SCHOOL OF ARTS, LANGUAGES AND CULTURES UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES 2016

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1 SCHOOL OF ARTS, LANGUAGES AND CULTURES UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES 2016 AMERICAN STUDIES / ANCIENT HISTORY / ARABIC AND MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES / ARCHAEOLOGY / ART HISTORY AND VISUAL STUDIES / CHINESE / CLASSICS / DRAMA / ENGLISH LITERATURE (SINGLE HONS) AND ENGLISH LITERATURE WITH CREATIVE WRITING / FRENCH / GERMAN / HISTORY AND SOCIOLOGY / HISTORY AND A MODERN LANGUAGE / HISTORY / INTERNATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE / ITALIAN / JAPANESE / LINGUISTICS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE / MODERN HISTORY WITH ECONOMICS / MUSIC / POLITICS AND MODERN HISTORY / RELIGIONS AND THEOLOGY / RUSSIAN / SPANISH, PORTUGUESE AND LATIN AMERICAN

2 THE FACTS Committed to a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, with no ties to religious institutions. 4 million books in one of the UK s best university libraries. The University owns the oldest manuscript fragment of a New Testament book. Many religious studies-related archives Award-winning careers service. Guaranteed accommodation for all first-years. The UK s largest students union. The results of REF 2014 confirmed the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures to be one of the country s leading centres of arts and humanities research. 80% or our research activity was judged to be world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*). We are ranked in the top ten universities in the UK for Religions and Theology (Guardian University Guide 2016). CONTENTS OUR UNIVERSITY 2 RELIGIONS AND THEOLOGY AT MANCHESTER 4 COURSE DETAILS 8 SCHOOL OF ARTS, LANGUAGES AND CULTURES 14 FIND OUT MORE ONLINE 16 FLEXIBLE HONOURS 17 CONTACT DETAILS 18 UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

3 INTRODUCING MANCHESTER Our University Making things happen Our city Always moving forward Your experience More than just a degree Your future On a course to success Influential, forward-thinking and down-to-earth, we ll give you an unforgettable university experience rooted in rich academic heritage. We turn enthusiasm into achievement, and ground-breaking theory into innovative practice. We accomplish feats of global significance, from splitting the atom, to giving the world graphene the two-dimensional wonder material that is one atom thick, but 200 times stronger than steel. With more Nobel laureates on our staff than any other UK university, and strong links to industry and public services, we elevate our undergraduate courses with pioneering research. Manchester thrives on innovation and creativity, always a step ahead in science, industry, media, sport and the arts. The Mancunian character exemplified by the city s central role in the Industrial Revolution stands for excellence and originality in all walks of life. All corners of the world meet in Manchester. It is a cosmopolitan magnet for students and professionals who are eager to experience our can-do attitude, independent spirit and cultural wealth. Never content to live on past glories, Manchester has a passion for progress. Join us at the heart of Britain s most popular student city. Discover what makes Manchester unique: Whether you prefer to work in the ultra-modern surroundings of the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, or if you get your inspiration from the neo-gothic grandeur of the John Rylands Library, we ve got it covered with our impressive range of flexible study environments and support services for a truly personal learning experience. And that s not all. Outstanding sport facilities, over 450 student societies, supported community volunteering, study abroad pathways, career development programmes and mentoring are all ways in which we support you to grow and develop outside the lecture hall. Make the most of what we have to offer and you ll enjoy a well-rounded university experience that prepares you for life after graduation. Hear from some of our students: We are one of the UK s most targeted universities by employers, thanks to courses and careers services designed with your employability in mind. Our problem-based approach to learning inspires you to think critically, creatively and independently. Taking part in activities to enhance your academic record, such as volunteering, personal development and interdisciplinary learning can give you a broad perspective and a competitive edge, shaping you into a socially responsible leader of tomorrow. Our award-winning careers service provides a wealth of tools, advice and development opportunities, and connects you with employers to put you a step ahead on the path to success. Take control of your career: Learn more about us: 2 3

