“Changing the ‘Subject’ in Religious Studies”: Reflections upon “Learning outside the Lecture Theatre” in the Undergraduate Study of Religion

Abstract

This article is based on research undertaken for a Higher Education Academy project investigating pedagogic approaches to tutor-led fieldwork in the undergraduate study of religion. It explores three categories of engaging with religion – reported, represented and lived religion – and values student voices, exploring how students interact with ‘living religion’ and seeking to understand how this affects their learning engagement with religious communities. It seeks to provide underpinning approaches for the formulation of a practical pedagogy for tutor-led fieldwork in religious studies in direct response to evolving methodologies concerning how researchers and tutors approach the study of religion. It also asks questions concerning the ‘fit’ of this approach within the limitations of contemporary TRS in UK HEIs.