Religious studies is a vibrant interdisciplinary field of study focusing on religious beliefs and practices and their relationship with the wider world. It is concerned with the concepts and emotions which underpin religious belief and practice, and their role and function in culture and society. Religious studies deals with historical as well as contemporary material and is equally interested in the groups and individuals who practice religion as in the gods, deities, ancestors and spirits with whom they interact. This joint honours programme combines vibrant study of religions with the excitement of English literature. It generates a cross-fertilisation of methods and materials in which literature is illuminated by religious ideas, and religion is mediated in texts from canonical writings of traditions from Buddhist sutras to the Hebrew bible, to classic and modern fiction. Reading and writing are key practices in religion and English literature. This programme introduces you to major examples of texts and gives you the tools and critical skills to understand and interpret them.