4 RELIGIONS AND THEOLOGY AT MANCHESTER Studying abroad in South Korea There are two key reasons for you to come to Manchester. First, we are ranked in the top ten universities in this country for studying religions and theology (Guardian University Guide 2016). Second, we offer you a wide and varied range of courses to choose from. Official rankings of quality Every few years, all disciplines in each university in the country are assessed for the level and impact of their research. We have a top research team here, including many who are known internationally for their work and many who have written key text books in this area. The recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) confirmed the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures to be one of the country s leading centres of arts and humanities research. 80% or our research activity was judged to be world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*). In 2001, every religions and theology department in each university in the country was assessed for the quality of its teaching. Religions and Theology at Manchester achieved the maximum mark (24). We were one of only three departments across the UK to achieve the top mark. Only Manchester achieved top grades for both research and teaching. Unrivalled variety of courses We offer an impressive variety of courses one of the widest ranges on offer at any British university. You can take units in ancient Hebrew, Greek, or Sanskrit, learn about Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Islamic traditions, pursue an interest in the Bible or Christian theology, or discover the different approaches to religion offered by sociology, anthropology and philosophy. These are all supported by the resources of The University of Manchester Library, one of the best academic libraries in the country. Welcoming community A final reason for choosing Religions and Theology at Manchester is the friendly atmosphere and great relationship between staff and students. Come for a visit and see for yourself. Find out more: Manchester offers you Impressive range and variety of course units to choose from, including many interdisciplinary options Challenging blend of traditional and innovative learning methods, with the opportunity to carry out research among Manchester s various faith communities Excellent international reputation for research in religions and theology which informs all our courses World-class library collection of electronic resources, books, journals, manuscripts and archives in religions and theology Study abroad Students may apply to spend one semester studying abroad during the second year of their degree. Exchange partners are offered through the Erasmus Exchange scheme (in Europe) and the Worldwide Exchange scheme (e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore). For more information about the Study Abroad Programme please visit: expanding-study/study-abroad 4 5

5 RELIGIONS AND THEOLOGY AT MANCHESTER Student views The huge variety of courses offered is amazing the fact that I can study Indian Storytelling whilst someone else is learning about the Dead Sea Scrolls, all within the same degree, that s why the programme is so good. It challenges how we understand religion in all cultures and societies. It s the lecturers and their accessibility that make studying Religions and Theology so interesting as well. Having staff who are genuinely interested in your work has been the greatest thing. Alexander Webb, third-year student The best thing about the Religions and Theology department at Manchester is the freedom to choose whichever modules interest me. I really enjoy the wide range of course units available. There is lots of applied theology with a real relevance to contemporary life. I would definitely recommend it. Samantha Hallett, second-year student Comparative Religion and Social Anthropology is a degree that can challenge the very things in our lives we take for granted and provides a fresh insight into the study of religion. Anthropology itself helps us critically analyse any aspect of our culture and when its theories are applied to organised religions we come to see them in a totally different light. Stephen Skeates, third-year student Study resources and facilities The University of Manchester Library is one of only five National Research Libraries and boasts a fabulous collection of books and archives in the areas of religion and theology. It offers a wide range of printed books and periodicals, a comprehensive collection of textbooks and scholarly publications, and important manuscript collections. The Library also offers comprehensive access to specialised online and electronic resources and databases. PCs for student use are found in clusters all around campus, in halls of residence and around the lecture rooms. Personal support You ll have a dedicated academic adviser, who will work with you throughout your studies, helping you to make the most of your learning experience and our unique course offer. You ll also have a student mentor, usually from the year above you, who can offer advice and support with regard to the student experience more generally. The University has an excellent student support service and advisory centre, and your academic adviser can put you in touch with them. In addition, the student body elects its own representatives to sit on the main committees - raising matters that concern students and allowing them to put forth their views. Our informal learning environment means that noone is afraid to ask questions allowing you to make the most of this collaborative learning environment. This makes for a flourishing community, an academic culture that is committed to developing your intellectual potential, interests and curiosities. Skills development By the end of your studies, you will have acquired valuable transferable skills designed to equip you to succeed in a variety of contexts. 1. You will become familiar with a variety of religious traditions and theological perspectives. 2. With your study of methodological issues and your theoretically informed reading and analysis of a wide variety of texts, you will significantly enhance your alertness to the workings of power, authority, argument and ideology (both in religious and nonreligious guises). 3. You will acquire a wide-ranging understanding of contemporary and past religious, social and cultural developments, and an awareness of how issues of politics, scholarly methodology and religious interpretation tend to intersect, especially in the field of religious studies. 4. By reading examples of some of the most influential and aesthetically powerful documents ever written, as well as offering presentations and writing many pieces of your own, you will acquire excellent communication skills (both written and oral). Career prospects Your job prospects are obviously crucial in your decision about which degree to take and we are very keen to enhance our students employability. Our courses are carefully designed to help you maximise development of key study skills and transferable skills by the end of your studies. These skills range from those associated with information technology and presentation (both oral and written), to those associated with research and communication. 95% of Religions and Theology graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation (source:unistats). A degree in Religions and Theology will equip you with the vision, confidence and skills to engage fully with a multicultural society. You will be well placed for a wide range of professional positions that require religious and cultural sensitivity. Recent graduates are now in exciting and fulfilling careers, such as teachers, social workers, media personnel, employees of religious organisations and NGOs. 6 7

