This course enables you to explore a range of philosophical and theological issues that human beings have grappled with for centuries. You will develop your ability to formulate sound and articulate arguments in relation to some of the most challenging questions that face us in our world as well as being equipped with strong skills of critical thinking and evaluation, which are essential for active engagement in our world today. In the Philosophy of Religion unit you will study philosophical arguments concerning the nature of God and God's existence; the nature of soul, mind and body; the problem of evil; the nature, impact and credibility of religious experience, and the problems of expressing religious ideas and experiences in language. The Religion and Ethics unit comprises study of a range of religious and non-religious ethical theories, and how these can be applied to the ethical issues raised by business, euthanasia and sexuality. We explore the nature of conscience, and finally meta-ethics - the study of whether and in what sense ethical values are 'real'. The Developments in Religious Thought unit explores Christian beliefs, values and teachings, and how these vary historically and in the contemporary world, as well as challenges to religious belief from secular philosophies; we also study theology’s relationship with issues of gender and feminism, as well as economic justice and Marxism. You will learn through discussion and presentations, as well as reading and essay-writing, and will develop the ability to analyse and marshal complex material, and formulate and present rigorous and well-justified arguments. Students are expected to complete five hours of homework per week.