Bath Spa University School of Humanities and Cultural Industries 40 / 41 Religion, Philosophy and Ethics BA (Hons) Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (Specialised Award)* BA/BSc (Hons) Philosophy and Ethics (Combined Award) BA/BSc (Hons) Study of Religions (Combined Award)This course is designed to explore responses to ultimate questions and crucial issues facing humanity, drawing upon the disciplines of Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics. The approach taken is global, contemporary and applied. Religion, Philosophy and Ethics is offered as a single honours specialised award, or you may study either the Philosophy and Ethics route or the Study of Religions route within the programme as part of a Combined Degree take either the introduction to study of religions or the introduction to philosophy and ethics. There is also an optional module in Global religions and philosophies, looking at major traditions and movements, and key thinkers. The core module in the second year focuses on philosophy in Indian and Chinese traditions. Optional modules include ethics within religious and humanist traditions (on topics such as medical ethics, and social justice); philosophy, religions and the environment; in depth study of major religious traditions including Global Christianity, Life and Liberation in the Hindu tradition, Saints and Soldiers in Sikhism, and the history and teachings of Buddhism.There is also a Special Project in which you can explore topics of your choice, engage in a placement or project relevant to employment, or take part in a summer school in another country such as Korea. In the third year, Single Honours students and those on the Combined Degree with a Study of Religions focus undertake a fieldwork placement with a religious community such as a Buddhist monastery, a Christian convent, the Hare Krishnas or the Salvation Army. Other options include a philosophical module on the meaning of human existence, encompassing such topics as absurdity and purpose, identity and mortality; a module on religion, philosophy and gender; advanced study of pagan, new and alternative religions; and modules studying the Bhagavad Gita, the Muslim world, culture and counter-culture, religion and education internationally, Buddhism, and religion, culture and society in Japan. There is also a special Research Project which could focus on Applied Ethics, a Dissertation which allows for in-depth concentration on a topic of your choice, or an employment related project. Assessment is mainly by coursework such as essays, reports, projects, presentations, on-line discussion board participation, or even the production of a short film, and there are also some timed elements such as critical analyses or examinations. Careers A popular career for our students is teaching Religious Education and/or Citizenship in secondary or primary schools, where there is a shortage of specialists. The combination of studying religions and philosophy is particularly good preparation for this, and one module is specially designed as preparation for a career in education. Others have gone on to further academic study and university teaching. It is increasingly important for people in a wide range of careers to be able to mix with people from different religious and cultural backgrounds, for example past students have had careers in the police, hospital administration, social work, and journalism. Study of Religions comes in useful when working overseas whether in tourism or other businesses. Philosophy and Ethics develops many skills valued by employers such as clarity and precision in thinking, the ability to recognise unnoticed assumptions, the expertise to present a strong case, and to see the ethical issues involved in everyday decisions. Graduate careers for which Philosophy is good preparation include: law, civil service, local government, journalism, financial institutions, management, and IT.Student profileAlex Hyde, Year 2 Study of Religions-"I chose my course because I have always been interested in the world and in people. I am fascinated by the thoughts, needs, beliefs and knowledge of others who have been brought up outside of Christianity. I really like the structure of the course because the first year enables you to study in breadth and then in the second year focus more deeply on some of the religions studied in the first year. I was enthralled by the prospect of going on a placement for a week in a religious community as part of the course in second year. I am soon to find out whether I will be going to live with The Community of the Many Names of God or the Hare Krishnas. The Department has a friendly ethos, with lecturers who are genuinely willing their students to do well and continually supporting them along the way. It is with thanks to this course that my understanding of people in the world is ever expanding and even when the pressure is on with assignments due, I continue to brim with enthusiasm for the knowledge I gain." UCAS CodesReligion, Philosophy and Ethics*VV65Study of Religions Combined See page 63Philosophy and Ethics CombinedSee page 63Popular CombinationsHistory, English, Creative Writing, Sociology, Psychology, EducationFor a full list of courses you can combine with either Study of Religion or Philosophy and Ethics, see page 63. Entry CriteriaTypical offers240-280 UCAS Tariff points (eg BCC; BB+ AS a). See page 20Course InformationCourse locationNewton Park campusCourse length3 years full-time; part-time availableNo. of applicants (2010) 313No. of places (2010)Variable number (part of Combined Award)More informationwww.bathspa.ac.uk/ugrad/National Student Survey Score (2010)89% satisfaction with teaching* Single Honours course subject to approval01degree in combination with other subjects - popular combinations include History, English, Creative Writing, Sociology, Psychology, and Education.Why choose this course?The religious traditions studied are diverse, including major traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam or Christianity, and the less well known such as newer religious movements. Included in the programme are contemporary developments such as Paganism and Goddess spirituality. We range from the local, such as religions in Bath and Glastonbury, to the global, such as Japanese Religions. Crucial to the study of religions is direct encounter and experiential learning, and the course includes visits and a one-week placement in a religious community. Philosophies studied include South and East Asian philosophies as well as Western approaches. Gender and sexuality are important issues in both religion and philosophy. Within ethics the emphasis is on applied ethics, addressing contemporary concerns such as environmental ethics, war and conflict and medical ethics. Ethical issues are explored from both religious and secular/humanist perspectives. There are opportunities to follow up your own interests or career plans in a variety of special projects, employment related placements and a dissertation. We offer excellent teaching with attention to individuals, and staff are active in research and scholarship in their specialist areas. We welcome non-traditional entrants and mature students. About the courseIn year one, we offer two core modules. One introduces philosophical and ethical enquiry, providing you with the tools of philosophical and ethical analysis, and critically examining core concepts in epistemology, metaphysics and ethics. The other explores the meaning of religion and spirituality, examines a variety of methods of studying religions and spiritualities, and illustrates these from a variety of contemporary traditions, from Druidry to the Bahá'í faith. There is also a field visit to Glastonbury. Single Honours students take both of these core courses; those on the Combined 030201 The Buddha Amida, near Kamakura, Japan02 Discussing course work03 Alex at Bristol Hindu Temple

Bath Spa University School of Music and Performing Arts www.bathspa.ac.ukSchool of Music and Performing Arts Joe Bennett, Head of School"The School is a vibrant and creative community of students and staff - over 1000 musicians, actors, dancers, composers, choreographers, writers, producers and technicians. Performance is at the heart of what we do, and our Bath Spa Live programme combines visits by internationally-renowned musicians, theatre and dance companies with frequent student performances, both on campus and in professional venues."