6 COURSE DETAILS Religions and Theology BA 3yrs UCAS Code V600 Theological Studies in Philosophy and Ethics BA 3yrs UCAS Code V610 Comparative Religion and Social Anthropology BA 3yrs UCAS Code VL66 Typical offer A-level: ABB-BBB depending on course chosen IB: depending on course chosen For full entry requirements search our course listings: For a detailed guide to course units, please see: Please note that course units are reviewed on an annual basis and as such may vary slightly to those advertised. Please visit the course listing for up-todate information. BA (Hons) Religions and Theology Our BA degree in Religions and Theology is very carefully titled. It focuses on the facts and challenges of diversity and pluralism in many different religions, at the same time taking seriously the profound questions of ancient, medieval, modern and postmodern debates on theological matters in all those religions. This makes our degree unique in the UK, as it combines a very wide range of religious areas from religion in the postmodern city to ancient Buddhism and Zoroastrianism with a great variety of approaches. We are interested in the widest interpretation of religion at a time when the world is taking religious difference very seriously. We make the strange familiar, and the familiar strange. We have scholars of international standing who are linguists; anthropologists; theologians of several religions, literatures and mysticism; philosophers; historians; and critical theorists. Your range of choices is therefore very wide, with course units taught by experts in their fields. You will find that you are hearing ideas that come straight out of your lecturers research, some of which may not yet have been published, or which are hot off the press. Our introductory core course unit in the first year introduces you to the fundamentals for many of the areas of our expertise, including the various theories and methods currently being used in the subject area (eg literary, historical, social, scientific and feminist approaches). Approaches and themes Many of our students find that they are interested in certain approaches to the study of religion, or in specific religious or theological themes. While you can choose whichever course units interest you most, it is worth saying something about those areas of study that are particularly well represented here. The implications of religion for an understanding of society (and vice versa) You could draw upon the interdisciplinary approaches of sociology, anthropology and politics. You might explore a very wide range of different religious traditions and approaches to the study of religion, or spend a lot of time on a single system, or a particular kind of religious phenomenon. Relevant course units might include: Myth and Modernity Introduction to Muslim Societies Religion, Culture and Gender Women and Gender in the Middle East and North Africa Storytelling in Indian Traditions From Religion to Politics Radical Theologies The Arab World and the West The religions of South Asia This territory includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, home to about a quarter of the world s population that s close to 1.5 billion people. There are also significant South Asian migrant populations across the globe, including, of course, in Britain. The cultures and religious traditions of this region, and their impact on social, economic and political life, are therefore issues with truly global implications. You might want to explore popular practice and scholarly texts, the politics of religious nationalism and colonialism and the goals of religious asceticism. You might like to examine Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Islamic traditions in South Asia, and the interactions that have taken place between these traditions. Relevant course units might include: Religion in Modern South Asian History The World of Buddhism Arabic and Islamic Philosophy Introduction to Urdu Language and Culture Texts, Ritual and Practices in Mahayana Buddhism Religion and Conflict in Late Colonial India Sanskrit Women and Men in Indian Traditions The Ethics of Killing in Buddhism: Texts and Contexts South Asian Diasporas 8 9

