Transcendence, Devotion and Desire (L3119B)

15 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll explore the lived experience of transcendence – the human desire and capacity to transcend local ‘situations’.

You’ll address themes including:

  • sex
  • drug
  • death
  • gods of war
  • cultism
  • mysticism
  • secular transcendence
  • dreams
  • false promises.

Through this, you’ll investigate the power of devotion and desire. You’ll study human relations with such gods and analyse the worlds caused by these relations.

You’ll examine:

  • different beliefs about what exists and what is worth devotion in social settings
  • the stories people use to make sense of their devotions and desires
  • how the body learns to desire and commit in certain ways, through habits and attachments that shape everyday life. 

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: