BA Theology and Religious Studies - St Mary's University ... · 1 PART 1 – BA THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION 1 Awarding institution St Mary’s University,

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PART 1 – BA THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION 1 Awarding

institution St Mary’s University, Twickenham

2 Partner institution and location of teaching (if applicable)

N/A

3 Type of collaborative arrangement (if applicable)

N/A

4 Award title

BA (Hons) Theology and Religious Studies

5 Final award

BA (Hons)

6 Interim award(s) with award titles (if specific titles have been designated)

Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)

7 School with responsibility for the programme

Education, Theology and Leadership

8 Language of study

English Introduction to Biblical Hebrew and Introduction to New Testament Greek are Level 4 modules that can be taken by students for credit at any time in their programme. They are one year modules designed to give a foundation in the languages for those particularly interested in biblical studies.

9 Joint Honours combinations

BA/BSc Theology & Religious Studies may be taken as a Single or Combined Honours programme of study. Within a Single Honours degree, students can, if they wish, choose to specialise in Biblical Studies, Christian Theology or Religious Studies. When combined with another programme, it is available in the following combinations: • Theology & Religious Studies with another subject (majoring in Theology and

Religious Studies); • Theology & Religious Studies and another subject (equalling in Theology and

Religious Studies); • Another Subject with Theology & Religious Studies (minoring in Theology

and Religious Studies). 10 UCAS code V600

11 JACS code N290, V520, V600, V610, V620, V621, V622, V623, V624, V625, V627, V640,

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V641, V650 12 Professional,

Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditation / recognition

N/A

13 QAA subject benchmark or other relevant external reference point

The programme follows the guidelines of the QAA Honours Degree Benchmark Statement for Theology and Religious Studies.

14 Normal completion time and maximum duration of study

Normal completion time: Full-time study – three years The standard duration of study is three academic years full time. However, the overall duration of study at each level of the programme, from initial registration to completion, shall not exceed four consecutive semesters for a Level 4 programme, five consecutive semesters for a Level 5 programme and five consecutive semesters for a Level 6 programme. Therefore, the overall duration shall not exceed fourteen consecutive semesters. A full-time BA undergraduate student will normally register for 120 credits worth of modules in an academic year. Exceptionally, where a student is trailing credit from previous levels, or by approval of the Registrar on the advice of the Programme Director, they may register for a maximum of 140 credits at Levels 4, 5 and 6 in any one academic year. A full-time undergraduate student must register for no less than 40 credits and no more than 100 credits per semester.

15 Mode of study Students may attend the programme on a full-time basis. 16 Mode of delivery Face to face

17 Date approved

and name of authorised body

12.07.2017, STLQEC (Chair’s Action)

18 Applies to students commencing study in (month/year)

September 2017

PART 2 – CURRICULUM SPECIFIC DETAILS 19 Summary of the

programme St Mary’s BA Theology and Religious Studies is a unique offering, combining pathways in Christian Theology with Biblical Studies and Religious Studies, in a setting founded on and nourished by a vibrant religious identity. This BA provides its students with a high level of religious literacy (which is increasingly

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vital in today’s diverse society), and a critical familiarity with the intellectual history of the Christian tradition (which is crucial for understanding the development of Western culture and society). The degree furnishes students with proficiency in transferable critical skills like textual interpretation, forming convincing arguments, and intelligent writing and reflection. The degree seeks to capitalise on the increasing importance of fluency in religious issues for employability in various sectors. Its structure aims for maximum flexibility, enabling students of diverse settings and commitments to tailor course content to their academic interests. As a degree programme closely linked to the central Catholic ethos of St Mary’s, this BA excels in its pastoral concern for its students, who are encouraged by a strong sense of community belonging.

20 Aims of the programme

Primary Aims and Outcomes of the Programme Main Educational Aims of the Programme In line with the University Mission and the QAA Benchmark Statement, the primary aims are: • to provide an open and challenging framework in which students of different

backgrounds can develop their academic, creative and professional potential;

• to provide students with the cognitive and practical transferable skills to understand and critically question the ideas by means of which we understand the world and ourselves (i.e to do Theology);

• to develop students’ understanding and knowledge of Theology as practised in a variety of traditions and eras;

• to prepare students for a wide variety of careers that demand creative, analytical and flexible thinking;

• to acknowledge the open-ended nature of theological inquiry and its relation to other disciplines.