7 COURSE DETAILS Biblical studies This could involve not only the study of the texts of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, and the contexts from which they emerged, but also other related texts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls. It s an exciting opportunity to study some of the most influential traditions in the history of civilization, in an entirely open way. The Bible is one of the most widely read books or collection of books ever written. It has inspired numerous works of art and literature, music and drama. It has had a profound effect on history and culture, ethics and legal systems. It has motivated countless people in a variety of ways, not least because it contains the sacred texts of two of the world s major religions, Judaism and Christianity. If you d like to learn both biblical languages, we allow the first-year course unit in either Greek or Hebrew to be taken in the second year; this policy permits you to study both languages without the burden of taking both the first-year units simultaneously. Relevant course units might include: Greek Hebrew Dead Sea Scrolls Gnosticism in Antiquity The Bible in Ancient and Modern Worlds Jesus and the Gospels Theology and Ethics of Paul Hebrew Texts Greek Texts Jewish studies This would involve study of Jewish religion, history and culture, and the central issues affecting contemporary Jews. You might learn about the experiences of the Jewish people, and about the interactions between its traditions and those of their neighbours. Relevant course units might include: Introduction to Judaism Jews in Europe The History of Jewish-Christian Relations Hebrew (biblical, modern) Jewish philosophy Holocaust Theology Biblical Hebrew Texts Course structure Year 1 Core course module, which is designed to introduce you to key thinkers in a wide range of religious traditions (eg Augustine, Luther, Maimonides, Gandhi), to familiarise you with the variety of approaches to the study of religions and theology, and to provide you with an overview of the history of the discipline Five free choice course units that will tend to be introductory in nature and quite broad in scope Year 2 Six free choices, which will be slightly more focused in their topics and will draw together different themes and approaches in innovative ways Year 3 Four free choice course units that are very specialised A dissertation, a substantial piece of independent research, produced under the supervision of one of your lecturers We teach in large and small groups, but always interactively. You have the full range of all the course units to choose from. You can pick and mix as you see fit to create a unique degree programme that suits your own needs and interests

