Theology and Religious Studies (OCR AS and A2 Level)

The course offers a variety of opportunities with excellent prospects. Postgraduates have worked in journalism, media, teaching, healthcare, ICl: church ministry, chaplaincy and local government.

Course details
Students will explore a wide range of Theological and Philosophical issues during this course.

Course content
The course AS/A2 consists of 3 exams of 1 hour in the study of Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics. AS Foundation paper in January and second two modules in June.  All A2 papers take place in June

Module 1 - Foundation in Philosophy and Ethics
Module 2 - Philosophy of Religion
Module 3 - Religious Ethics
Module 4 - Synoptic

1. Philosophy of Religion
Students will explore theological questions in the light of the challenge posed by philosophy in the following areas:

The Philosophical arguments for the existence of God
They will study:
- The design argument
- The cosmological argument
- Religious and scientific interpretations of the origins of the universe

A study of the problem of evil and suffering
- Types of evil
- The problem of evil and suffering in relation to beliefs about the nature of God
- Theodicies

A study of philosophical debates on miracles
- Plato and Aristotle
- Body and Soul
- Life after Death

2. Ethics
Students will investigate moral choices and look at the values that lie behind them, the reasons people give for them, and the languages they use to describe them. Students will have to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical topics.

A study of the relationship between religion and morality
- Reasons for and against the view that morality derives from religion
- Meta ethics
- Virtue ethics
A study of ethical theories:
- Utilitarianism
- Situation Ethics
A study of applied ethics:
- Conscience and freedom
- Sexual ethics
- War and peace