Religious Studies
Course summary
Why choose to study Religion, philosophy and ethics? What is a good life? Do I have a soul? Is life suffering? What is virtue? In this course we will look at these crucial questions for human existence from a diverse range of perspectives. You will learn about one of the world’s most loved and often misunderstood belief systems, and explore ideas that challenge our understanding of the life and the universe. During the course you will learn in the following ways:• Discussion and debating–this involves sharing your ideas and listening carefully and reflecting on the ideas of others in order to reach a better understanding • Making notes – this is a vital skill whether in school during lessons or in private study time- this will ensure you have the information needed to prepare you for the assessments • Essay writing skills – this will help you to communicate your ideas clearly and coherently. It will also prepare you well for Year 13 assessments which involve extended written answers • Reading – this course is demanding and requires you to be able to read extensively both in class and outside lesson time. As well as textbooks reading journals, magazines and newspapers will assist your progress as well as depth and breadth of understanding • Film and discussion programmes are extensively used to support your learning • Student presentations are used to encourage responsibility and deepening your knowledge of the course content. The preparation of these allows you to develop your individual research skills which will be valuable later • Visits and visitors are arranged to help you understand the importance of the topics we study outside the classroom. We take advantage of the rich religious and cultural opportunities that living in London provides.
Entry Requirements
Checked against your grades — every rule traces to the school's published source.
| Requirement | Rule | You |
|---|---|---|
English Language | Grade 6 in English Language | — |
English Literature | Grade 6 in English Literature | — |
Geography Alternative route | Grade 6 in Geography | — |
English Language Alternative route | Grade 5 in English Language | — |
English Literature Alternative route | Grade 5 in English Literature | — |
History Alternative route | Grade 6 in History | — |
English Literature Alternative route | Grade 5 in English Literature | — |
English Language Alternative route | Grade 5 in English Language | — |
Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics) Alternative route | Grade 6 in Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics) | — |
English Language Alternative route | Grade 5 in English Language | — |
English Literature Alternative route | Grade 5 in English Literature | — |
Mathematics | Grade 5 in Mathematics | — |
As published by the school
Students must have a minimum point score of 5.5 or above for their best 8 GCSE subjects. Please use the following when calculating average point score: BTEC subjects (Distinction star= 8, Distinction=7, Merit=5.5, Pass=4) Students must have at least a GCSE grade 5 or above in Maths and English Additional GCSE Criteria: 6 in English or 6 in RE, History or Geography *We will consider each student’s application on an individual basis. Students who achieve a high 5 in English or Maths would be considered for entry into the Sixth Form.
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Assessment
Each component is assessed with an individual 3 hour exam (100 marks each). Component 1: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics Section A: Philosophy of religion • Arguments for the existence of God • Evil and suffering • Religious experience • Religious language • Miracles • Self and life after death. Section B: Ethics and religion • Ethical theories • Issues of human life and death • Issues of animal life and death • Introduction to meta ethics • Free will and moral responsibility • Conscience • Bentham and Kant. Component 2: Study of Religion and Dialogues Section A: Study of religion – Christianity (2B) • Sources of wisdom and authority • God/gods/ultimate reality • Self, death and the afterlife • Good conduct and key moral principles • Expression of religious identity • Religion, gender and sexuality • Religion and science • Religion and secularisation • Religion and religious pluralism. Section B: The dialogue between philosophy of religion and religion. How religion is influenced by, and has an influence on philosophy of religion in relation to the issues studied. Section C: The dialogue between ethical studies and religion. How religion is influenced by, and has an influence on ethical studies in relation to the issues studied.
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