Bath Spa University

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Study of Religions

A fascinating exploration of religious ideas and practices and their influence on the world.

For more information about this course please visit the School of Humanities and Cultural Industries website.

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Study of Religions at Bath Spa University is seen as an academic pursuit, not a religious activity. Our course is deliberately wide-ranging in its choice of religions and spiritual traditions to study.

Study of Religions develops your research skills of analysis, evaluation and interpretation of events. Understanding the real significance of religious ideas, practices and values in today's global, multi-cultural society helps in any career which involves dealing with people.

Course Structure and Content

Please note that Study of Religions at Bath Spa is available as a Combined Award, so you will choose another subject to study with it. Popular combinations include Philosophy and Ethics, History, Cultural Studies and Education - but there is a wide choice of subjects available.

Year 1

You will take the compulsory core module:

Beyond Belief: An Introduction to the Study of Religions and Spiritualities.

You can then choose one or both of the following optional modules:

Gurus, Buddhas and Swamis: Introduction to Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism;
Children of Abraham: Introduction to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Year 2

You must take the core compulsory module Studying Religions, which includes a one-week placement in a religious community, plus up to two optional modules chosen from:

Buddhism: Historical and Doctrinal Developments;
Power, Duty and Desire: Life and Liberation in the Hindu Tradition;
Exploring Global Christianity;
Spiritual Revolution: Pagan, New and Alternative Religions;
Sunni, Shi'a and Sufi: Exploring Islamic Diversity;
Saints and Soldiers: Mysticism, Militancy and Modernity in the Sikh Tradition;
Revelation and Reality: an Understanding of the Jewish Tradition;
Ethics, Religion and Humanism: Contemporary Moral Dilemmas;
Religion, Philosophy and Culture in Korea;
God on the Brain: Psychological and Natural Scientific Studies of Religion;
Mysticism and Radicalism in Religions;
Religion, Diversity and Equality;
Putting Your Study of Religions Degree to Work.

Year 3

You may take up to four modules, or a dissertation plus up to two modules, chosen from:

The Song of the Lord: Hinduism, Religion, Scripture and the Bhagavad Gita;
Religion, Culture and Society in Japan;
Disenchantment and Re-enchantment: a Sociology of Religions and Spiritualities;
Buddhism in Practice: Visions of Life, Work, Death and Liberation;
Without Fear or Favour: National and International Perspectives on Religion, Culture and Education;
Sexing Spirituality: Religion, Gender and Sexuality;
Becoming Divine: 21st Century Philosophy of Religion;
Religion and the Locality.

Teaching Methods and Resources

Religious beliefs and practices are studied in an open and objective way. Films, guest speakers and fieldwork visits to religious venues complement lectures and seminars.

Issues and approaches in the study of religions are also explored, to develop a critical awareness of theories, methods and concepts in the study of religion.

There is a lively programme of visiting speakers to the 'World-View Society' organised by the department for students, staff and others interested in studying religions.

Every student in Year 2 spends a week living as a visitor in a religious community (which may be Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, New Age etc) as part of the 'Studying Religions' module. It is possible to spend time studying abroad, particularly at our summer school in Korea, or for a half or whole year in Finland, Romania and the USA.