Theology and Religion

Your community, your University

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Contents

The department 3What makes us different? 5The National Student Survey 6Theology and Religion (BA Hons) 8What our students say 9Course details 10Careers for Theology and Religion graduates 17Our employability pledge 20Staff profiles 22

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The department

We are committed toeducating students so that theygrow as people and areequipped to contribute to thegood of society.

We offer an exciting course which gets togrips with the serious questions confrontingthe world.

• How can people of different faiths livetogether peacefully?

• What do Muslims really believe?• Does God exist?• What do you have to do to live a good

life?• Why do people suffer?• What can we learn from the Bible?

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What makes usdifferent?

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Here are some reasons people give for studying with us:

• Highly ranked for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey• A diverse and exciting range of module choices• Small classes and regular individual tutorials• Enthusiastic and committed staff who love teaching their subject• Guidance on career choices after university• Good links with Chichester Cathedral• Work Placement modules so you can gain valuable employment

experience

We are a small and friendly department located in an attractive CathedralCity offering a varied and exciting course.

The National Student Survey is an independentmarket research survey carried out by IpsosMORI. Final year students are asked about theirexperience of the course. In 2012 Chichesterscored 91% student satisfaction in Theology andReligion.

The National StudentSurvey

We also scored high levels of studentsatisfaction in the following areas:

• Staff are good at explainingthings – 92%

• Staff have made their subjectinteresting – 96%

• Staff are enthusiastic about whatthey are teaching – 92%

• The course is intellectuallystimulating – 93%

• The course is well organised and isrunning smoothly – 91%

• The library resources and servicesare good enough for my needs –95%

• The course has helped me topresent myself with confidence –90%

• As a result of the course, I feelconfident in tackling unfamiliarproblems – 90%

91%Student Satisfaction6

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Theology and Religion (BA Hons)

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At the heart of our BATheology and Religion degreeis the idea of advancedreligious literacy.

Advanced religious literacy refers to theknowledge you need to be an expert onphilosophical, ethical and religious mattersin the world today.

Year one:In year one we build on your knowledgeto explore why it is that advanced religiousliteracy is so important. We look at theways in which religion and ethics shape allaspects of culture including film, literature,politics, TV, and music.

Year two:Having explored the importance ofadvanced religious literacy, in year two weseek to build-up your knowledge. You canchoose from wide range of modules todevelop the expertise you need.

Year three:In year three we ask you to employ yournew skills. You study important issues inmodern society analysing the place ofreligious, philosophical and ethical ideas.

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I would highly recommendChichester to anyone wishingto study Theology andReligion. The smalldepartment size has apersonal feel and meansthat links with tutors arestrong, and support isalways available.

The Theology and Religiondegree is enlightening andrewarding, it gives you agreat insight into thequestions that we all aredesperate to have answered.

The Theology and Religiondegree is fascinating as itbrings together manydifferent disciplines, such asphilosophy, ethics, biblicalstudies, world religions,doctrine and worship. Thelecturers at Chichester areengaging and supportive, and learning in smalland friendly classes has greatly increased myconfidence, particularly in group work andpresentations.

What our students say

DeborahStacey

Rosie Vinter

Peter Owen

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Year one *In year one we investigate the ways in whichethical, religious and philosophical ideasshape and inform all aspects of modernculture.

In the major core module, Religion andContemporary Culture, we study film, TV,literature, and contemporary music analysingimportant concepts and themes. The rangeis enormous, stretching from Lady Gaga toThe West Wing and House, to films like TheMatrix and novelists like Iris Murdoch.

In addition you will study issues inPhilosophy of Religion, Biblical Studies,Ethics, Religious Studies and ChristianTheology.

The modules you will study are:

• The Many Faces of Jesus• The New Atheists• Living the Good Life• Theology and Politics• Exploring Religious Identities• Religions and Conflict

Year twoIn year two we offer a wide range ofmodules which add to your existingknowledge and understanding.

