Program Overview

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Please note: this course is for 2022/23 entry only

Religious Studies at Liverpool Hope explores the practice and significance of religion in contemporary society through the study of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, African religion, and Indic traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. A balance between the study of religious texts and lived religion in the contemporary world is maintained throughout the degree. Religious Studies pays close attention to what supporters to these religions believe, and explores the very real differences that exist between various groups within each faith.

Throughout your studies, you will analyse and contextualise the theology behind key religions to appreciate their history and their relevance to the social and political landscape. All of our teaching is research-informed and you will be taught by highly-qualified academics, all of whom have a PhD in the area, who are both active and published researchers and committed teachers. We work hard to provide top-quality educational opportunities for all our students, and the Department has recently invested heavily in learning resources; combined library holdings in Theology and Religion are now in excess of 100,000 volumes.

Above all, the Religious Studies degree treats religions as lived faiths by looking at the way that they are followed in Britain and across the globe today. You acquire skills in the different methods of studying religion. The degree looks at questions of faith and life and at the same time is intellectually challenging. By drawing out the complex issues that surround religious belief and expression, the degree equips you to engage with the pressing questions of our time and to play your part in promoting religious and social harmony.

THEOLOGY

Across 2,000 years, the Christian tradition has provoked an immense wealth of theological ideas, has adapted itself to many cultural forms and has shaped human minds and events. This degree offers you the opportunity to study Christianity from a number of perspectives – historical, doctrinal, pastoral and contextual – so that you will acquire expertise in finding your way through this complex and rich field of study.

The degree includes the academic study of the Christian Bible and embodies our commitment to take faith seriously, whilst at the same time to be intellectually stretching, stimulating and challenging. The teaching staff in the Department represent a broad range of Christian traditions, and are all published experts in their own particular fields. We have an extensive library collection in theology and religion, amounting to well over 100,000 volumes in total, and we are investing significantly in enhancing this even further, particularly with electronic resources.

By exploring the textual, historical, political and philosophical aspects of theology, our provision in this area provides you with a holistic and in-depth appreciation of the subject.