UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification: BA (Hons) Philosophy, Religion, Culture and Society

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17

  1. Awarding Institution / Body
/ University of Central Lancashire
  1. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery
/ UCLan, Preston Campus
  1. University School/Centre
/ School of Humanities and the Social Sciences
  1. External Accreditation
/ No
  1. Title of Final Award
/ BA (Hons) Philosophy, Religion, Culture and Society
  1. Modes of Attendance offered
/ Full time and/or part time
  1. UCAS Code

  1. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
/ Philosophy, Theology & Religion
  1. Other external influences

  1. Date of production/revision of this form
/ July 2015
  1. Aims of the Programme

  • To offer a broad introduction to a range of religious, ethical, and philosophical traditions in national and international contexts, and provide students with the necessary intellectual resources to critically analyse and assess the foundational principles and tenets of those traditions

  • To encourage students to explore and assess range of factors relating to pluralism in multicultural societies

  • To examine the political, social and cultural impacts of a range of religious and ethical traditions and belief systems

  • To provide an intellectually challenging curriculum that is informed by the research and scholarly activity of the Philosophy and RCS teaching team

  • To create a supportive environment to assist the academic development of students

  • To provide access to students from a range of educational backgrounds to develop their academic and wider potential

  1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

A.Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to:
A1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of relevant religious, ethical and philosophical ideas, traditions, and debates
A2. Displaya critical and philosophically-informed understanding of relevant religious and ethical ideas, traditions and debates, and their influence on British culture and society
A3. Show how a range of contextual factors (historical, economic, social) shape religious, ethical and philosophical ideas, traditions and debates
A4. Demonstrate critical appreciation of a range of primary and secondary sources relating to relevant religious, ethical and philosophical ideas, traditions and debates
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, Interactive Seminars, Group Work, Presentations, Group & Individual Tutorials, Group and Individual Projects, Research and Independent Study, Workshops, e-learning & IT Interaction, Blackboard Learning Support
Assessment methods
Summative Assessment: Essays, Exams, Portfolio, Oral Presentations (group and individual), Project (group and individual), Text/book Review, Reflective Reports, Fieldwork, IT Discussion, Proposals, Research Project, Dissertation.
Formative Assessment: discussions and/or debates, self reflection, peer interactive work, reflective portfolio and Personal Development Planning (PDP) which also incorporates reflection on fieldwork experience which is not formally assessed.
B.Subject-specific skills
Students will be able to:
B1. Demonstrate a capacity to apply both comparative and critical analysis to ideas, principles and beliefs emanating from a variety of religious, ethical and philosophical traditions via the work of major contributors to those ideas/traditions, encountered in their own writings
B2. Demonstrate a capacity to assess and critically evaluate relevant religious, ethical
and philosophical ideas and traditions, with sensitivity and integrity
B3. Demonstrate the ability to recognise methodological errors, rhetorical devices, unexamined conventional wisdom, vagueness and unnoticed assumptions in the arguments offered in support of a variety of religious, ethical and philosophical views
B4. Devise a research project involving independent study, the location of appropriate sources and the analysis of relevant material relating to the academic study of religion, ethics and/or philosophy
B5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, locate and use electronic and print based materials related to the academic study of religion, ethics and philosophy
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, Interactive Seminars, Group Work, Presentations, Group & Individual Tutorials, Group and Individual Projects, Research and Independent Study, Workshops, e-learning & IT Interaction, Blackboard Learning Support
Assessment methods
Summative Assessment: Essays, Exams, Portfolio, Oral Presentations (group and individual), Project (group and individual), Text/book Review, Reflective Reports, Fieldwork, IT Discussion, Proposals, Research Project, Dissertation.
Formative Assessment: discussions and/or debates, self reflection, peer interactive work, reflective portfolio and Personal Development Planning (PDP), which also incorporates reflection on fieldwork experience which is not formally assessed.
C.Thinking Skills
Students will be able to:
C1. Demonstrate skills of analytical and critical thinking in relation to the key themes, issues and developments of the core strands of the syllabus
C2. Demonstrate independent learning and research skills and the ability to identify, organise and evaluate relevant primary and secondary source materials
C3. Demonstrate the ability to assess and convey diverse opinions, theories and perspectives clearly, succinctly, rigorously, and in a balanced manner
C4. Demonstrate the capacity to devise a focused research question and coherent research project involving independent study, location of appropriate sources and analysis of relevant materials
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, Interactive Seminars, Group Work, Presentations, Group & Individual Tutorials, Group and Individual Projects, Research and Independent Study, Workshops, e-learning & IT Interaction, Blackboard Learning Support
Assessment methods
Summative Assessment: Essays, Exams, Portfolio, Project (group and individual), Text/book Review, Reflective Reports, IT Discussion, Proposals, Research Project, Dissertation.
Formative Assessment: discussions and/or debates, IT interaction (chat/discussion board), Utilisation of Blackboard Learning and LLRS provision (relevant journals/ articles)
D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
Students will be able to:
D1 Demonstrate the ability to identify, collect and evaluate information from a variety of sources
D2 Demonstrate skills of analytical and critical thinking, and their appropriate application
D3 Demonstrate an ability to present and communicate ideas and arguments effectively, in oral and written form, using appropriate techniques
D4 Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and cooperatively, displaying skills such as self- and time management, negotiation and effective communication
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, Interactive Seminars, Group Work, Presentations, Group & Individual Tutorials, Group and Individual Projects, Research and Independent Study, Workshops, e-learning & IT Interaction, Blackboard Learning Support
Assessment methods
Summative Assessment: Essays, Exams, Portfolio, Oral Presentations (group and individual), Project (group and individual), Text/book Review, Reflective Reports, Fieldwork, IT Discussion, Proposals, Research Project, Dissertation.
Formative Assessment: discussions and/or debates, self reflection, peer interactive work, reflective portfolio and Personal Development Planning (PDP)
13.Programme Structures* / 14.Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 6 / RB3990
PI3991
RB3001
PI3006
PI3021
RB3003
RB3005
PI3004 / Core modules
Dissertation in Religion, Culture and Society
Philosophy Dissertation
Optional modules:
Perceptions of Morality
Modern European Thought
Contemporary Ethical Theory
Religion in a Global Village
Political Islam & Islamic Movements
Humanity, Values and the Environment / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / Bachelor of Arts (Hons)in Philosophy and Religion, Culture and Society
Requires 360 credits including a minimum of 220 at Level 5 or above and 100 at Level 6
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion, Culture and Society
Requires 320 credits including a minimum of 220 at Level 5 or above and 60 at Level 6
Level 5 / RB221
PI2214
PI2001
PI2211
PI2005
RB2001
Level 5 / Compulsory modules:
Sacredness & Spirituality
Foundations of Ethics
Philosophy of Religion
Optional modules:
Metaphysics and Epistemology
Phenomenology and Existentialism
Exploring Christian Theology
Free choice elective
(e.g. language) / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / Diploma of Higher Education in Philosophy and Religion, Culture and Society
Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 100 at Level 5 or above
Level 4 / RB1334
PI1117
PI1118
RB1013
RB1005
RB1007
PI1005
PI1119
Level 4 / Core modules:
Understanding Religion & Belief
Reason and Argument
Knowledge and Freedom
Optional modules:
Introduction to Judaic & Christian Thought
Introduction to Islam
Fundamentalism and Cultural Heritage
The Value of Knowledge: What is Education For?
Problems in Contemporary Applied Ethics
Free choice elective
(e.g. language) / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / Certificate of Higher Education
Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or above
15.Personal Development Planning
PDP is embedded into the curriculum through a variety of reflective activities, such as: reflective portfolio work, peer interactive sessions, interactive discussions, tutorial appointments, formative assessment etc. (please see individual module descriptors for full details).
16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Applicants must have 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above plus a 12 unit profile the equivalent of two subjects at Advanced Level (A2). The minimum level of attainment required for entry to the start of standard courses leading to awards at first degree level is expressed in terms of UCAS Tariff Points.
Please check the course website for the most up-to-date tariff requirements.
17.Key sources of information about the programme
  • Prospectus

