Open University

BA (Honours) in Religion, Philosophie und Ethik

Knowledge and understanding

When you complete your studies for this qualification, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

• What it means to approach both ethical and non-ethical issues philosophically, as understood within the contemporary Western tradition of philosophy; the distinctiveness and diversity of religious studies (with its various approaches), and its critical and contested nature
• Selected classic and contemporary philosophers and their views on various topics, including a variety of ethical questions; a diverse range of religious phenomena (including different religious traditions) in various contexts
• How to analyse and construct arguments in philosophy and ethics; a range of concepts, theories and methods relevant to religious studies
• The complex, subtle and sometimes controversial ways in which philosophical and ethical theories, and religious ideas and practices, relate to society and culture both historically and in the present day.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this qualification, you will have developed the following cognitive skills:

• Analyse, compare, contrast, and critically evaluate and apply relevant terms, methods, theories, and concepts.
• Synthesise, understand, or critically evaluate primary and secondary sources and formulate your views about the problems discussed.
• Plan and execute philosophical, ethics, and religious studies writing at the appropriate level, including the ability to organise several arguments and counterarguments into a coherent essay.
• Reflect on personal perspectives and assumptions, aspects of learning, and development of key skills.

Practical and professional skills

When you complete this qualification you will be able to:

• Access, select, and research information using your initiative and deploying a range of digital tools.
• Plan and manage a program of work that identifies priorities and consistently meets deadlines with an increasing degree of independence.
• Apply knowledge and skills to a range of different contexts, communicating effectively as appropriate to the audience in question and the task at hand.
• Engage with others effectively and with appropriate sensitivity.
• Appreciate and analyse practical and ethical implications for individuals and communities with particular world views.

Key skills

When you complete this qualification you will be able to:

• Effectively communicate and synthesise philosophical, ethical, and religious studies ideas and arguments using a range of media and in a manner appropriate to different audiences.
• Work independently, developing an effective information-gathering strategy, ordering the data, and relating them to the analysis of a specific intellectual problem.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• You’ll start Stage 1 with an introduction to the arts and humanities and the revolutions that have changed the world.
• Next, in Stage 2, you'll study two compulsory modules as you begin to explore philosophy and religion in more detail.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll complete your degree study focusing on the key questions in philosophy and religion.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll start your degree with:

• Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)

You’ll choose one from:

• Revolutions (A113)
• Global challenges: social science in action (D113)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences (A227)
• Investigating philosophy (DA223)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Key questions in philosophy (A333)
• Why is religion controversial? (A332)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Fähigkeiten für die Karriereentwicklung

Diese Qualifikation entwickelt Ihre Fähigkeiten im kritischen Denken, in der erfolgreichen Kommunikation mit einem breiten Publikum, in der Empathie und im Verständnis für die Ansichten und Vorgehensweisen anderer, in Ihren Kommunikations- und IT-Kenntnissen sowie in der selbstständigen und kollaborativen Arbeit.

Karriere Relevanz

Arbeitgeber legen bekanntermaßen großen Wert auf die Schlüsselkompetenzen in kritischem Denken, Empathie und Kommunikationsfähigkeit, die ein Abschluss in Religion, Philosophie und Ethik bietet. Eine solche Qualifikation eröffnet vielfältige Karrieremöglichkeiten. Absolventen finden diese Qualifikation für eine Vielzahl von Berufen im privaten und öffentlichen Sektor relevant, darunter Lehramt, öffentlicher Dienst, Finanzdienstleistungen, Recht, Kommunalverwaltung, Journalismus und NGO-/Wohltätigkeitsarbeit.

Mit unserem einzigartigen Ansatz für Fernunterricht können Sie von zu Hause, von der Arbeit oder unterwegs lernen.

Sie müssen einige Prüfungsfristen einhalten, ansonsten können Sie jedoch zu den Zeiten lernen, die Ihnen passen, und Ihr Lernen in Ihre Arbeit, Ihre Familie und Ihr soziales Leben integrieren.

Für jedes Ihrer Module verwenden Sie entweder nur Online-Ressourcen oder eine Mischung aus Online- und gedruckten Materialien.

Für jedes Modul, das Sie studieren, gibt es eine Modul-Website mit

• Ein wöchentlicher Studienplaner, der Sie Schritt für Schritt durch Ihr Studium führt
• Kursmaterialien wie Lesematerial, Videos, Aufzeichnungen und selbstbewertete Aktivitäten
• Modulforen für Diskussionen und gemeinsame Aktivitäten mit anderen Studierenden
• Details zu jeder Aufgabe und ihren Fälligkeitsdaten
• Ein Tutoriumsbuchungssystem, Online-Tutoriumsräume und die Kontaktdaten Ihres Tutors
• Online-Versionen einiger gedruckter Modulmaterialien und Ressourcen.