UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification: BA (Hons) Philosophy, Religion, Culture and Society
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
UCLan, Preston Campus
3. University School/Centre
School of Humanities and the Social Sciences
4. External Accreditation
No
5. Title of Final Award
BA (Hons) Philosophy, Religion, Culture and Society
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full time and/or part time
7. UCAS Code
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Philosophy, Theology & Religion
9. Other external influences
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
July 2015
11. Aims of the Programme





To offer a broad introduction to a range of religious, ethical, and philosophical traditions in
national and international contexts, and provide students with the necessary intellectual resources
to critically analyse and assess the foundational principles and tenets of those traditions
To encourage students to explore and assess range of factors relating to pluralism in multicultural
societies
To examine the political, social and cultural impacts of a range of religious and ethical traditions
and belief systems
To provide an intellectually challenging curriculum that is informed by the research and scholarly
activity of the Philosophy and RCS teaching team
To create a supportive environment to assist the academic development of students

To provide access to students from a range of educational backgrounds to develop their
academic and wider potential
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to:
A1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of relevant religious, ethical and philosophical ideas, traditions,
and debates
A2. Display a critical and philosophically-informed understanding of relevant religious and ethical
ideas, traditions and debates, and their influence on British culture and society
A3. Show how a range of contextual factors (historical, economic, social) shape religious, ethical and
philosophical ideas, traditions and debates
A4. Demonstrate critical appreciation of a range of primary and secondary sources relating to
relevant religious, ethical and philosophical ideas, traditions and debates
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, Interactive Seminars, Group Work, Presentations, Group & Individual Tutorials, Group and
Individual Projects, Research and Independent Study, Workshops, e-learning & IT Interaction,
Blackboard Learning Support
Assessment methods
Summative Assessment: Essays, Exams, Portfolio, Oral Presentations (group and individual), Project
(group and individual), Text/book Review, Reflective Reports, Fieldwork, IT Discussion, Proposals,
Research Project, Dissertation.
Formative Assessment: discussions and/or debates, self reflection, peer interactive work, reflective
portfolio and Personal Development Planning (PDP) which also incorporates reflection on fieldwork
experience which is not formally assessed.
B. Subject-specific skills
Students will be able to:
B1. Demonstrate a capacity to apply both comparative and critical analysis to ideas, principles and
beliefs emanating from a variety of religious, ethical and philosophical traditions via the work of major
contributors to those ideas/traditions, encountered in their own writings
B2. Demonstrate a capacity to assess and critically evaluate relevant religious, ethical
and philosophical ideas and traditions, with sensitivity and integrity
B3. Demonstrate the ability to recognise methodological errors, rhetorical devices, unexamined
conventional wisdom, vagueness and unnoticed assumptions in the arguments offered in support of a
variety of religious, ethical and philosophical views
B4. Devise a research project involving independent study, the location of appropriate sources and
the analysis of relevant material relating to the academic study of religion, ethics and/or philosophy
B5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, locate and use
electronic and print based materials related to the academic study of religion, ethics and philosophy
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, Interactive Seminars, Group Work, Presentations, Group & Individual Tutorials, Group and
Individual Projects, Research and Independent Study, Workshops, e-learning & IT Interaction,
Blackboard Learning Support
Assessment methods
Summative Assessment: Essays, Exams, Portfolio, Oral Presentations (group and individual), Project
(group and individual), Text/book Review, Reflective Reports, Fieldwork, IT Discussion, Proposals,
Research Project, Dissertation.
Formative Assessment: discussions and/or debates, self reflection, peer interactive work, reflective
portfolio and Personal Development Planning (PDP), which also incorporates reflection on fieldwork
experience which is not formally assessed.
C. Thinking Skills
Students will be able to:
C1. Demonstrate skills of analytical and critical thinking in relation to the key themes, issues and
developments of the core strands of the syllabus
C2. Demonstrate independent learning and research skills and the ability to identify, organise and
evaluate relevant primary and secondary source materials
C3. Demonstrate the ability to assess and convey diverse opinions, theories and perspectives
clearly, succinctly, rigorously, and in a balanced manner
C4. Demonstrate the capacity to devise a focused research question and coherent research project
involving independent study, location of appropriate sources and analysis of relevant materials
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, Interactive Seminars, Group Work, Presentations, Group & Individual Tutorials, Group and
Individual Projects, Research and Independent Study, Workshops, e-learning & IT Interaction,
Blackboard Learning Support
Assessment methods
Summative Assessment: Essays, Exams, Portfolio, Project (group and individual), Text/book Review,
Reflective Reports, IT Discussion, Proposals, Research Project, Dissertation.
