Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (Hons) University of Hertfordshire

Overview

Why choose this Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (Hons) course at University of Hertfordshire ? 

• Your Philosophy lecturers are all active researchers

• Host of the annual Sir Francis Bacon lecture series

• Home of the British Wittgenstein Society

The interdisciplinary approach takes you beyond the Western cannon and introduces you to multiple ways of thinking about the big questions: what do we know? How should we engage with others and the world around us? What gives life meaning?     

Key facts

• With training in Religious Studies, you’ll discover how religious and spiritual traditions have influenced the modern world, while learning about the diversity, dynamism, and philosophical depth that each of these traditions has to offer. 

• Your courses will help you to understand role of religion in the most pressing issues facing us today, such as climate change and the environment, gender, sexuality, and social justice.  

• You’ll be taught by internationally regarded academics, who’ll help you understand the complexity and dynamism of the relationship between reason, faith and the social contexts that shape both. All our lecturers are active researchers, so you’ll share the excitement of doing original work in a supportive and highly-rated academic community. 

What's the course about?

• You’ll learn through formal courses and extracurricular seminars, while our small group teaching helps you to find your feet in the academic environment. There are plenty of opportunities to discuss philosophical, religious and ethical issues with staff and fellow students, including an optional residential weekend each year.  

• In your first year you’ll take philosophy modules exploring ethics, mind, knowledge and reality alongside an introduction to four of the major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. This will be given a modern context through a module on religion and the contemporary world.  

• Seminars in your first year will explore how to investigate and discuss different beliefs and ideas and to develop your critical thinking, all within a respectful and open-minded environment. Students learn to listen to one another and to learn from the diversity of their experiences. 

• Understanding how people live their different faiths fosters empathy, tolerance and a better ability to navigate a globalised world.