Consider the ways religion affects personal and political decision-making

Religion not only influences personal behaviours and ethics, but it’s also relevant to international conflicts and domestic policy decisions. On this course, you will gain a broader understanding of why religion matters in society and in different cultures.

You will understand the concepts of religious literacy and religious diversity, both within different societies and religious traditions themselves. You will also use case studies to explore Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and indigenous religious traditions in both historical and contemporary contexts.

Syllabus

Week 1
Why religion matters – religious literacy is important
- Why does religion matter?
  Welcome to this course on practical religious literacy. We will start by exploring why religion is important to you and your fellow learners. Then we will consider the significance of religion for our interconnected, global world.
- What is religious literacy?
  Learn about thinking why religious literacy as a set of principles is important. We will also discuss why common approaches to understanding ‘world religions’ are problematic.
- Why religious literacy matters
  Think about why religious literacy is important in your life. Discover why religious literacy is crucial for businesses and professionals.
- Internal diversity
  Explore the internal diversity of religious traditions, with attention to the diversity of beliefs and practice within Islam. Reflect on your own experiences of religious diversity.
Week 2
Change and choice in religion
- Dynamic and changing religions
  Engage with the principle that religions are dynamic and changing through examples within Hinduism and Christianity. Reflect on your own experiences of religious people and traditions changing.
- Religious resources for change
  Assess the extent to which religion is – or should be – understood as a matter of private beliefs. Reflect upon the boundaries of religion and activism by considering the case study of a contemporary climate-change activist.
- Defining ‘religion’ and the modern state
  Understand how common conceptions of religion came about and explore the relationships between religion and state.
- Religion, law and choice
  Reflect on how relationships between religions and states, governments and countries have changed.
Week 3
Religion/culture and religious violence
- Religion/culture – all aspects of being human
  What is religion? Explore the boundaries of religion and culture further.
- Religion, conflict and internal diversity
  Religion is not all about love and peace. Discuss and evaluate religious justifications for conflict and violence.
- Religion and violence
  How do religious violence and terrorism interact? How do people get drawn into terrorist acts?
Week 4
Engaging with confidence
- When different worlds collide
  Explore how to use the principles of religious literacy when faced with a world view that may be very different than your own.
- Principles of interaction
  Enquiring, researching and responding to help apply religious literacy. Reflecting on harmful practices
- What would you do?
  Evaluate and discuss possible approaches and responses to case studies while applying the principles of religious literacy.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Identify and describe the the principles of 'religious literacy'
Reflect on the boundaries between religion and culture
Evaluate the extent to which religion inspires ways of life including ethics, social activism and extremism
Apply the principles of 'religious literacy' to case studies
Develop confidence in interacting with those who have different beliefs and practices

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone who may interact with a religiously diverse public in their personal or professional lives. This includes police, civil servants, teachers, journalists, council workers and parents.

Who will you learn with?

Suzanne Newcombe

I'm a Lecturer in Religious Studies at the Open University. I've been researching the fascinating interplay between religion and wider society for over twenty years.

Graham Harvey

I'm Professor of Religious Studies at the Open University. I research among Indigenous people and Pagans - with particular interests in rituals, performance and climate disaster.

Hugh Beattie

I am a Lecturer in Religious Studies at the Open University. I have a particular interest in Islam and the culture and history of the Muslim-majority world, especially Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Who developed the course?

The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

Established
1969
Location
Milton Keynes, UK
World ranking
Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

What's included?

The Open University are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

Tests to validate your learning

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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