1.
PROGRAMME INFORMATION
Programme Title
Department and Faculty
Master of Theology in Religion, Ethics and Society
Department of Theology, Religion and Philosophy
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Date of most recent (re)validation
May 2011
Date(s) when Programme Specification
revised
September 2015
Revalidation due date
Academic year 2016-17
Awarding Institution
University of Winchester
Teaching Institution (if different)
n/a
Programme also accredited by (if relevant)
n/a
Title of Final Award
Master of Theology in Religion, Ethics and Society
Title(s) of Exit Award(s)
Postgraduate Diploma in Religion, Ethics and Society
Postgraduate Certificate in Religion, Ethics and Society
Language of Study
English
Mode(s) of Attendance
Full-time; Part-time
Mode(s) of Delivery
Taught; Distance
Intake start date(s) and number of intakes
per year
September 2011
Normal Period of Study
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
UCAS Code
n/a
QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
Theology and Religious Studies
2.
September and January; 2 intakes per year
ADMISSIONS AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Prospective students should consult the latest prospectus and/or course pages online for
programme entry requirements.
Prospective students for Taught programmes should consult the Admissions Policy for Taught
Programmes. Prospective students for Professional Doctorate programmes should consult the
Postgraduate Research Programmes Admissions Policy. Both are available on the University’s public
webpage.
3.
3.1
a)
b)
c)
EDUCATIONAL AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The aims of the Programme are:
To offer students from a variety of backgrounds the opportunity to engage in advanced study
and supervised independent research in theology, religion and ethics, much of which will be
at, or informed by research at, the forefront of these disciplines.
To offer a broadly-based programme of study and research, focusing on selected religious and
theological traditions in their interactions with contemporary sociopolitical contexts and
ethical issues.
To foster in students an informed and critical awareness of current problems in their chosen
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
3.2
areas of study.
To encourage students to utilize a range of academic disciplines and discourses in reflecting
critically on religious traditions, their theologies and practices in the complex social and
political contexts of the contemporary world.
To encourage engagement in depth with one or more religious and theological traditions
through the careful critical study of significant texts, thinkers, movements and/or practices.
To provide students with a supportive learning environment (either virtual or campus-based)
offering a range of learning, teaching and assessment experiences appropriate to their topics
of study.
To use the research interests of staff in order to inform and enhance the students’ learning
experience.
To promote the development of key transferable skills that will assist students in their career
options.
To equip students to undertake original research at doctoral level.
The Learning Outcomes of the Programme are:
Upon completion of the programme students will be able to demonstrate Knowledge and
Understanding (K&U) and Skills and Other Attributes (S&OA). These are identified below and
marked against each level learning outcome.
On successful completion of the programme, all students should have:
a) An in-depth critical understanding of a broad range of current issues in the academic
study of religions and/or theology (K&U)
b) A critical, self-reflexive and empathetic understanding of one or more religious and
theological traditions (K&U)
c) An informed and critical awareness of the engagement of religious and theological
traditions with a range of contemporary socio-political contexts and ethical issues (K&U)
d) The ability to engage in depth with religious and theological traditions through the
careful critical study of relevant texts (in translation), thinkers, movements and/or
practices (K&U)
e) The capacity, in writing the dissertation, to make a solid academic contribution to their
chosen field of study (K&U)
f) an ability to apply the theories, concepts and methodologies of Theology and Religious
Studies to a range of examples of theology, culture, tradition and worship, and in detail
to a particular aspect of Theology or Ethics (S&OA)
g) ability to offer informed comment from a theological perspective on contemporary
issues (S&OA)
h) ability to demonstrate self-direction and self-reflection in problem solving (S&OA)
i) research skills, including the locating and evaluating of materials for assignments (S&OA)
j) writing skills including the ability to write concise and critical evaluations of material and
ideas (S&OA)
k) an ability to analyse appropriately critical and conceptual materials (S&OA)
l) an ability to be self-reflective in the process of engaging with theological and ethical
issues (S&OA)
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4.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, LEVELS, MODULES, CREDIT AND AWARDS
This section outlines the levels of study, modules and credits required for each programme (where
there is more than one) and for final and exit awards)
Module code and title
Credits
Core/Mandatory/
Optional
Comments
(eg pre/co-requisites)
Level 7
Research Methods
20
Mandatory for MTh/
PGDip
The Practice of
Contemporary Christian
Theology
20
Core for
MTh/PGDip/PGCert
Theology, Religion and
Ethics
20
Core for
MTh/PGDip/PGCert
Christian Theology and
Bioethics
20
Optional
Death in World Religions
20
Optional
Death in the Christian
Tradition
20
Optional
Introduction to Orthodox
Theology
20
Optional
Modern Orthodox
Theology
20
Optional
Pilgrimage
20
Optional
Supervised Research
20
Optional
Dissertation
60
Mandatory for MTh
Normally the first module taken
by all students
Students may take any one of
these modules. Normally all
modules are offered all the time,
except for Pilgrimage, which is
normally dependent on an
organized trip.
Students must have completed all
other modules to be allowed to
enrol in the Dissertation module.
Normally completed in the third
semester of study by FT students
and in two consecutive semesters
by PT students
Exit awards: PGCert (Practice of
CCT + Theology Religion and
Ethics + 1 other module)
PGDip (Practice of CCT + Theology
Religion and Ethics + Research
Methods + 3 other modules)
MTh (Practice of CCT + Theology
Religion and Ethics + Research
Methods + 3 other modules +
Dissertation)
Page 3 of 9
Practice of
Contemporary Chn
Theol
OR
Religion in the
Contemporary
West
(20 credits)