Programme Outcomes On successful completion of the programme, and in the wider context of their combined programme of study, students will have achieved the following outcomes: • Students will have acquired knowledge of the history of Theology, its main

thinkers and ideas, as well as its creative contribution to the world. • Students will have developed their analytical as well as creative skills, i.e.

skills to analyse problems as well as consider creative solutions. • Students will have developed their written and oral presentation skills. • Students will have undertaken an independent study in a topic of their own

choosing. • Students will have developed an understanding of the wide variety in

practices of Theology, both through learning about these and by participating

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in them.

21 Criteria for admission

Programme entrance requirements • Applicants to the programme must satisfy the General Entrance Requirement

of St Mary’s University as set out in the prospectus each year. Each candidate must meet the general admissions requirements of St. Mary’s (i.e a minimum of 260 UCAS points of which 180 must include a B and a C grade at A level. Remaining points can be made up of A level or AS level grades including General Studies.

• The programme will also accept alternative qualifications and actively encourage those students to apply, bearing in mind the recommendations to serving the community as set out in the University’s Mission statement. At the same time it is acknowledged that the study of Theology and Religious Studies to degree level is demanding and requires certain basic abilities and interests.

• Students whose first language is not English must have achieved an overall score of 6.0 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with no less than 5.5 in any section.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Accreditation of Prior Learning • Students who have undertaken study or learning elsewhere may apply for

exemption from a proportion of a University programme of study and be given entry with advanced standing (e.g. at a point beyond the beginning of FHEQ Level 4) and exemption from parts of their programme. The learning which may merit advanced standing is as follows:

o Relevant credits, i.e. credits at an appropriate level and in an

appropriate subject, earned in another institution or in other institutions;

o Relevant certificated prior learning. • The relevance, status and currency of the prior learning will be considered by

the Registrar on the advice of the Programme Director. The University will accept applications for accreditation of prior experiential or uncertificated learning for entry as determined by the Programme Director on the advice of the Registrar. The University will accept applications for the accreditation of prior uncertificated learning for particular modules as outlined in the regulations for programmes of study.

22 Scheduled learning time (the number of guided learning hours (GLH) is 10 hours per 1 credit http://www.qaa.ac

Type of learning time

Number of hours

Expressed as %

Contact time 720 20% Placement/work-based learning hours

0 0%

Guided learning hours

0 0%

5

.uk/en/Publications/Documents/contact-hours-student.pdf)

Independent study time

2880 80%

TOTAL* 100%

23 Programme learning outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes The main learning outcomes of the Theology and Religious Studies programme are grouped according to four categories: A. In terms of knowledge and understanding students should

1. Understand the richness of Christianity in its varied and central forms. 2. Be able to discuss diverse expressions of particular religions such as the

textual, intellectual, ethical, ritual or aesthetic. 3. Understand the classical sources and traditions of interpretation within

religions. 4. Appreciate a range of primary and secondary sources including materials

from different disciplines. 5. Be aware of the ambiguity and limited nature of human knowing. 6. Understand the major issues in current research and scholarship in Theology

and Religious Studies.

B. In terms of discipline specific and intellectual skills students should be able to

1. Present their own and other people’s views fairly in a spirit of critical openness.

2. Discuss the nature and implications of the power of religious faith and the implications of the claims to truth that arise in religion traditions.

3. Analyse the complex relationships between religion and its social and cultural context.

4. Use a variety of methods of study such as hermeneutical, historical, phenomenological, philosophical, systematic.

5. Assess the religious contribution to debates about, for example, values, identity, peace and justice.

6. Discuss the relationships between religion and personal and communal identities and motivations.

7. Apply ideas and skills in a new context.

C. In terms of generic (transferable) skills students should be able to

1. Identify, and read carefully and critically, a wide range of source material. 2. Use libraries effectively and web-based resources with discrimination. 3. Attend to, reproduce accurately, reflect on and interact with the ideas and

arguments of others and discuss these. 4. Show critical self-awareness about their own beliefs and values. 5. Use IT effectively and make confident oral presentations. 6. Effectively communicate information, ideas, arguments and theories in oral

and written forms.

