This is one of several specialist routes available in our BA (Honours) Social Sciences (R23) degree. Half of your studies will be in interdisciplinary social science and sociology giving you a firm grounding in knowledge and ideas central to the social sciences. For the other half, you’ll explore a variety of phenomena mediated by religion from consumerism and the environment, atheism and Hindu nationalism, to the urban environment and contemporary pilgrimage. On completion of this degree, you’ll be able to apply knowledge and ideas from religious studies and the wider social sciences to a broad range of practical and real world issues. You’ll also have gained many transferable skills – opening up employment opportunities in private, public and voluntary sector organisations.
**Key features of the course**
- Specialise in religious studies within a broad interdisciplinary social science degree.
- Learn how to apply cutting edge ideas from the field of religious studies to a broad range of real world situations.
- Develop skills in independent working and apply these in an extended essay based on a literature based research project.
- Gain a degree directly relevant to careers where critical analysis is at a premium or that involve understanding the workings of society, such as the civil service, local government, research and policy work.
Course Details - Modules
Stage 1 (120 credits):
You'll begin with a broad introductory module providing you with a solid foundation in the social sciences, crucial for your understanding of the religious studies modules you'll take later in this qualification. Your second Stage 1 module builds on and extends this broad introduction exploring everyday topics such as money, home, rights and boundaries.
Modules:
Introducing the social sciences (DD102);
Investigating the social world (DD103).
Stage 2 (120 credits):
Stage 2 includes an introduction to the study of religions, exploring places, practices, texts and experiences. You'll encounter a range of religious traditions, in particular Christianity, Hinduism and Islam, in diverse geographical, cultural and historical contexts. You'll study these religions as they are actually lived and investigate their impact on different societies and cultures. You'll also discover how sociologists and other social scientists explain and understand the social world, investigating topics such as voting behaviour and the commercialisation of childhood.
Modules :
You'll study both of the following:
The uses of social science (DD206);
Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences (A227).
Stage 3 (120 credits):
You'll complete your investigation of religious studies by using sociological, ethnographic and historical sources to explore intricate connections between religion and politics, tradition, gender, multiculturalism, animism, atheism, violence, sex and capitalism. You'll also explore sociological approaches to the material world, interrogating how social experience is shaped by matter and made meaningful through material culture.
Modules :
You'll study both of the following:
Making social worlds (DD308);
Why is religion controversial? (A332).
Course Details – Assessment Method
We will assess your learning with some or all of the following, depending on the precise modules you choose:
- tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
- interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
- formal examinations
- end-of-module assessments (EMAs).
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
Deadline are not listed for this Course. This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
Application Code are not listed for this Course.
Institution code:
O11
Campus Name:
Distance Learning
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
At The Open University we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