  • Fact Sheet

  • RCS Web Page and/or Philosophy Web Page - include programme information in terms of course content, progression routes, PGCE progression, careers, employability & community support, RCS field trips, the course team, research output etc.

  • Education & Social Science Web Page

  • Course Handbook

18.Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / B5 / C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4
e.g. LEVEL 6 / RB3990 / RCS Dissertation / Core / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI3991 / Philosophy dissertation / Core / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI3006 / Modern European Thought / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI3021 / Contemporary ethical theory / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI3004 / Humanity, Values and the Environment / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
RB3001 / Perceptions of Morality / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
RB3003 / Religion in a Global Village / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
RB3005 / Political Islam & Islamic Movements / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
e.g. LEVEL 5 / RB2241 / Sacredness & Spirituality / Comp / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI2214 / Foundations of Ethics / Comp / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI2001 / Philosophy of Religion / Comp / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI2211 / Metaphysics and Epistemology / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI2005 / Phenomenology and Existentialism / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
RB2001 / Exploring Christian Theology / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
e.g. LEVEL 4 / RB1334 / Understanding Religion & Belief / Core / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI1117 / Reason and Argument / Core / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI1118 / Knowledge and Freedom / Core / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
RB1007 / Fundamentalism and Cultural Heritage / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
RB1013 / Introduction to Judaic & Christian Thought / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
RB1005 / Introduction to Islam / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI1005 / The Value of Knowledge; What is Education For? / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI1119 / Problems in Contemporary Applied Ethics / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X

Note:Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks