First Year Courses

REL1002F Religions Past and Present 

Structure: First-year, first-semester course, 3 lectures and 1 tutorial per week.
Convener: Dr Louis Blond
Entrance requirements: None

This course provides an introduction to the study of religion and various religious traditions. Students are introduced to the analysis of religious symbols, myths, rituals, teachings, and practices. Special attention is given to African indigenous religious traditions, Asian religions (including e.g. Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Japanese religions) and New Religious Movements that have emerged as alternative sources of religious identity and meaning in the world.

REL1015F Religions Past and Present + 

Structure: First-year, first-semester course, 3 lectures and 1 tutorial per week.
Convener: Dr Louis Blond
Entrance requirements: None (extended programme students only).

The purpose of this course is to augment and support its co-requisite course: REL1002F RELIGIONS PAST AND PRESENT. It aims to improve students’ performance by enhancing their grasp of key ideas and concepts, and by developing their mastery of the disciplinary discourse. It provides additional pedagogic enrichment in the form of regular Plus Tuts that extend into Writing Hub exercises and consultations. In these tutorials, students will receive explicit support around the co-requisite course assignments and detailed feedback on their written work.

REL1006S Judaism Christianity and Islam

Structure: First-year, second-semester course, 3 lectures and 1 tutorial per week.
Convener: Assoc/Prof Elisabetta Porcu
Entrance requirements: None

This course begins by introducing the religions of the Ancient Near East (Egypt, Mesopotamia and Persia). Students then explore the historical foundations of Judaism, Christianity and Islam through examining the formation and development of sacred texts, techniques of interpretation, and religious practices within these three important religious traditions. By studying these religions, the course reflects on the continuity and diversity of historical traditions, social formations and religious identities in the world.

REL1016S Judaism Christianity and Islam +

Structure: First-year, second-semester course, 3 lectures and 1 tutorial per week.
Convener: Assoc/Prof Elisabetta Porcu 
Entrance requirements: None (extended programme students only).

The purpose of this course is to augment and support its co-requisite course: REL1006S JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM. It aims to improve students’ performance by enhancing their grasp of key ideas and concepts, and by developing their mastery of the disciplinary discourse. It provides additional pedagogic enrichment in the form of regular Plus Tuts that extend into Writing Hub exercises and consultations. In these tutorials, students will receive explicit support around the co- requisite course assignments and detailed feedback on their written work.

REL1017S African Religious Traditions

Structure: First-year, second-semester course, 2 lectures and 2 tutorials per week.
Convener: Professor Asonzeh Ukah  
Entrance requirements: None

Africa is religiously pluralistic, having three major religious traditions. These are African indigenous religions, Christianity and Islam. Each of these is internally diverse and multifaceted, creating a mosaic of religious cultures, rituals, communities, ethics and worldviews. This course intends to investigate the histories, rituals and discourses of the traditions where they interact, differ and display common elements. As an introductory course to Religious Studies, we use content that engages the diversity of students' lifeworlds and is cognizant of our African location. We employ innovative teaching and delivery methods, including multilingual pedagogies and digital literacy, that allow more time for active engagement and the development of critical reading, writing and analytical skills in the Humanities.