BA Philosophy and Theology

What does the programme cover?

The core modules in philosophy and theology ground you in these two distinct disciplines, and the philosophy of religion provides a bridge between them. The four first year modules are compulsory, introducing you to the study of value and religion, to theory of knowledge, and to metaphysics and the Bible. In the second year and third years you carry these themes forward: with some scope for choices you will cover aspects of the history of philosophy, and either ethics or political philosophy, together with central theological themes: The Concept of God and Central Christian Teachings.

In your final year the module on Belief and Unbelief draws together the arguments for and against belief that arise from the Darwinian world-view, the mechanistic world-view, and from major thinkers such as Marx, Freud and Nietzsche. Further choices allow you to select from a varied range of modules, or opt to complete a dissertation on a subject chosen by you and intended to draw on several areas of study in preceding years.

Clear thinking and expression are the very essence of philosophy and theology. Reading the great philosophers and theologians and being required to work hard at precise examination of abstract subjects develops habits of mind which are invaluable in many areas of life. The programme helps you to communicate clearly and concisely in written formats of varying types and lengths, to present well-structured thought and cogent arguments, to discuss complex issues in an open minded but rigorous way, and to abstract and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.