A Religious Genealogy of Modern Britain

This module considers the decline of Christian Britain during the modern era. Drawing on historical and sociological analyses of British secularisation, this module explores how the United Kingdom has transitioned from an undeniably Christian nation to one in which Christianity is increasingly viewed with suspicion and even open hostility.

Taking a largely thematic approach, the course will investigate societal and cultural changes including the rise of industrialisation and urbanisation, the sexual revolution, and the changing role of Protestantism as a touchstone of national identity. By thinking critically about secularisation within a British context, the module will help students cultivate a more historically-informed and sophisticated understanding of who we are, how we got here, and how the church can respond.