8 COURSE DETAILS BA (Hons) Theological Studies in Philosophy and Ethics This three-year course focuses on theology as it impacts on philosophy and ethics. You will study continental philosophy and Christian theology, and you will also have a chance to consider their relation to Indian, Jewish and Islamic philosophies. The course is designed to map on to the kind of topics that many students first meet in their Religious Studies A-level, where philosophy and ethics are often emphasised, and to take these interests further and into new areas. The course is more interdisciplinary than is offered elsewhere, and allows you to explore the interactions between theology, philosophy and ethics. While others offer an ethics supplement to theology and philosophy, unique to Manchester is the way ethics is related more generally to social ethics and politics. Among other things, you will explore theological perspectives on the place of religions in today s society and the philosophical and ethical issues that are raised thereby, consider questions that relate to suffering and evil, investigate the complicated relationship between scientific and religious world views, and evaluate philosophies and theologies in Western religious traditions. Your choices are not restricted to those units that relate directly to theology, philosophy, or ethics; each year you will be given the opportunity to explore other topics too. Course content A sample of relevant course units might include: Key Thinkers in the History of Western Philosophy Introduction to Christian Theology Arabic and Islamic Philosophy Theories of a Good Life: Introduction to Ethics Problems in the Philosophy of Religion: Evil Indian Philosophy From Religion To Politics Holocaust Theology Radical Theologies Theology and Ethics of Paul Jewish Philosophy Believing in the City Christian Theology 2 Course structure Year 1 You will take Theological Studies in Philosophy and Ethics, and also Theories of a Good Life; these give you a grounding and orientation. Additionally, you will choose four further course units. Year 2 You will take Key Thinkers in the History of Philosophy, and also Evil; these develop your critical skills and understanding. Additionally, you will choose four further course units. Year 3 You will write a dissertation that takes forward your interests in theological studies in philosophy and ethics, with the guidance of a member of the teaching staff. You will also choose four further course units. BA (Hons) Comparative Religion and Social Anthropology (Joint Honours) This course possesses a strongly interdisciplinary flavour. Although the disciplines of comparative religion and social anthropology indisputably differ from one another in a variety of ways, scholars and students in each area recognise the existence of an interface between the two. Increasingly, for instance, scholars of religion use anthropological concepts and tools to formulate and approach questions pertaining to religious phenomena, while religious ritual and magico-religious practices have long been standard topics in the research of anthropologists. Our course allows you to work both in those areas where the two disciplines fruitfully come together (eg Anthropology of Religion) and in those where their interaction is less direct (eg the Politics of Contemporary Global Issues). Through the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology, you will also have opportunities to study ethnographic film and video. Course structure Year 1 You will take: Core course unit in Religions and Theology Two other course units from a set of options in Religion (eg Introduction to Muslim Studies; World of Buddhism) Three units in Social Anthropology You will be introduced to the challenge of understanding human diversity alongside an evaluation of some of the developments such as cultural imperialism, which might seem to challenge potential diversity. approaches to understanding culture, especially in relation to questions of power and inequality, including topics such as nationalism, refugees and gender. You will also have the opportunity to study different regions of the world in some depth, such as Africa, Central Asia, India, Japan and Papua New Guinea. Year 2 You will take: Core course unit in Social Anthropology You will choose five further course units, of which: Three units are in Religion, chosen from a list (including, among others, Women and Gender in the Middle East and North Africa; Mahayana Buddhism; Story-Telling in Indian Traditions) Two units from Social Anthropology (such as Kinship and Social Life; Political and Social Anthropology) You will explore a wide range of different religious beliefs and practices, as well as questions about how these should be understood. You will consider various ways of organising and governing societies and their economic relations, and think about how to understand exchange and human motivation, inequalities and some of the changes included under the label of globalisation. Year 3 This year consists of: A dissertation that relates to both religion and anthropology under the supervision of a member of the teaching staff from each discipline Four additional course units, to be split equally between the wide range of options available at level three in Religion (eg South Asian Diasporas) and Anthropology (eg Exhibiting Cultures, Medical Anthropology) You will look at some of the key concepts and 12 13

