Religious Studies is a wide ranging course that develops skills which enable students to think independently, and to analyse and evaluate ideas rationally and objectively. It also helps to develop the skills of communication and debate. Topics covered over the 2 year course include: Philosophy and religion: arguments for the existence of God, evil and suffering, religious experience, religious language, miracles, self and life after death, the nature and function of religion. The dialogue between philosophy and religion: how religion is influenced by, and influences, the philosophy of religion in relation to the issues studied. Ethics and religion: ethical theories, issues of human life and death, issues of animal life and death, introduction to meta ethics, free will and moral responsibility, conscience, Bentham and Kant. The dialogue between ethical studies and religion: how religion is influenced by, and influences, ethical studies in relation to the issues studied.