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7. Work effectively as a member of a group

In addition, those students completing a 10,000 word dissertation should be able to:

8. Undertake a piece of sustained research and writing, and choose and justify

appropriate methods for research.

In terms of widening horizons, students should be able to: 1. Appreciate the open-endedness of knowledge and the encounter of TRS with

other disciplines, and the mutual links between these disciplines. 2. Apply theological skills to issues arising outside of the academy in an

appropriate way. 3. Show sensitivity to the nobility of the quest for wisdom and truth as seen in

different periods of history and in different cultures.

24 Programme structure and module requirements

BA Single Honours Programme: Theology and Religious Studies FHEQ Level 4 Single honours students must acquire 60 credits from the three core modules at Level 4, and a minimum of 40 credits from a combination of the optional modules listed below. The other 20 credits required at Level 4 can be gained either from the optional modules listed below or a module from another programme. They are strongly advised, where timetabling allows, to do the Philosophy modules PHL4014 Key Texts in Antiquity, PHL4018 Being and Action: An Introduction to Philosophical Anthropology and Ethics, and the TRS modules TRS4006 Key Modern Theologians and TRS4002 Religion, Community and Culture.

Code Title No. of credits

Sem of delivery

Module status

TRS4000 Foundations in Biblical Interpretation

20 1 Core

TRS4010 Foundations in Christian Theology

20 2 Core

TRS4050 Foundations in Religious Studies

20 1 Core

TRS4002 Religion, Community and Culture

20 2 Option

TRS4004 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

20 1&2 Option

TRS4005 Introduction to New Testament Greek

20 1&2 Option

TRS4006 Key Modern Theologians 20 2 Option PHL4014 Key Texts in Antiquity 20 1 Option PHL4018 Being and Action: An

Introduction to Philosophical Anthropology and Ethics

20 1 Option

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FHEQ Level 5 Single honours students must acquire at least 80 credits in Theology and Religious Studies at Level 5. The remaining 40 credits can be gained either from TRS (i.e. the modules listed below), or from modules from other programmes. Students who wish to specialise in Biblical Studies must complete at least 60 credits in Biblical Studies at Level 5 and are advised to study (if they have not done so already at Level 4) a module in Biblical Hebrew or New Testament Greek. 20TRS5012 Synoptic Gospels 20TRS5013 Pauline Christianity 20TRS5014 Hermeneutics and the Old Testament 20TRS5043 Biblical Wisdom Literature 20TRS5044 Scripture in Contemporary Contexts Students who wish to specialise in Christian Theology must complete at least 60 credits in Christian Theology at Level 5. 20TRS5027 Grace, Sin and Salvation 20TRS5028 Christology 20TRS5029 Trinity 20TRS5040 Ecclesiology 20TRS5041 Eastern Christianity 20TRS5070 Truth, Theology and Religion in a Pluralistic World 20TRS5021 Mary and the Saints Students who wish to specialise in Religious Studies must complete at least 60 credits in Religious Studies at Level 5. 20TRS5000 Buddhism: Faith and Practice 20TRS5004 Islam: Faith and Practice 20TRS5005 Judaism: Faith and Practice 20TRS5042 Hinduism 20TRS5051 Atheism and Non-Religion 20TRS5070 Truth, Theology and Religion in a Pluralistic World 20PHL5017 20th Century Jewish Thought


Sem of delivery

Module status

TRS5000 Buddhism 20 2 Option TRS5003 Bioethics 20 1 Option TRS5004 Islam 20 2 Option TRS5005 Judaism: Faith and

Practice 20 1 Option

TRS5006 Jerusalem and the Galilee 20 2 Option TRS5007 Introduction to New

Testament Greek 20 1&2 Option

TRS5012 Synoptic Gospels 20 1 Option

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TRS5013 Pauline Christianity 20 1 Option TRS5014 Hermeneutics and the Old

