
§ present the reader/hearer with a break-down of the order of substantiation of main points (subordinate hypotheses) of argument.
- formulate an effective conclusion:
§ present reader/hearer with a closing synopsis of an argument.
§ present reader/hearer with suggestions as to the further development of an argument in subsequent research.
§ present reader/hearer with an overview of the significance of the argument: for the topic; for the discipline; and for the wider society.
Developing
- Reflect upon and adjust practice:
§ apply lecture, seminar and tutorial experience to the research and assessment process.
§ integrate feedback on Formative and Summative assessment into research practice such that the student will be able to demonstrate an improve their performance over time.
§ articulate the value of university training to wider life.
How the module will be assessed
The module will be assessed by a two hour examination in January (worth 70% of the final module mark) and a group project and a bibliographic task set and supported in seminars (worth 30% of the final module mark). Participation in lectures and seminars (minimum of 80% attendance) will be a requisite for this assessment.
Assessment Breakdown
Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
---|---|---|---|
Presentation | 20 | Introduction To The Study Of Religion 1 | N/A |
Exam - Autumn Semester | 80 | Introduction To The Study Of Religion 1 | 2 |
Syllabus content
Discursive Content (by week)
Essential Reading and Resource List
Indicative Reading and Resource List: