Module THEO2701: War and Faith in Great Britain and the United States c. 1690-1990

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO2701: War and Faith in Great Britain and the United States c. 1690-1990

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To enable students to understand the interaction of religion, national identity, politics, and armed conflict.
• To engage students in an informed and critical study of the role of religion in the wars of Great Britain and the United States
• To examine the role of armed conflict as a driver of religious change, and of religion as a driver for armed conflict.
• To develop analytical skills and expression in oral and written form.

Content

• This module explores the place of religion in British and American national identity in the eighteenth century and its role in the conflicts of this era, especially the American War of Independence. It considers the role of religion in mid-nineteenth century conflicts with special reference to the Indian Uprising and American Civil War. It appraises the role of religion in both societies in the First and Second World Wars and concludes with a study of its role during the forty years of the Cold War.

Learning Outcomes

• A broad and critical understanding of the character and development of religion in British and American society.
• Knowledge of the interaction of religion and armed conflict in these societies and its significance across this period.

• Skills in understanding the significance and trajectory of a major historical theme across a broad time frame.
• Skills in critically evaluating the religious content of national identity and national mythmaking.
• Skills in critically appraising pertinent historiography.

• Skills in structuring and presenting evidence-based arguments in concise form, both oral and written.
• Skills in independent research and reflection.
• Skills in reasoned group discussion and debate.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will introduce the subject for that week, the key historical debates, and the relevant historiography. This will enhance subject knowledge and provide an interpretative framework for the two summative assessments.
• Seminars enable students to develop and articulate their own understandings of the subject under discussion and its significance for their assessments and for the module as a whole.
• The formative essay plan will enable students to map out the material and arguments for their first summative essay and to receive feedback thereon.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One-page essay plan.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.