Testament 20 1 Option

TRS5021 Mary and the Saints 20 1 Option TRS5023 Religion and Art 20 2 Option TRS5026 City-Based Fieldwork 20 2 Option TRS5027 Grace, Sin and Salvation 20 2 Option TRS5028 Christology 20 1 Option TRS5029 Trinity 20 2 Option TRS5040 Ecclesiology 20 1 Option TRS5041 Eastern Christianity 20 1 Option TRS5042 Hinduism 20 2 Option TRS5043 Biblical Wisdom Literature 20 2 Option TRS5044 Scripture in Contemporary

Contexts 20 1 Option

TRS5051 Atheism and Non-Religion 20 1 Option TRS5070 Truth, Theology and

Religion in a Pluralistic World

20 2 Option

TRS5088 Issues of Identity 20 2 Option PHL5005 Mind, Soul and

Psychology 20 2 Option

PHL5007 Moral Philosophy: Key Thinkers

20 1 Option

PHL5010 Philosophy in Schools and the Community

20 2 Option

PHL5012 Philosophy of Religion 20 2 Option PHL5013 Philosophy of Science and

Technology 20 2 Option

PHL5017 20th Century Jewish Thought

20 2 Option

WPL5010 Contributing to the Community

20 1 or 2 Option

WPL5031/40/51 Experience and Employment (in Education/Business/Sport)

20 1 or 2 Option

FHEQ Level 6 Single honours students must acquire 120 credits from Theology & Religious Studies (i.e. the modules listed below), including 40 credits for the dissertation.


Sem of delivery

Module status

TRS6030 Dissertation 40 1&2 Core TRS6003 Bioethics 20 1 OptionTRS6007 New Testament Greek 20 1&2 OptionTRS6008 Gospel of John 20 1 Core TRS6009 Prophets 20 1 Option TRS6010 Apocalyptic 20 2 Option TRS6011 Worship 20 1 Option TRS6012 Sacraments and Liturgy 20 2 Option TRS6013 Christian Living in 20 2 Option

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Contemporary Culture TRS6014 Spirituality 20 1 Option TRS6021 Mary and the Saints 20 1 Option TRS6026 City-Based Fieldwork 20 2 Option TRS6031 Extended essay 20 1&2 Option TRS6032 Jerusalem and the

Galilee 20 2 Option

TRS6040 Ecclesiology 20 1 Option TRS6041 Eastern Christianity 20 1 Option TRS6042 Hinduism 20 2 Option TRS6043 Biblical Wisdom

Literature 20 2 Option

TRS6044 Scripture in Contemporary Contexts

20 1 Option

TRS6070 Truth, Theology and Religion in a Pluralistic World

20 2 Option

TRS6080 Religion in Modern Britain 20 2 Option TRS6085 Religion and Gender 20 2 Option TRS6087 Religious Perspectives on

Conflict 20 2 Option

TRS6088 Issues of Identity 20 2 Option TRS6089 Reading Module 20 2 Option TRS6090 Theology, Religious

Studies and the Teaching of RE

20 2 Option

PHL6005 Mind, Soul and Psychology

20 2 Option


20 2 Option


20 2 Option

PHL6012 Philosophy of Religion 20 2 Option PHL6013 Philosophy of Science

and Technology 20 2 Option

WPL6010 Managing in the Workplace

20 2 Option

WPL6020 The Enterprising Workplace

20 1 Option

PHL6017 20th Century Jewish Thought

20 Option

Students who wish to specialise in Biblical Studies must complete at least 80 credits in Biblical Studies at Level 6 including the topic of their dissertation. 20TRS6008 Gospel of John 20TRS6009 Prophets 20TRS6010 Apocalyptic 20TRS6043 Biblical Wisdom Literature 20TRS6044 Scripture in Contemporary Contexts Students who wish to specialise in Christian Theology must complete at least 80 credits in Christian theology at Level 6 including the topic of their dissertation.

