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Introduction
The Philosophy and Religion: Eastern and Western Thought programme is a distance-learning course designed for students who want to explore important philosophical and religious issues about life and the nature of our existence but don’t want to be limited in their study to one particular pathway or tradition.
It explores key topics in philosophy and religion, such as the nature of the self, the nature of reality, and the nature of religious experiences, from various philosophical and religious perspectives, from both eastern and western traditions.
Why choose this course?
1. The course is delivered via distance-learning and its structure allows students the flexibility to arrange their study around their other commitments.
2. Students have access to a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that provides them with a wide range of electronic resources.
3. Coursework assessment, with no exams.
4. Students receive support from subject specialists in Philosophy, Religious Studies and Chinese Studies.
Overview
Students undertake four taught modules during their first year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of study before progressing to Part II and the writing of their dissertation. In Part I, students study one compulosry 30 credit module and three optional 30 credit modules (120 credits in total).
The programme is delivered via distance learning. There is no requirement to visit our campus, although you are always welcome to do so. The programme consists of online lectures, discussion forums and one-to-one tutorials.
Modules
Part I (PG Cert, PG Dip & MA)
• Applied Ethics (30 credits; optional)
• Buddhist Philosophy – Mahayana and Zen Approaches (30 credits; optional)
• Chinese Conceptions of the Self (30 credits; optional)
• Environmental Philosophy (30 credits; optional)
• Interfaith Encounters: Religious Interaction in a Complex World (30 credits; optional)
• Islam Today (30 credits; optional)
• Knowledge, Reason and Reality (30 credits; optional)
• Mind & Body: Descartes and Wittgenstein (30 credits; optional)
• Moral Philosophy (30 credits; optional)
• Religious Experience Today (30 credits; optional)
• Sufism and Islamic Spirituality: The Mystical Dimensions of Islam (30 credits; optional)
• The Islamic Intellectual Tradition: Medieval, Modern and Contemporary (30 credits; optional)
• The Self: East and West (30 credits; compulsory).
Part II (MA)
• MA Dissertation (Philosophy) (60 credits; compulsory).
Entry Criteria
An honours degree (2:1 or above) in a cognate discipline or an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment
Philosophy & Religion (MA) grounds your learning across a number of different theoretical and practical areas, including the theory of interfaith studies and inter-religious relation, specific geographical contexts, and historical themes and perspectives. This is accomplished through a blend of teaching assessments, including a final dissertation focused on a subject of your choice.
Career Opportunities
The programme will help students to develop skills that are valuable to a wide range of employers, such as the ability to:
• analyse complex information in a critical manner;
• present clear and coherent arguments;
• present complex information in a clear manner.
More particularly, the programme will attract students who are looking to take up future employment opportunities, or are already in employment, in areas or sectors where an understanding of interfaith issues will be of benefit.
It will also appeal to students who are looking towards a religious and/or devotional service, a life of public service, and various voluntary-based projects.
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