Introducing religions
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| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | A217 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 7 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
This course offers an introduction to the study of religions, and to six living religious traditions that have had – and continue to have – a major influence on world affairs: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. You will explore their historical development and contemporary manifestations, developing your knowledge and understanding of different practices and beliefs and their underpinning concepts and principles. You will also examine aspects of the religious dimension in current affairs – while developing skills of analysis and evaluation that will benefit future studies in religion and other academic disciplines.
Modules at Level 2 assume that you are suitably prepared for study at this level. If you want to take a single module to satisfy your career development needs or pursue particular interests, you don’t need to start at Level 1 but you do need to have adequately prepared yourself for OU study in some other way. Check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service to make sure that you are sufficiently prepared.
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What you will study
Why study religion? An understanding of the world’s religious traditions is crucial in helping us to appreciate not just the varied forms of belief and practice that we encounter at home, abroad and in the media, but also the influence that religion has on world affairs. By exploring the religious concepts and principles underpinning a wide range of worldviews and lifestyles, Introducing religions will enhance your knowledge and understanding of ideas and events, past and present, around the world.
This course will introduce you to issues important to the study of religions – such as the differences between studying and doing religion – and will help you to develop methodological skills of analysis and evaluation across a wide range of sources that will benefit future studies either in religion or other academic disciplines.
Each of the six traditions covered in this course has shaped the spiritual, social, political and economic lives of its adherents, and continues to influence the everyday lives of millions of people all over the world. You will also examine the diversity within these religious traditions and the factors – both internal and external – that typically contribute to this diversity.
Using a short introductory text for each religion (supported by study guides, audio CDs and a DVD), you will look at: the different ways in which religions shape how people see the world and their purpose in it; the role of religious founders, leaders and texts; and a range of religious rituals, practices and patterns of behaviour. In short, you’ll look at how people live their religion.
All this will help you to recognise and appreciate the practical implications of following a given religion, and to develop an approach to the study of religion which is accurate in its description of different beliefs and worldviews, and sensitive to what these mean to their adherents.
If you would like more information about this course you can visit the A217 website which has further details about the course content, short samples of study materials, and frequently asked questions.
You will learn
You will learn about the major features of six religious traditions in terms of their historical development, beliefs and social forms. You will become familiar with the beliefs and practices that characterise the lifestyle of adherents to these religions in the contemporary world and some of the media through which religious insight is expressed (for example, texts, ritual performance, symbolism, architecture and material culture). You will gain practical experience in the study of religions, using appropriate technical language and methodologies.
Vocational relevance
By exploring the religious concepts and principles underpinning a wide range of world views and lifestyles, Introducing religions will enhance your knowledge and understanding of ideas and events, past and present, around the world. It should also help you to develop empathy and sensitivity when dealing with divergent views and pluralism of belief.
Knowledge about and understanding of various religious traditions might be particularly useful to teachers; health professionals; social workers; community workers; personnel workers and those involved in the food and catering industry. Anyone dealing with the public in today’s multi-religious environment might benefit from this course.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course and builds on the Level 1 courses The arts past and present (AA100), Voices and texts (A150) and Making sense of things: an introduction to material culture (A151). These Level 1 courses develop skills such as logical thinking, clear expression, essay writing and the ability to select and interpret relevant materials. They also offer an introduction to a range of subjects in the arts and humanities.
If you have not studied at university level before, you are strongly advised to study at Level 1 before progressing to Level 2 study.
Your regional or national centre can advise you on where you can see reference copies of Level 1 study materials. Some are also available from Open University Worldwide Ltd. We particularly recommend looking at these materials if you have not successfully completed Level 1 study or studied at an equivalent level elsewhere.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
No preparatory work is necessary for this course, but students might like to note that the set texts for this course are the A Very Short Introduction to the six religions listed in the Set Books section, published by Oxford University Press.
While students may want to start on some reading with these, please remember that the study guides, DVD and audio CDs provided with the study materials will expand on and explain in greater detail the material encountered in the Very Short Introduction texts.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
The printed study materials are available in the DAISY Digital Talking Book format. The books are available in a comb-bound format. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:
- help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
- Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- using a computer for OU study
- equipment and other support services that we offer
- examination arrangements
- how to contact us for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Study guides and other printed material; audio CDs; a DVD, website.
You will need
A DVD player and an audio CD player, or a computer that can play both audio CDs and DVDs.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
- If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
- If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
Materials to buy
Set books
- Ruthven, M Islam: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press £7.99 - ISBN 9780199642878
- Solomon, N Judaism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press £7.99 - ISBN 9780192853905
- Nesbitt, E Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press £7.99 - ISBN 9780192806017
- Knott, K Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press £7.99 - ISBN 9780192853875
- Keown, D Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press £7.99 - ISBN 9780199663835 (New edition published Feb 13)
- Woodhead, L Christianity: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press £7.99 - ISBN 9780192803221
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Student Reviews
“A217 has been my most enjoyable module so far with the OU. With so many religions to cover, it does ...”
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“A thoroughly enjoyable course that is effectively a whistle-stop tour of the major religious traditions. It's important to be able ...”
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Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
Undergraduate
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | A217 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 7 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
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