Some students choose to pursue modules inChristian Theology and Biblical Studies.Others will study modules in the areas ofEthics and Philosophy of Religion, and somedecide on modules in the field of ReligiousStudies. However a majority mix and match,selecting modules from different placesdepending on their interests. The widechoice and flexible programme means youcan select the modules that you enjoy themost.

PlacementsWe also offer placement modules so thatyou can gain vital experience in theworkplace. There are two placementmodules – the schools placement for thoseinterested in a career in teaching and thework placement for those choosing otherprofessions.

Students find the placement modulesstimulating and invaluable when it comes tofinding high-quality employment afteruniversity.

Course details

Year threeYear three is all about employing your newlydeveloped skills and knowledge.

A dissertation module allows you to study atopic that fascinates you in great depth

A cross-curricular module enables you tostudy an issue or theme from a variety ofdifferent standpoints.

You can then choose from a wide range ofmodules covering such subjects as pluralismand inter-faith dialogue, religion and film, theenvironment and consumerism, religion andgender, biblical texts, and the problem of eviland suffering.

* Final modules subject to re-approval.

“The Theology and Religion degree atChichester is fascinating, challenging andthought provoking. It really opens yourmind and makes you think deeply aboutthings you perhaps never had thoughtabout. The relaxed and friendlyatmosphere on campus is great”.

Emilie Underwood

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Small group workOne distinctive feature of the course atChichester is the amount of time youspend in small groups and tutorials.

From week one you will be put into agroup of five or six students. The groupis run by a member of staff. You meettwice-a-week for one hour to discuss andexplore important aspects of yourlectures and study.

The group helps you develop your skillsas an independent researcher. It helpsyou understand lectures better andprepare for assignments.

TutorialsIn addition you will have a tutorial with amember of staff once a fortnight. Theseare an opportunity for you to discussyour progress and raise any concerns.

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Dr Graeme Smith Reader in Public Theology

Graeme is a public theologian, investigating the role of religion insocial, cultural and political life. He explores the diverse ways inwhich religion shapes contemporary debates and discussions,especially in politics. He has written about Margaret Thatcher,Tony Blair, and movements such as ‘Red Toryism’. He is editor ofthe international-refereed journal Political Theology and author ofa large number of articles and books. His most recent book AShort History of Secularism attracted widespread attention.

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Highly committed staffThe staff in the department are committed tohigh quality, effective teaching and ground-breaking research.

Staff write academic books and articles, areinvolved in research projects, speak atconferences and seminars, and share theirresearch findings with popular audiences.

Recent research topics examined include:

• Jesus and Scripture• Secularism• Islamic Education in the UK• Lady Gaga: Theology and Popular Music• Red Toryism• Citizen Theology• Primary School Assemblies• The Later New Testament Writers and

Scripture• Pragmatic Political Theology• Paul and Scripture

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The attention we pay to thecareer aspirations of ourgraduates, is a distinctive featureof our Theology and Religiondepartment.

Over 91% of graduates (9 out of 10) fromChichester are in jobs or further study sixmonths after graduating.

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) M 2010

Our graduates can go on to a variety ofcareers in:• Journalism • Law • Publishing• Teaching (primary and secondary)• Personnel management and humanresources

• Police service • Politics• Church ministry • Health care & nursing • Community work • Social work

One recent graduate is Rebecca Goldsmithwho works in publishing. She writes,

“I am working at SCM Press. I am the RightsManager and Editorial Assistant, so I amresponsible for foreign rights and translations andany reproductions of SCM material. Plus, aseditorial assistant, I manage the production ofbooks from manuscript to book proofs. I reallyenjoy working in publishing - it is nice to be ableto see something from start to finish. To be ableto hold a book in your hand and know that youfacilitated that is very rewarding and notsomething I think you get to experience in manycareer paths.”