9 SCHOOL OF ARTS, LANGUAGES AND CULTURES Welcome to the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures. With around 5,500 undergraduate students, 1,000 postgraduate students and 350 academic staff, we are the largest grouping of arts, languages and humanities scholars and students in the UK. Although we are a big School, we have a common set of interests in the fields of human cultures, languages, beliefs and institutions. Put simply, we are interested in meaning. How do human societies make meaning and what kinds of meaning do they make? These are the questions that interest us, and in order to answer them our work explores the material, visual, linguistic, textual, social and performative dimensions of human society past and present. We teach and research in all of the following areas: American Studies Archaeology Art History and Visual Studies Chinese Studies Classics and Ancient History Drama English Literature and Creative Writing French Studies German Studies History International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response Italian Studies Japanese Studies Linguistics and English Language Middle Eastern Studies Music Religions and Theology Russian and East European Studies Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies Translation and Intercultural Studies The School is also home to the University Language Centre, the Centre for New Writing, The Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, The Institute for Cultural Practices and The John Rylands Research Institute. Our degree programmes are designed to teach people how to think for themselves, and our students tell us they find them challenging and rewarding. Our programmes also provide a good preparation for careers or further study. We integrate work-related skills and experience into our degree programmes, and we encourage our students to think about and develop their career interests, aims and abilities, through both academic and extra-curricular activities. Our award winning Careers Service will work with you throughout your degree to improve your employability and prepare you for the competitive jobs market. At Manchester you will belong to a specific subject community but will also have the extensive choice that a large and diverse School can offer. We use a wide range of teaching methods, both traditional and innovative. These include lectures, small-group seminars, and tutorials as well as various on-line activities which draw on the latest technology. Our size allows us to foster a rich intellectual culture led by world-renowned scholars with a diversity of expertise, from analysts to creative artists, from formal linguists to cultural critics, from historians to cultural theorists. Our commitment to research enriches our teaching, by ensuring that our curriculum is continually refreshed. The results of REF 2014 confirmed the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures to be one of the country s leading centres of arts and humanities research. 80% or our research activity was judged to be world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*). 6 of the 9 subject areas had over 70% of their research outputs rated at world leading or internationally excellent. Teaching and research in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures are supported by rich resources within the University. These include the John Rylands University Library, with its unique Special Collections; the University Language Centre, with its own language multi-media resource library; the Race Relations Archive; the Manchester Museum; the Whitworth Art Gallery, as well as other distinguished Manchester archives and museums. Other cultural assets at the University of Manchester include the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama, Jodrell Bank Observatory, and, new for 2012, the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons. The University and the city also offer superb facilities for almost any academic or recreational interests you might wish to pursue. High profile festivals are a major part of Manchester s cultural life, and the School is involved in many of these, including the Manchester Literature Festival, Manchester Histories Festival and Manchester International Festival. Conclusion We want the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures to become a global beacon for the study of Arts and Languages. Our objective is to create a top quality educational environment within which all our students will thrive. Through our research we seek to create and develop knowledge that makes a positive difference in the world; through our teaching we want to inspire our students to achieve their full human potential. We have a strong commitment to social responsibility and public engagement. We not only want our graduates to be highly sought after by employers but we also want them to play a constructive role as citizens in wider society

10 FIND OUT MORE ONLINE Flexible Honours Why not study a subsidiary subject alongside your principal subject? At the time of going to press, it is envisaged that, from 2015, all Single Honours students in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures will have the opportunity to take up to 40 credits per year as a Minor subject. Visit to find out more. ACCOMMODATION Discover your new home: ADMISSIONS AND APPLICATIONS Everything you need to apply: ALAN GILBERT LEARNING COMMONS Our hi-tech 24/7 independent learning space: CAREERS Take control of your career: CHILDCARE Balancing learning and caring: DISABILITY SUPPORT Talk to us about any support you need: FUNDING AND FINANCE Fees, loans, scholarships and more: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Prepare for life at Manchester, UK: IT SERVICES Online learning, computer access, IT support: LIBRARY One of the UK s largest and best-resourced: MAPS Campus, city and accommodation: PROSPECTUS Download or order a copy: SPORT Get active with clubs, classes, leagues and facilities: SUPPORT Help with academic, personal, financial and administrative issues: my.manchester.ac.uk/guest STUDENTS UNION The UK s largest student hub: manchesterstudentsunion.com VIDEOS Our University on YouTube:

11 CONTACT DETAILS For further information about the courses, or about qualifications, please contact: The Admissions Co-ordinator The Admissions Office School of Arts, Languages and Cultures Room A20, Samuel Alexander Building The University of Manchester Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PT United Kingdom Please go to: undergraduate/courses/2016 and search for your course; current contact details are given in the course Fact File. Disclaimer This brochure is prepared well in advance of the academic year to which it relates. Consequently, details of courses may vary with staff changes. The University therefore reserves the right to make such alterations to courses as are found to be necessary. If the University makes an offer of a place, it is essential that you are aware of the current terms on which the offer is based. If you are in any doubt, please feel free to ask for confirmation of the precise position for the year in question, before you accept the offer. Royal Charter Number RC DW