Religion, Philosophy & Ethics

Our students develop key transferable skills in critical analysis, argumentation and communication that are indispensable in a wide variety of occupations. King’s students go on to careers in: government, the Civil Service, non-government organisations, social services, the caring professions, charities, law, the City, academia, PR and advertising, journalism and the media, entertainment and the arts, the church and other religious organisations. Recent graduates have found employment as or in…. • Insight Manager, ISPUN • Sales Executive, Events company • PR Assistant, PR Company • Research Ethics Co-ordinator, National Research Ethics Service • Researcher, Houses of Parliament • Trainee Accountant, Accountancy Firm • Children/Family Worker, Regents Trust • Publishing Assistant, Allison and Busby • Research Assistant, Tyndale House • Company Director. Musical Entertainment company

We strongly believe that teaching and research should be closely related. All teaching members of staff are therefore research-active, many enjoying international reputations as leaders in their fields. Our commitment to original research means that we can introduce students to new discoveries in areas as diverse as priesthood and cult in ancient Israel; mysticism; political Islam and the state; the relationship between philosophy and literature, and between moral and aesthetic value; and religion and politics, in particular nationalism, ethnicity and global networks.

Each programme has a distinctive core, defined through a unique pattern of modules (some year-long modules, some over a single term). Some modules are compulsory, mostly in the first year when they are introductory. The scope for choice increases substantially in the second and third years, to suit developing individual interests and strengths. Module options may change from year to year; we strive constantly to enhance the variety of modules on offer. Methods of assessment vary from one module to another, but typically involve the submission of some coursework (usually an essay) and an unseen written examination in the summer. A few modules involve either coursework or a summer examination.

As befits a capital city that is home to a mix of people of hugely diverse backgrounds, London offers tremendous opportunities for the student of religion. Numerous religious groups with their very different beliefs and rituals, as well as artistic traditions exhibited in places of worship, exist on the department’s doorstep. Unrivalled resources enabling us to put those facets into context are close at hand: looking beyond the College, we can turn to the National Archives, the British Library, the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Lambeth Palace Library, to name only a few.