Career destinations

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One popular career choice for those with adegree in Theology and Religion is teaching.We help those who want to pursue thiscareer by:

• Offering an extended placement modulewhich can be undertaken in a school

• Exploring the most important issues REteachers face

• Providing modules designed to make sureyou have the knowledge you need for theclassroom

• Ensuring you get good advice fromChichester's PGCE tutor who is amember of our department and teaches anumber of modules

Sarah Beard and Graham Cook are recentgraduates who have successfully gonepursued a career in teaching.

Graham Cook writes,

"Since leaving the course Ihave gone on to train tobe an RE teacher,undertaking a PGCEcourse. I have a job linedup at a secondary school from September.

The degree has given me a great subjectknowledge of world religions and Christiantheology. It is a fantastic course that includes agreat variety of subject matter and teachingstyles. The staff are very supportive andsmaller numbers of students in a lecture reallyallows for all to get the attention and help youneed. Lecturers are very open and encourage awide range of views, playing devils advocatewhen necessary. As for the students, there is awide range of backgrounds and beliefs, youngand old, religious or non-religious, part-time orfull-time, so this course really does cater for all."

Sarah Beard went on to train as asecondary school teacher and now works ina school in Swindon. She writes:

"The Theology andReligion course isinteresting and thoughtprovoking. It offers thechance to explore a widerange of topics, fromBiblical Study andSystematic Theology, to World Religions, Ethicsand Christian Politics. The lecturers aresupportive and enthusiastic and the library iswell stocked with useful texts and articlesmaking the modules both enjoyable andaccessible. "

Dr Ruth Mantin is PGCE tutor forsecondary RS teaching. She is also amember of the department who will teachyou in years 1, 2 and 3.

She is always happy to advise you on thebest ways of pursuing a career in teachingincluding the best modules to select on thedegree.

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Our employability pledge

We understand the importanceof ensuring that you have theknowledge, skills and experienceto compete successfully intoday’s challenging jobs market.

In addition to the work placements andsector-specific employability and enterprisemodules that many of you will haveembedded in your course, we havedeveloped a student and graduate internshipscheme.

Our commitment is to make sure thatstudents and graduates from all disciplineswho register on the programme, andsuccessfully complete the necessarypreparation, have the opportunity to applyfor carefully matched internships. *

This programme aims to ensure that you willgraduate with:• a focused high-quality CV• interview and selection centre

preparation• the ability to identify and articulate

transferable skills• experience of a recruitment process• substantive relevant work experience • workplace skills

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As part of the programme we aim to:

• provide a free matching service toidentify the needs and aspirations of bothgraduates and employers

• identify and promote short-term studentemployment opportunities with a focuson specific sectors

• ensure that there is a range ofopportunities to be provided includinginternships, both short and long duration.

• sign-posting Chichester graduates toother universities’ internship schemes intheir home area, where available.

* Gaining an internship is the result of acompetitive interview process with theprospective employer so an internshipcannot be guaranteed. The programme isintended to provide a progressive workexperience package tailored both to yourcourse and your career aspirations ongraduation.

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Staff profiles

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We bring a great amount of enthusiasm, skill and expertise to our teaching. We have writtenwidely in our teaching area, in some cases writing the most important textbooks that you willstudy. We are a diverse department, committed to the study of theology and religion, andenthusiastic about the relevance and importance of our subject.

Dr Ruth MantinSenior Lecturer

Dr Andrew ChandlerDirector of theGeorge Bell Institute

Revd Dr Colin LawlorAssociate Lecturer

Heather BallamyTheologyAdministrator

Steve SmithAssociate Lecturer

Dr Stephen Roberts Senior Lecturer

Professor SteveMoyiseHead of Department

Dr Graeme SmithReader

Canon RebeccaSwyer Senior Lecturer

Elizabeth HolmesAssociateLecturer

Margaret Guise Associate Lecturer

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Find out moreContact: Dr Graeme Smith, Admissions tutorTel: 01243 816191Email: g.smith@chi.ac.ukWeb: www.chi.ac.uk/theology

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