Theology, Religion
& Ethics (20
credits)

Optional 20-credit
MTh module


Research Methods
& Skills (20
credits)
EXIT POINT – 60
credits
PGCert in Religion,
Ethics & Society

PART 1
---Optional 20-credit
MTh module

Optional 20-credit
MTh module

Optional 20-credit
MTh module

EXIT POINT – 120
credits
PGDip in Religion,
Ethics & Society

PART 2
Independent
Study
(Dissertation – 60
credits)

EXIT POINT – 180
credits
MTh in Religion,
Ethics and Society
5.
LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
5.1
Means of delivery:
The Key Information Set (KIS) activity type is indicated in brackets.

Lectures and seminars for discussion of critical and theoretical texts, theories and methods
(KIS: lecture; seminar)
Page 4 of 9



Individual tutorials (face-to-face, and via LN, Skype, email & telephone) (KIS: tutorial)
Tutor-student and student-student discussion by LN forums (KIS: seminars)
Research and study skills guidance via tutorials and downloadable detailed notes (KIS:
guided independent study)
Tutor & self arranged field visits (e.g. churches, monasteries, pilgrimages) (KIS: external
visits)
Independent research (KIS: guided independent study)


Additional information, which complements this, is available via the Unistats ‘widget’ on the
University’s individual course pages (applicable only for undergraduate programmes).
5.2
Types of assessment employed:
The Key Information Set (KIS) activity type is indicated in brackets.
There are no formal examinations in the modules. Assessments include critical essays, book reviews,
short paper visit reports, textual analyses, dossier of sources, websites, and critical self-refection
reports (KIS: written assignments). Assessment in the majority of taught modules is a maximum of
4,000 words assessed, in one or more assignments; the Dissertation is assessed through a 15-20,000
word piece of research (KIS: dissertation).
The Research Methods module involves the production of a master document proposing a research
project and develops and assesses research skills, independent study, the ability to construct a thesis
or argument, and critical engagement with concepts. This assessment must be passed in order to
complete the module and thereby allow the student to go on to take the Dissertation module.
A grid mapping assessments to modules is in Appendix 2.
The interests of students with protected characteristics will be taken into consideration and
reasonable adjustments to assessments will be made provided that these do not compromise
academic standards as expressed through the learning outcomes.
6.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT
6.1
Mechanisms for review and evaluation:
Quality assurance and enhancement at Module Level
Students provide feedback to module tutors through Module Evaluation Forms, reviews and other
responses. The tutor collates the evaluation forms and produces a response for discussion at
Programme Committee. The response identifies good practice and proposes remedies for any points
of concern. The response is made available to students at the next running of the module.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Programme Level
The Programme Committee evaluates the success of the programme, paying particular attention to
student feedback and student representatives. Minutes from the Programme Committee and the
External Examiners report will inform the Annual Programme Evaluation which is submitted for
approval to the Faculty Academic Development Committee. Issues for attention are identified and
included in the action plan for the following year.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Department Level
The Annual Programme Evaluation is submitted to the Department for discussion and to draw out
department objectives.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Faculty Level
The Annual Programme Evaluation is submitted to the Faculty Academic Development Committee
which has oversight of learning development in the Faculty, including via the Peer Observation of
Page 5 of 9
Teaching.
Quality assurance and enhancement at University Level
The quality of the programme is monitored by an External Examiner appointed by the University’s
Senate Academic Development Committee. The External Examiner’s Report is distributed to the
Vice-Chancellor, First Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Director of Academic Quality and Development, the
Faculty Dean and Faculty Head of Quality. A summary of all external examiner reports is received at