Formative Assessment: discussions and/or debates, IT interaction (chat/discussion board), Utilisation
of Blackboard Learning and LLRS provision (relevant journals/ articles)
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
Students will be able to:
D1
D2
D3
Demonstrate the ability to identify, collect and evaluate information from a variety of sources
Demonstrate skills of analytical and critical thinking, and their appropriate application
Demonstrate an ability to present and communicate ideas and arguments effectively, in oral and
written form, using appropriate techniques
D4 Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and cooperatively, displaying skills such as
self- and time management, negotiation and effective communication
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, Interactive Seminars, Group Work, Presentations, Group & Individual Tutorials, Group and
Individual Projects, Research and Independent Study, Workshops, e-learning & IT Interaction,
Blackboard Learning Support
Assessment methods
Summative Assessment: Essays, Exams, Portfolio, Oral Presentations (group and individual), Project
(group and individual), Text/book Review, Reflective Reports, Fieldwork, IT Discussion, Proposals,
Research Project, Dissertation.
Formative Assessment: discussions and/or debates, self reflection, peer interactive work, reflective
portfolio and Personal Development Planning (PDP)
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level
6
Module
Code
RB3990
PI3991
Module Title
Core modules
Dissertation in Religion,
Culture and Society
Philosophy Dissertation
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
20
20
Optional modules:
RB3001
PI3006
PI3021
RB3003
RB3005
PI3004
Level
5
RB221
PI2214
PI2001
PI2211
PI2005
RB2001
Level 5
Level
4
RB1334
PI1117
PI1118
Perceptions of Morality
Modern European Thought
Contemporary Ethical Theory
Religion in a Global Village
Political Islam & Islamic
Movements
Humanity, Values and the
Environment
Compulsory modules:
Sacredness & Spirituality
Foundations of Ethics
Philosophy of Religion
Optional modules:
Metaphysics and
Epistemology
Phenomenology and
Existentialism
Exploring Christian Theology
Free choice elective
(e.g. language)
Core modules:
Understanding Religion &
Belief
Reason and Argument
Knowledge and Freedom
Optional modules:
Introduction to Judaic &
Christian Thought
RB1005
Introduction to Islam
RB1007
Fundamentalism and Cultural
Heritage
PI1005
The Value of Knowledge:
What is Education For?
PI1119
Problems in Contemporary
Applied Ethics
Level 4
Free choice elective
(e.g. language)
15. Personal Development Planning
RB1013
20
20
20
20
20
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in
Philosophy and Religion,
Culture and Society
Requires 360 credits including a
minimum of 220 at Level 5 or
above and 100 at Level 6
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
and Religion, Culture and
Society
Requires 320 credits including a
minimum of 220 at Level 5 or
above and 60 at Level 6
20
20
20
20
Diploma of Higher Education in
Philosophy and Religion,
Culture and Society
Requires 240 credits including a
minimum of 100 at Level 5 or
above
20
20
20
20
20
Certificate of Higher Education
Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or
above
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
PDP is embedded into the curriculum through a variety of reflective activities, such as: reflective
portfolio work, peer interactive sessions, interactive discussions, tutorial appointments, formative
assessment etc. (please see individual module descriptors for full details).
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Applicants must have 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above plus a 12 unit profile the equivalent of two
subjects at Advanced Level (A2). The minimum level of attainment required for entry to the start of
standard courses leading to awards at first degree level is expressed in terms of UCAS Tariff Points.
Please check the course website for the most up-to-date tariff requirements.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
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Prospectus
Fact Sheet
RCS Web Page and/or Philosophy Web Page - include programme information in terms of
course content, progression routes, PGCE progression, careers, employability & community
support, RCS field trips, the course team, research output etc.
Education & Social Science Web Page
Course Handbook
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Core (C),
Compulsory
Module
(COMP) or
Knowledge and
Level Code
Module Title
Option (O)
understanding
Subject-specific Skills
Thinking Skills
e.g. LEVEL 5
e.g. LEVEL 6
A1
RB3990
PI3991
PI3006
PI3021
PI3004
RB3001
RB3003
RB3005
RB2241
PI2214
PI2001
PI2211
PI2005
e.g. LEVEL 4
RB2001
RB1334
PI1117
PI1118
RB1007
RB1013
RCS Dissertation
Philosophy dissertation
Modern European Thought
Contemporary ethical theory
Humanity, Values and the
Environment
Perceptions of Morality
Religion in a Global Village
Political Islam & Islamic
Movements
Sacredness & Spirituality
Foundations of Ethics
Philosophy of Religion
Metaphysics and
Epistemology
Phenomenology and
Existentialism
Exploring Christian Theology
Understanding Religion &
Belief
Reason and Argument
Knowledge and Freedom
Fundamentalism and Cultural
Heritage
Introduction to Judaic &
Christian Thought
Core
Core
O
O
X
X
X
X
O
O
O
X
X
X
O
Comp
Comp
Comp
X
X
X
X
O
A2
A3
A4
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
C1
C2
C3
C4
D1
D2
D3
D4
X
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O
O
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Core
Core
Core
X
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O
O
X
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Other skills relevant to
employability and
personal development
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
RB1005 Introduction to Islam
PI1005 The Value of Knowledge;
What is Education For?
PI1119 Problems in Contemporary
Applied Ethics
Note:
O
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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X
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O
X
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O
X
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X
X
Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks