Religion Degrees Online

Together, the areas of Philosophy and Religion comprise the study of humanity’s efforts to arrive at reasonable answers to life’s most fundamental questions. As a student in Philosophy/Religion, you’ll examine key assumptions that underlie our thinking, the range of human thought about the universe, and humanity’s place within the universe.

Here, you’ll gain valuable analytical, problem solving, and synthesizing skills. You’ll learn how to analyze and construct well-reasoned arguments, consider the history and subfields of philosophy, and investigate the world’s great religions. In one week, you might go from reading a Buddhist text — to examining Nietzsche’s analysis of morality — to discussing Plato’s theory of the soul.

As a Philosophy/Religion major, you will also have ample opportunity to learn beyond the classroom. With their strong professional contacts, our faculty brings to Farmington two or three eminent academics to speak to classes and the wider UMF community each semester. These renowned experts come to campus to discuss in depth topics being covered in the classroom.

For instance, an expert who is involved with the United Nations came and spoke about Native American land rights issues. Another from Tokyo spoke about religion and violence in modern Japan. During these presentations, students had the opportunity to interact and talk candidly with some of the brightest and most respected minds in the field — an opportunity rarely found at undergraduate colleges.

In addition, the UMF Religion and Philosophy Club (a student organization) regularly participates in academic conferences, hosts guest speakers, and holds public forums for student presentations.

Major in Philosophy and Religion:
The program enables students to get a breadth of understanding of how the human search for meaning is interwoven into human cultures and societies. It offers students an exciting exposure to the central themes of Christianity, the diversity of the world’s religions, and the ways in which philosophers answer the great questions of life.

Students will normally include 3 credits of cross-cultural immersion experiences (as offered in various study-abroad courses.

Distinctive Elements
faculty are dedicated to excellence in teaching
small classes allow for individual attention; professors become acquainted with their students
well structured lectures mixed with classroom discussion, debates, student presentations, films, and guest speakers
learning within a cooperative and open atmosphere of appreciation for difference and diversity of worldviews and cultural values
emphasis is given to intellectual, personal, and spiritual development as well as responsible action in human society and the natural world

Youth and Family Ministry – Course Descriptions
REL 100 or 300 is a prerequisite for all religion and youth and family ministry courses.

YFM 205 Topics in Youth and Family Ministry
Topics in Youth and Family Ministry feature a selection of half-credit courses focused in areas of special ministry interest, such as Outdoor Ministry, Service Learning, Program Planning, Youth Culture & Religion, Communications, Media, Music and Ministry, Ministry with Youth on the Margins, and similar offerings.

YFM 208 and 209 Vocational Formation
This course will offer a time for focused attention in a variety of areas, including career planning, vocational discernment, spiritual formation, administrative skills, and so on, as well as a time to feature guest speakers and workshop leaders. Vocational Formation meets at regularly scheduled intervals throughout the term.

YFM 235 Foundations for Ministry with Youth and Families
This course represents an introductory level study in which the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of ministry with youth and families are explored. Students will also be introduced to the principals of practical theology and learn the skills and sensibilities necessary for discerning what faithful ministry might look like in a specific location.

YFM 302 Ministry Practices
This course emphasizes the day-to-day sensibilities, skills, and practices needed for the grounding and guiding of ministry professionals. An exploration of the history and development of the spiritual practices of the Christian tradition, combined with modern practices used for effective ministry, make up the major themes of this course.

YFM 358 Life and Work of the Church
This course features an overview of the manner in which Christianity has carried out its mission throughout the centuries, as well as an exploration of the issues and challenges facing modern and “post-modern” churches. A central element of this course will be a research project that studies the methods and strategies of congregations and other ministry organizations in their efforts to introduce, nurture, and shape the Christian faith.

YFM 399 Internship
The internship centers around 150 hours of supervised leadership practice focused on youth and families, fulfilled in partnership with a congregation or other approved ministry setting. A formal learning agreement as well as the development of a professional portfolio round out the internship experience.

Study of Religions at Bath Spa University is seen as an academic pursuit, not a religious activity. Our course is deliberately wide-ranging in its choice of religions and spiritual traditions to study.

Study of Religions develops your research skills of analysis, evaluation and interpretation of events. Understanding the real significance of religious ideas, practices and values in today’s global, multi-cultural society helps in any career which involves dealing with people.

Religious beliefs and practices are studied in an open and objective way. Films, guest speakers and fieldwork visits to religious venues complement lectures and seminars.

Issues and approaches in the study of religions are also explored, to develop a critical awareness of theories, methods and concepts in the study of religion.

There is a lively programme of visiting speakers to the ‘World-View Society’ organised by the department for students, staff and others interested in studying religions.

Every student in Year 2 spends a week living as a visitor in a religious community (which may be Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, New Age etc) as part of the ‘Studying Religions’ module.