Adult classes in Religious Studies — six-week programme
How it works
Our tutors run group courses when there is sufficient demand. Courses require a minimum of 2 students and typically run with up to 4 students per group. Once interest reaches the required number, we arrange the course schedule based on group size and tutor availability to ensure convenient times and effective learning. All group sizes and timings are confirmed before the course begins.
Course overview
This six-week evening course is designed for adults who want to explore religion thoughtfully and ask the bigger questions that surround belief, practice and meaning. Participants will examine major world traditions, compare religious ideas, and engage with philosophical, ethical and social issues that religion raises in contemporary life. The course emphasises discussion, critical thinking and respectful enquiry rather than doctrinal instruction.
Who this course is for
Adults with little or no prior study in religious studies who want an accessible introduction.
Anyone curious about how religions shape identity, culture and public life.
People seeking a space to reflect on existential questions such as purpose, suffering, morality and community.
Professionals (teachers, counsellors, community workers) who need a broader, non-confessional understanding of religious ideas.
Course aims By the end of six weeks participants will be able to:
Describe core beliefs, practices and histories of several major world religions.
Compare and contrast religious responses to fundamental human questions.
Analyse how religion interacts with ethics, politics, science and the arts.
Participate confidently in informed, respectful discussions about religion.
Reflect on their own beliefs and the role religion plays in contemporary society.
Weekly outline
Week 1 — What is religion?
Definitions and approaches (anthropological, sociological, philosophical).
Functions of religion: meaning-making, community, ritual, moral guidance.
Methods for studying religion in a neutral, critical way.
Group activity: personal mapping — what religion (and non-religion) means to each participant.
Week 2 — Belief and practice across traditions
Key concepts: the sacred, the profane, ritual, scripture, authority.
Overview: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and non-theistic/worldview perspectives.
Comparative exercise: prayer, worship and ritual — similarities and differences.
Week 3 — Big questions: God, ultimate reality and the self
Theism, atheism, agnosticism, pantheism, and non-theistic perspectives.
Concepts of soul, self, reincarnation, liberation and enlightenment.
Philosophical challenges: the problem of evil, arguments for and against God's existence.
Seminar-style discussion of selected readings.
Week 4 — Ethics, morality and lived religion
Religious moral frameworks (commandments, dharma, karma, virtue ethics).
Case studies: bioethics, social justice, and everyday moral choices.
How belief shapes behaviour, community norms and law.
Group debate on a contemporary ethical dilemma.
Week 5 — Religion, culture and society
Religion and politics: secularism, pluralism, fundamentalism.
Interfaith relations, religious identity and multicultural societies.
Religion in art, literature and popular media.
Workshop: representing religion sensitively in public and professional contexts.
Week 6 — Meaning, doubt and spiritual practice
Doubt, faith development and conversion.
Forms of spiritual practice: meditation, prayer, pilgrimage, service.
Course review: participants present short reflections on a chosen question.
Next steps: resources for continued study and local learning communities.
Learning methods and assessment
Short presentations, guided readings and weekly discussion.
Small group activities, case studies and reflective exercises.
No formal exams; optional short written reflection or oral presentation in week 6 for those who want a certificate of completion.
Materials and resources
A course pack with short excerpts from primary texts and contemporary writers will be provided.
Suggested further reading list covering introductory texts, philosophical essays and accessible histories.
Optional audio/film clips to illustrate practices and contemporary debates.
Practical information
Format: six weekly 2-hour evening sessions (in-person or hybrid).
Group size: 10–20 adults to encourage discussion.
Cost: variable depending on venue; concessions available.
Accessibility: venue with step-free access; materials provided in large print on request.
Facilitation and safeguarding
Taught by an experienced Religious Studies educator with emphasis on impartiality and respectful dialogue.
Guidelines for respectful discussion will be agreed at the start of the course.
Safeguarding policy in place for vulnerable adults; participants can raise concerns in confidence.
How to join
Prospective participants can enquire with the course organiser for dates, fees and registration details.
Pre-course questionnaire to help tailor discussion topics and identify accessibility needs.
Example bigger questions explored during the course
Does religion still matter in an increasingly secular world?
Can science and religion be reconciled, or are they fundamentally opposed?
Is morality dependent on religion?
How do religions respond to suffering and injustice?
What role should religion play in public life and law?
How do personal religious experiences shape belief and community?
This course offers a balanced, open and intellectually rigorous introduction to religious studies for