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20TRS6011 Worship 20TRS6012 Sacraments and Liturgy 20TRS6013 Christian Living in Contemporary Culture 20TRS6041 Eastern Christianity 20TRS6014 Spirituality 20TRS6040 Ecclesiology 20TRS6021 Mary and the Saints 20TRS6070 Truth, Theology and Religion in a Pluralistic World 20TRS6090 Theology, Religious Studies and the Teaching of RE 20PHL6003 Bioethics Students who wish to specialise in Religious Studies must complete at least 80 credits in Religious Studies at Level 6 including the topic of their dissertation. 20TRS6080 Religion in Modern Britain 20TRS6087 Religious Perspectives on Conflict 20TRS6085 Religion and Gender 20PHL6005 Mind, Soul and Psychology 20TRS6088 Issues of Identity 20TRS6042 Hinduism 20TRS6090 Theology, Religious Studies and the Teaching of RE BA/BSc Combined HonoursProgramme: Theology and Religious Studies FHEQ Level 4 Students equalling in TRS must take at least 60 credits in TRS at each level, including the three core modules at Level 4. All TRS modules at Levels 5 and 6 are optional. Students minoring in TRS must, at Level 4, take at least the 60 core credits in TRS; in addition, minoring students must take at least 40 credits at Level 5, and at least 60 credits across Levels 5 and 6. (That is, a student may take either 60 credits at Level 5, or 40 credits at Level 5 and 20 at Level 6.) All TRS modules at Levels 5 and 6 are optional. Majoring students must acquire 60 credits from the three core TRS modules at Level 4, and must take at least 40 credits in their minor subject. The other 20 credits can be gained from TRS (i.e. the optional modules listed below), or from their minor subject, or from a module on another programme.


Sem of delivery

Module status

TRS4000 Foundations in Biblical Interpretation

20 1 Core

TRS4010 Foundations in Christian Theology

20 2 Core

TRS4050 Foundations in Religious Studies

20 1 Core

TRS4002 Religion, Community and Culture

20 2 Option

TRS4004 Introduction to Biblical 20 1&2 Option

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Hebrew TRS4005 Introduction to New


TRS4006 Key Modern Theologians 20 2 Option PHL4014 Key Texts in Antiquity 20 1 Option PHL4018 Being and Action: An

Introduction to Philosophical Anthropology and Ethics

20 1 Option

FHEQ Level 5 Majoring students will take at least 60 credits from TRS (i.e.) the modules listed below. Students may take up to 60 credits in their minor subject. A student who takes 80 credits at Level 5 in TRS must take 40 credits in the minor subject at Level 5 and 20 additional credits in the minor subject at Level 6. (That is, the student is required to take 60 credits in the minor subject across Levels 5 and 6: 60 in Level 5, or 40 in Level 5 and 20 in Level 6)


Sem of delivery

Module status

TRS5000 Buddhism 20 2 Option TRS5003 Bioethics 20 1 Option TRS5004 Islam 20 2 Option TRS5005 Judaism: Faith and

Practice 20 1 Option

TRS5006 Jerusalem and the Galilee 20 1 Option TRS5007 Introduction to New


TRS5012 Synoptic Gospels 20 1 Option TRS5013 Pauline Christianity 20 2 Option TRS5014 Hermeneutics and the Old

Testament 20 2 Option

TRS5021 Mary and the Saints 20 1 Option TRS5023 Religion and Art 20 2 Option TRS5026 City-Based Fieldwork 20 2 Option TRS5027 Grace, Sin and Salvation 20 2 Option TRS5028 Christology 20 1 Option TRS5029 Trinity 20 2 Option TRS5040 Ecclesiology 20 1 Option TRS5041 Eastern Christianity 20 1 Option TRS5042 Hinduism 20 2 Option TRS5043 Biblical Wisdom Literature 20 2 Option TRS5044 Scripture in Contemporary

Contexts 20 1 Option

TRS5051 Atheism and Non-Religion 20 1 Option TRS5070 Truth, Theology and

Religion in a Pluralistic World

20 2 Option

20PHL5005 Mind, Soul and Psychology

20 2 Option

20PHL5007 Moral Philosophy: Key 20 1 Option

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Thinkers 20PHL5010 Philosophy in Schools and

the Community 20 2 Option

20PHL5012 Philosophy of Religion 20 2 Option 20PHL5013 Philosophy of Science and

Technology 20 2 Option

WPL5010 Contributing to the Community

20 TBC Option

WPL5031/40/51 Experience and Employment (in Education/Business/Sport)

20 TBC Option

FHEQ Level 6 Majoring students will take at least 100 credits in TRS (i.e. the modules listed below), including a 40-credit Dissertation.


