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Course Overview
Embark on a transformative learning journey with the UK’s most innovative home study provider, offering courses designed to unlock your true potential and facilitate the career change you desire. Access our distance learning courses directly from anywhere, anytime, and acquire industry-recognised Professional Qualifications essential for advancing in your career.
Specifically, explore the flexible and convenient Religious Studies (Level 3) course, an ideal way to gain a diploma qualification. Whether you aim for further education, improved job prospects, or expanded knowledge, this comprehensive course allows you to prepare thoroughly for exams or careers through home study. Plus, it’s structured to be accessible and beneficial even if you have no prior knowledge in Religious Studies.
The Level 3 Diploma in Religious Studies stands as a comprehensive and enriching program, offering a profound exploration of religious beliefs, philosophical inquiries, and ethical considerations. This course is meticulously designed to provide candidates with an academic and rigorous approach to understanding religion, ensuring accessibility to individuals of any religious affiliation or none. Its inclusive nature aligns with the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that candidates may bring to the study.
At the core of the diploma is the encouragement for candidates to cultivate a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the systematic study of religion and its interconnectedness with the broader world. This academic discipline aims not only to impart knowledge but also to foster a deep understanding and specialised skills relevant to the study of religion. The course goes beyond mere information dissemination; it invites candidates to engage in reflective practices, prompting them to ponder and refine their own values, opinions, and attitudes in light of the insights gained through the learning process.
An integral aspect of the diploma is the exploration of Christianity and Judaism, encompassing textual, theological, historical, Christological, ethical, phenomenological, and philosophical dimensions. This multifaceted approach ensures that candidates gain a holistic perspective, appreciating the richness and diversity inherent in religious traditions. Importantly, the course is structured to accommodate candidates with varying levels of prior knowledge in Religious Studies, making it accessible to beginners while providing a platform for those who have previously studied the subject to deepen their understanding and skills.
Whether candidates are approaching Religious Studies for the first time or seeking to build upon their existing knowledge gained at the A Level, this diploma offers a flexible and engaging pathway. The emphasis on academic rigor, coupled with the exploration of diverse religious perspectives, positions this course as an excellent choice for individuals eager to delve into the complexities of religious belief, philosophy, and ethics.
Course Key Topics
the Religious Studies (Level 3) course is divided into 4 modules.
Module 1: Old Testament
1. An Introduction to the World of the Old Testament
The module will also overview issues of:
- How far the accounts of the Exodus and conquests are credible: as history; slavery and freedom.
- The meaning of nationhood.
- The significance of kingship and syncretism.
- Intolerance.
2. The Old Testament view of God’s Relationship with his People.
In this module we will build on the World of the Old Testament, exploring the idea of covenant and its place in the everyday life of Ancient Israel with reference to the following:
- Common ideas of covenant in the political life of the Ancient Near East (ANE).
- Some twentieth/twenty first century critical views about the making of the covenant with the Patriarch Abraham and the beginnings of covenant relationships.
- How through Moses, the relationship was formalised through Law and the giving of that Law.
This unit also looks at impacting issues of:
- The relevance of Old Testament concepts of God in the twenty-first century.
- The significance of the idea of covenant.
- The impact of critical views on an understanding of the covenant and whether the Law of Moses is relevant in the twenty-first century.
3. The Phenomenon of Prophecy
This unit looks at the nature of the Bible Prophets and their function in society with reference to the following:
- The development of prophecy in the 9th and 10th BCE centuries, with particular focus on Samuel and Elijah.
- The development of the prophetic experience and the types of prophets.
The following topics will also be discussed within this unit:
- Prophets as ordinary or extraordinary people.
- Prophets credibility in society.
- The inevitability of conflict between Prophets and the authorities of their day in the Old Testament and in other times and the continuing significance of prophetic experience.
4. Eighth Century (BCE) Prophecy: Considering Amos.
The book of Amos, offers readers a glimpse into the world of this remarkable Prophet, the stance of taking a lonesome road in the pursuit of both calling and commitment to the cause. Yahweh has revealed for his errant peoples, using the voice of this simple but, remarkable man of God.
We consider the continuing significance of Amos’ theme of the relationship between religious practice and morality with reference to the following topics:
- His teaching on the nature of God, and God’s relationship with the people.
- The ideas of election and responsibility.
- His criticisms of the social, religious and political life of the people and his views on the future of the people, including his teaching on the ‘Day of the Lord’.
The passage set for study will be from the Book of Amos. The topics discussed will be:
- Amos as a prophet of doom.
- The relative importance of Amos’ social, religious and political criticisms.
- The extent to which covenant underpinned Amos’ teaching.
- The extent to which Amos may be viewed as a typical prophet.
- Whether Amos was right in his views on God and Israel and his predictions of Israel’s future.
Module 2: New Testament
1. How the Synoptic Gospels came into Being
This module will study the oral tradition with reference to:
- The reasons for the synoptic gospels being committed to writing.
- The relationship between the three synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew and Luke).
- The priority of Mark.
- The reasons for writers editing material as they wrote the synoptic gospels.
- The reasons for translating the original Greek synoptic texts.
