BA (Hons) Religious Studies and Education Studies

BA (Hons) Religious Studies and Education Studies

When and where can I study this course?

Location Study mode Duration Start date Apply
Wolverhampton City Campus Part-Time 5/6 year(s) 17/09/2012 APPLY DIRECTLY
Wolverhampton City Campus Part-Time 5/6 year(s) 16/01/2012
Closed *
Wolverhampton City Campus Full-time 3 year(s) 17/09/2012 APPLY VIA UCAS

* currently closed for applications.

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Aims

This innovative course provides the essential skills and knowledge of Education Studies and religious issues. A key progression route, is to a PGCE programme. Central to the course is an opportunity for you to develop your full potential, developing the skills for successful study and future employment.

Education Studies aims to provide invaluable insights into learning, teaching and education systems. It introduces students to a variety of educational concepts and fields of enquiry. Students will actively engage in investigating the cultural, religious, psychological, political and linguistic dimensions of teaching and learning. The diversity of learning, classrooms and schools in contemporary society will be examined, alongside the impact of globalisation and international issues and perspectives.

This educational theme is applied in the study of religions in the local community, where you explore the issues that concern religious leaders and their communities. Learning will be at the heart of this.

Employability

This is an ideal course for students who want to go on to a PGCE course. The majority of our graduates have taken this path and become successful teachers, with a responsibility for RE in the primary sector or as RE specialists in secondary schools.

In addition the practical engagement with local religious communities provides a good foundation for employment in the public sector. Religion is an important aspect of many people’s lives, understanding religion is highly relevant to the caring professions, social services, community work, the police, nursing and a wide range of business activities.

The central strand of technology running through the course means that graduates will be digitally literate and have a good understanding of the design and presentation of materials for different audiences.

Content

The core first year modules lay the foundation for the subjects and introduce students to current themes and debates. This covers the key theoretical questions underpinning Education Studies as well as the theory and methods for the study of religion. This is accompanied by an opportunity to develop a chronological and conceptual overview of the major religious traditions.

In Years 2 and 3 you study specific religious traditions and explore a range of social and philosophical issues. In the final year the project allows you to investigate an issue in education in depth, while fieldwork allows an investigation of an aspect of a current religious issue.

Through the course, students are encouraged to extend and apply their knowledge in modules which involve them in a range of stimulating activities and processes, leading discussions, presenting and carrying out research, undertaking placements and fieldwork, and using a range of electronic formats. Extensive use is made of technology to enhance learning, through the PebblePad ePortfolio system students use blogs, wikis and forums for collaborative learning.

Entry

Our typical offer would be 200 UCAS points normally achieved over a minimum of either two or more A levels, an AVCE double award, BTEC National Diploma or other equivalent qualification. This includes any stand alone AS levels,Key Skills at Level 3 and Access to HE Diploma full award (Pass of 60 credits - of which a minimum of 45 credits must be at level 3 including 18 at Merit or Distinction).

GCSE English grade C or above (or equivalent)

All applications are individually reviewed and their skills and experience considered, particularly from mature students who should call 01902 321633 to discuss in more detail.

A satisfactory reference will be required as part of our selection process.

International student language requirements and application guidance can be found at

www.wlv.ac.uk/international/apply

Entry to this course requires a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

Outcomes

  1. the subject knowledge, underlying theories, values and principles of Education Studies.
  2. the different contexts in which learning can take place and the range of different participants and issues in the learning process.
  3. personal value systems, developments and practices with reference to concepts and theories encountered in Education Studies, particularly social justice, inclusion and globalisation.
  4. knowledge and understanding of religion and religions in a variety of historical, social and local contexts.
  5. knowledge, understanding and application of theories and methods to analyse religion and religions.
  6. analyse the relationship between religion and wider society, relating subject knowledge to contemporary debates about religion in educational contexts.

Why WLV?

The Religious Studies course is innovative in the extensive engagement with the local religious environment in Wolverhampton. Many religious communities are within walking distance of the campus and allow for sessions to link the classroom and community.

The course is ideal preparation for students who intend to go into Secondary RE teaching. Staff have recent and relevant experience of teaching in secondary schools and have been involved in local and national developments in Religious Education.

Extensive use is made of a range of up to date technologies to enhance learning experiences. The Wolverhampton designed Pebble Pad ePortfolio system is central to learning and provides a tool for personal development planning. In addition staff are involved in research on the use of technology in learning, for example using iPods to enhance field visits to places of worship.