Advanced Diploma
in World Religions
A distance learning course

   College accreditation:
   International Association for Distance Learning.
  

A distance learning course for anyone interested in the emergence and growth of the phenomenon of religion and its social and political implications.

Total recommended period of study: approx. 3 months or less. Continuous enrolment. No time limit.

Cost: £150.00  (150 Pounds Sterling - for currency conversion see www.xe.com )

(A FREE textbook will be sent to UK students. Non-UK students will normally have to purchase the book on-line from an internet bookstore.)

Textbook discount for UK students: We will give UK students a discount of £25 if they purchase the Kindle edition of the textbook from the link in the left-hand column of this page.

Method of study 

Textbook study. Written assignments based on textbooks and exercises. Assignment questions are issued by email and students return their written work by email. Grades and feedback are issued by email.

Course overview

This course focuses on the world-wide development of religions throughout history.

The enormous diversity of religion is revealed as well as its ability to develop and take new forms in response to changes in society, war, conquest and colonization. Against this background, accurate and concise portraits of faiths and aspects of religion are presented.

Religions are understood in the context of diverse worldviews and secular worldviews such as Marxism are also introduced.

Ancient and classical religions covered include those of South Asia, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, the Americas, the Ancient Near East, Persia, Greece, Rome, and Africa plus Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

The post-1500 period covers the Reformation and European changes in Judaism and Christianity, religion in N. America, post-WWII religion, modern religion  and ideology in S. Asia, China, Korea, and Southeast Asia,  Japan and its new religions, Islam and modernization, Pacific religion and colonialism, Religion during and after the Soviet Union, changes in African religion, and developments in Latin America and the Caribbean.

A final section reflects on twentieth-century changes and argues for a pluralistic religious education.

Extensive notes, glossary, timelines and bibliography are provided. The key text is profusely illustrated with photographs and vocabularies of key terms make the text more accessible.

No specific religious conviction is necessary in order to study and enjoy this course, and those of any faith or none are welcome. It is open to all who seek a wider and deeper understanding of the role of religion in society and its history and development. 

The power of religion to govern people's actions and to motivate people to acts that dominate many of today's headlines can only be understood by appreciating that historically, religion and ideology have driven human behaviour, sometimes to extremes.

Required Text:

Smart, Ninian.  The World’s Religions. Second Edition. Cambridge University Press, 1998.

Entry criteria and suitability 

No particular qualifications are required for entry. 

Qualification

Successful graduates will receive the Advanced Diploma in World Religions awarded by UK College of Holistic Training which is a private UK qualification. The college is accredited by the International Association for Distance Learning.

This diploma is accepted by Calamus International University (a non-UK, private distance university with private accreditation) for credit towards a degree.

Further information

Please see our FAQs page for general information.

We reserve the right to change the syllabus and other details of any course at any time.

To apply for this course now, go to our Application page