Senate Academic Development Committee. An annual audit of Faculties is conducted by Senate
Academic Development Committee.
Quality assurance and enhancement for Staff
The quality of learning and teaching is supported by the Peer Observation of Teaching and Staff
Development, by Staff Development and Review, by attendance at conferences and curriculumfocused staff development, by external involvement such as external examining and by involvement
in research and knowledge exchange activities.
6.2 Indicators of Quality and Standards
External Examiner Report(s)
Annual Monitoring process
Student feedback including the National Student Survey or Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey
Student representation at Faculty level and University level committees
Programme Revalidation
Higher Education Review
7.
7.1
THE REGULATORY & POLICY FRAMEWORK
The programme conforms fully with the University’s:
Academic Regulations for Taught Programmes
7.2
No exemptions from the Academic Regulations are required.
7.3
External Professional Statutory Regulatory Body Accreditation
None
7.4
Engagement with UK Quality Code and Subject Benchmarks
Validation and Revalidation assure the University of the Programme’s continued engagement with
FHEQ and appropriate consideration of subject benchmarks. Between validations external examiners
assure the University that this engagement remains active and evident.
7.5
Engagement with Work Based Learning and Placements Approved Procedures
N/A
Page 6 of 9
Appendix 1
Grid mapping Modules to Programme/Level Learning Outcomes
LOs:
On successful completion of the programme, all students should have:
a) An in-depth critical understanding of a broad range of current issues in the academic
study of religions and/or theology (K&U)
b) A critical, self-reflexive and empathetic understanding of one or more religious and
theological traditions (K&U)
c) An informed and critical awareness of the engagement of religious and theological
traditions with a range of contemporary socio-political contexts and ethical issues (K&U)
d) The ability to engage in depth with religious and theological traditions through the
careful critical study of relevant texts (in translation), thinkers, movements and/or
practices (K&U)
e) The capacity, in writing the dissertation, to make a solid academic contribution to their
chosen field of study (K&U)
f) an ability to apply the theories, concepts and methodologies of Theology and Religious
Studies to a range of examples of theology, culture, tradition and worship, and in detail
to a particular aspect of Theology or Ethics (S&OA)
g) ability to offer informed comment from a theological perspective on contemporary
issues (S&OA)
h) ability to demonstrate self-direction and self-reflection in problem solving (S&OA)
i) research skills, including the locating and evaluating of materials for assignments (S&OA)
j) writing skills including the ability to write concise and critical evaluations of material and
ideas (S&OA)
k) an ability to analyse appropriately critical and conceptual materials (S&OA)
l) an ability to be self-reflective in the process of engaging with theological and ethical
issues (S&OA)
LOa
LOb
LOc
LOd
Research
Methods
LOe
LOf
LOg
LOh
LOi
LOj
LOk
LOl
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
The Practice
X
of
Contemporary
Christian
Theology
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Theology,
Religion and
Ethics
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Christian
Theology and
Bioethics
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Death in
World
Religions
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Death in the
Christian
Tradition
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 7 of 9
LOa
LOb
Introduction
to Orthodox
Theology
X
X
Modern
Orthodox
Theology
X
X
Pilgrimage
LOc
X
LOd
LOe
LOf
LOg
LOh
LOi
LOj
LOk
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Supervised
Research
X
X
X
X
Dissertation
X
X
X
X
X
LOl
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 8 of 9
Research
Methods
The Practice
of
Contemporary
Christian
Theology
Research
Dissertation
Reflective
journal
Formative
essay
Website
X
X
X
Theology,
Religion and
Ethics
X
Christian
Theology and
Bioethics
X
Death in
World
Religions
Death in the
Christian
Tradition
Essay
Case study
Analysis
Book review
Dossier of
sources
Preparation
of research
proposal
Appendix 2: Grid mapping Assessments
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Introduction
to Orthodox
Theology
X
X
Modern
Orthodox
Theology
X
X
Pilgrimage
X
Supervised
Research
X
Dissertation
X
X
Page 9 of 9