Studying Religions
The purpose of the Department's teaching in general is to foster interest in the religious dimensions of societies and peoples in Asia and Africa. Religion commonly encapsulates people's values and ideas, sets forward their role models and is integrally related to a sense of identity for many. The study of religion is therefore concerned with the inspiration (for good or ill) of peoples' culture, history and beliefs concerning ultimate issues. The scholarly study of religions requires all the academic (and transferable) skills of amassing, ordering and critically assessing materials relevant to a specific issue, where appropriate in the original or other relevant languages; developing powers of reasoned analysis, exercising independent thought and communicating effectively in both literary and oral form. The department is deeply committed to the study of religions both in ancient cultures and classical literature, as well as in modern society. Visits to centres of worship are compulsory in the 'Introduction to the Study of Religions' course-unit and form part of several others.
This department makes no religious assumptions; staff and students come from different religions or from none. SOAS studies religions because they have been powerful forces in societies throughout the world in all periods. It is impossible to understand any culture without studying its religion. In studying religions one is studying how people reflect on and react to what they consider to be of ultimate significance.
