Religious Studies

Course summary

What is love? Is it ever right to kill? What is real? Do we have a conscience? How do I know that I am free? These are deep and important questions that most students will not get to consider in depth in any other subject and they provide students with critical thinking skills that will complement their other choices as well as provide a solid foundation for their academic future. The first year of Religious Studies investigates theology and religious thought such as Original Sin, Death and the Afterlife, Christian moral action, challenges in society as well as normative ethical theories such as Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics and how they apply to controversial issues of Euthanasia, Business and Sexual Ethics. The second year of the course examines the above in more depth as well as significant social developments in ancient philosophical influences such as Plato and Aristotle, in the nature of the soul, body and mind, arguments for the existence of God, religious and ethical language, proof of conscience and the soul, mind and body. As a whole, the Philosophy and Ethics course is designed to make candidates think about life’s most important questions while providing a rigorous, academic knowledge and understanding of philosophical and ethical issues, using an enquiring and empathetic approach. This is a popular option with many students who study our subject claiming that it is their favorite and valuing the essential and adaptable skills it teaches them such as critiquing arguments and premises, essay writing, analyzing complex ideas and being able to break these down as well as investigation and how to write and argue persuasively. This is an excellent complementary subject to any other options you are considering and is well-respected by universities due to the challenging and varied skills it encompasses. Type and Nature of the Work Involved • Investigation of the philosophical/ethical theories and issues raised through discussion work, group work and Future Prospects The Graduate Careers Advisory Service recommends Philosophy and Ethics to those wishing to pursue careers in law and politics, journalism and publishing, broadcast, film and media, education and medical professions, and finance and public sector service independent study • Note taking and essay writing • Making presentations and debating key issues • Arguing persuasively, critical thinking and independence of thought are developed through the above. Future Prospects The Graduate Careers Advisory Service recommends Philosophy and Ethics to those wishing to pursue careers in law and politics, journalism and publishing, broadcast, film and media, education and medical professions, and finance and public sector services