Sem of delivery

Module status

TRS6030 Dissertation 40 1&2 Core Major students

TRS6003 Bioethics 20 1 OptionTRS6007 New Testament Greek 20 1&2 OptionTRS6008 Gospel of John 20 1 Core TRS6009 Prophets 20 1 Option TRS6010 Apocalyptic 20 2 Option TRS6011 Worship 20 1 Option TRS6012 Sacraments and Liturgy 20 2 Option TRS6013 Christian Living in

Contemporary Culture 20 2 Option

TRS6014 Spirituality 20 2 Option TRS6021 Mary and the Saints 20 1 Option TRS6026 City-Based Fieldwork 20 2 Option TRS6031 Extended essay 20 1&2 Option TRS6032 Jerusalem and the

Galilee 20 2 Option

TRS6040 Ecclesiology 20 1 Option TRS6041 Eastern Christianity 20 1 Option TRS6042 Hinduism 20 2 Option TRS6043 Biblical Wisdom

Literature 20 2 Option

TRS6044 Scripture in Contemporary Contexts

20 1 Option

TRS6070 Truth, Theology and Religion in a Pluralistic World

20 2 Option

TRS6080 Religion in Modern Britain 20 2 Option TRS6085 Religion and Gender 20 2 Option TRS6088 Issues of Identity 20 2 Option TRS6089 Reading Module 20 TBC Option TRS6090 Theology, Religious

Studies and the Teaching of RE

20 TBC Option

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PHL6005 Mind, Soul and Psychology

20 2 Option


20 2 Option


20 2 Option

PHL6012 Philosophy of Religion 20 2 Option PHL6013 Philosophy of Science

and Technology 20 2 Option

WPL6010 Managing in the Workplace

20 TBC Option

WPL6020 The Enterprising Workplace

20 TBC Option

25 Work placements or study abroad

Study Abroad Study in Jerusalem and the Galilee offers opportunities to explore a wide range of topics relating to biblical studies, Christian theology and religious studies. Students will engage at first hand with diverse sites, people and places of worship which can only be found in the Holy Land. The city-based module has as its aim to travel to a city either in Europe or further afield and to visit relevant sites there. Students will select topics of interest which can only be thoroughly explored using fieldwork in this city. Students have the opportunity to take the following work-based learning modules during their studies: • WPL5010 Contributing to the Community • WPL5031/40/51 Experience and Employment (in Education/Business/Sport) • WPL6010 Managing in the Workplace • WPL6020 The Enterprising Workplace

26 Links to industry and employability

Employability Theology students progress to a wide variety of careers in education, training, pastoral care, management and ministry.

27 Programme awards

This programme conforms to the University Academic Regulations. Eligibility for Awards In order to qualify for a Bachelor of Arts degree, students must complete 360 credits, 120 at each of FHEQ Levels 4, 5, and 6. PART 3 – TEACHING, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT

28 Programme teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and Learning Strategy The range of teaching and learning methods utilised on the programme include lectures, presentations, seminars, group discussions, individual tutorials and guided independent study.