The topical concerns as to whether the understanding about how John’s gospel came into being assists our understanding of the synoptic gospels themselves; the advantages and disadvantages of having three gospels rather than one given the time gap before the gospels were written; uncertainty about their sources and authorship, and whether we can trust them to be accurate or the Word of God.
2. Aspects of Jesus’ Teaching and Actions; Parables and Healing
In this module, students will, through specific reading of Biblical accounts, be the role and the purpose of parables and healings as recorded in the synoptic gospels; scholars’ views of the theology and the teaching found in parables and healings.
The following passages are set for study:
- The Sower (Matthew 13:3–23 and Mark 43–20).
- The Tenants in the Vineyard (Matthew 21:33–46 and Mark 12:1–12).
- Centurion’s Slave (Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10).
- Legion (Mark 5:1–20 and Luke 8:26–39).
The issues to be discussed: in a scientific age, do Jesus’ healings have to be rationalised? Is context so important that parables cannot be understood in the twenty-first century? Are scholars necessary to ensure people have a true understanding of the theological messages from the parables and the healings?
3. The Arrest, Trial and Death of Jesus
Students will be expected to clearly understand the wider views and debate of the theological message and the teaching about the person of Jesus provided by the writers in these accounts and the main similarities and differences between the three accounts.
The following themes arising are discussed:
- Is there any satisfactory explanation of why the synoptic accounts of the arrest, trial and death of Jesus are so different from each other?
- Is it possible to deduce from them the reason why Jesus was crucified?
- Are the accounts of the arrest, trial and death of Jesus historically reliable?
- How convincing are the claims made about the person of Jesus and his ministry based on the synoptic accounts of his arrest, trial and death?
4. The Resurrection of Jesus
In this unit, students will understand, in part the wider scholastic debate, the views of the theological message and the teaching about the person of Jesus provided by the writers in these accounts and the main similarities and differences between the three accounts.
The following issues arising will be discussed:
- Are the resurrection accounts symbolic, historical or both symbolic and historical?
- Is there any satisfactory explanation of why the synoptic accounts of the resurrection are so different from each other?
- Is the longer ending of Mark’s Gospel authentic?
- How important are the synoptic resurrection narratives for the Christian faith?
Module 3: New Testament II
1: The Context of John’s Gospel
This module focuses on the relationship between John and the synoptic gospels; the Christian context, the Early Church and the Greek and Jewish context from which John draws. The following issues arising will be discussed:
- The debate about the relationship between John and the synoptic gospels.
- How an understanding of the background to John’s gospel helps an understanding of the gospel.
- How far John’s gospel was written in response to the situation and needs of the Early Church and whether John’s Gospel can be read without knowing about Jewish and Greek thinking and traditions.
2. The Nature, Role and Purpose of the Discourses in John’s Gospel
Within this unit of study, students are expected to look at discourses. The following are examples of discourses and students will be expected to know about these in particular, although they may exemplify their answers from other material in John to support their answers.
The topics arising will be discussed, to consider and form opinion as to:
- Whether these discourses are John’s interpretation of Jesus’ teaching are the issues in the discourses of any relevance to people today.
- Do we really learn very much about the person of Jesus from John’s records of the discourses?
- Whether an understanding of the discourses require an understanding of Christian theology.
3: The Nature Role and Purpose of Signs in John’s Gospel
The following are examples of signs, students will be expected to know about these in particular, although they may exemplify their answers from other material in John to support their answers.
The following questions will be consider in their wider context:
- If John is correct, why would Jesus use signs rather than direct communication?
- Would people at the time have understood the signs as John does?
- Could the signs really have happened and does this matter to John?
- Whether an understanding of Christian theology is necessary to understand signs.
4. The Nature, Role and Purpose of the Passion and Resurrection Narratives
Students will be expected to know the content and context of the following passages in particular, although they may exemplify their answers from other material in John’s Gospel to support their answers.
The following issues arising will be analysed:
- Whether there is there any history in John’s accounts?
- Is John more interested in the death than in the resurrection?
- Does John see salvation only in these events?
- Are the passion and resurrection narratives really Christian theology?
Module 4: Ways of Reading and Understanding Scripture
1. Textual History and Interpretation of the Bible
Consideration in this short module will specifically centre on:
- The historic person, John and his culture.
- Re-examining the relationship between John and the synoptic gospels.
- Re-examining the purpose of John’s writings.
2. The History and Status of Biblical Translations
Consideration will be given to the translation of the Bible, to examine whether scripture can be the Word of God and also have some clear understanding as to the nature of bible translation.
3. How Differently Christians have Viewed the Bible over the History of the Religion.
Consideration will be given to how the uses and status of the Bible have changed overtime and its place in the modern church as a source of authority.
4. The Modern use of the Bible in Worship, Attitude and Status.
Examination of the way in which the Bible is used in Christian worship, a look at the modern era and the status in which it is placed today.
(Please click on the curriculum tab above to see a detailed view of each module)
Course Content
Religious Studies (Level 3) – FREE Starter Pack
How to…. (a series of explainer videos)
Module 1 – Old Testament
Module 2 – New Testament
Module 3 – New Testament II
Module 4 – Ways of Reading and Understanding Scripture
Course Resources
Final Exam
College Announcements
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David Patel.