29 Programme assessment strategy

Assessment Strategy: Summary The guiding principle for assessment in Theology and Religious Studies is to see assessment as a tool to promote effective learning, not simply an instrument to measure what learning has taken place. In order to achieve this, assessment

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must be constructively aligned with the learning outcomes and with teaching and learning activities used in each module. The programme team believes that a variety of assessment tasks can most effectively provide diverse evidence on which judgements can be based. The assessment strategy, therefore, is to set assessment tasks that test intellectual processes and ‘performances of understanding’ (Biggs, 2003, 156). They should promote deep rather than surface approaches to learning and combine both formative and summative roles. There is also a deliberate attempt to build progression into the tasks across the levels. The skills needed for students to succeed in these various forms of assessment are taught and practised particularly at Level 4 in the core modules and the seminars. These include practice in using PowerPoint and other technologies. Various forms of academic writing are also deliberately addressed in the relevant modules at Levels 5 and 6. To ensure diversity which clearly offers both formative and summative assessment, the assessments are clearly aligned with the learning outcomes and teaching methods. Written assignments • Article or chapter review. Students have to summarise the main ideas in the

text, discuss the implications of these ideas and comment on the relevance, clarity and cogency of the text or argument.

• Critical review or comparison of two texts. This task is used from very early in Level 4 to help students begin to understand that there are diverse scholarly approaches to the same topic, and to encourage an awareness of different perceptions of the same material.

• Essay. This remains the most familiar form of writing in Theology and

Religious Studies. Essays allow students to develop the processes of reading, research, selection and writing on a focused topic. Sometimes students have to develop their own essay title and these are collectively reviewed, again sharpening critical awareness.

• Research entries. These very short entries require students to research a

topic and then communicate key ideas in a very concise way. Drafting and re-drafting the text is part of the learning process here.

• Portfolio. These usually relate to field work. Drawing on their research diaries

students select material from visits, analyse the significance of what they have seen and make connections with wider ideas. The narrative at the beginning summarises their learning and reflects on the processes.

• Case study report. This is a report of a major piece of independent fieldwork.

Students have to engage with the full range of issues relating to qualitative research.

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Examinations • Unseen examination. This is the traditional method used to ensure that

students have got control for themselves of major elements of a topic. In the language of ‘performance of understanding’, they are an opportunity for students to make sense of key ideas and apply them in a new context.

• Revealed examination. Students can research their answers beforehand but have to produce an answer under specific time and resource constraints. It encourages them to develop the skills of organising an argument, remembering key points and writing under pressure, but since it is already researched they can engage at greater depth.

• Timed Essay. Students are asked to write an essay under exam conditions in

class. Often these are held quite early in the semester allowing students to show their understanding of key concepts and issues. Feedback can be given quickly and any serious misunderstandings corrected.

Oral assessments • Presentations. Both group and individual presentations obviously enable

students to develop oral skills and the use of appropriate technology and visual material. Students have to select and focus material sharply, make connections and also reflect on their own perspectives.

• Seminar papers. Students prepare a short discussion of a text which they share with other students. This may be a reading of a biblical text or of scholarly material.

• Paper presentation. Students go through the academic process of proposing

a paper, as if for a conference, discussing the proposals, researching and delivering the paper. One of the most rewarding aspects is that all the students hear what each is working on, and there is the real development of a community of learners.

• Dialogue. Used in some of the philosophy modules, a dialogue allows

students to engage with thinkers and ideas in a different and usually more creative way. They encourage the development of a philosophical argument.

The programme adheres to the University turnaround time of three weeks for feedback to students.

PART 4 – UNIVERSITY SUPPORT 30 Student support

and guidance We have a dedicated Student Centre in the heart of the University. Our aim is to assist, guide and support students throughout their period of study. The Student Wellbeing Service provides personal 1-1 Counselling in addition to group workshops such as mindfulness. The Disability Service includes both physical disabilities and learning support such as Dyslexia. Mental Health Advisors and Mentors together with an on-site Health Centre. Our Student Life and Guidance Team includes; the Accommodation Services, Student Funding, Pastoral Care & Advice & Guidance. Each student is allocated a Personal Tutor who can assist

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with any academic advice and support with any personal issues. 31 Quality

management arrangements

This programme aligns with the quality assurance requirements of St Mary’s University through the following processes:

• Five yearly cycle of revalidation • Ongoing monitoring through the Programme Review process • Programme Boards • Consideration of marks and graduate profiles at Exam Boards • Engagement with programme student representatives • Engagement with approved external examiners