Philosophy and Ethics (Religious Studies)

STATEMENT OF INTENT 

Religious Studies students at Charters School are interested and motivated by events, people and beliefs. As part of a local and wider community they are up to date with news and current affairs. They read and learn about issues as well as learning from them. Pupils engage in dialogue and debate and enjoy critical thinking. Pupils study a wide multi-faith curriculum debating current affairs with thought-provoking topics.

This means:

• Students will appreciate the significance of holy places, beliefs, traditions and culture around the world.
• They will be able to identify, analyse and evaluate different interpretations of the past and reach a balanced and reasoned judgement. Places of Worship, Religion & the Media.
• They will be able to confidently articulate their understanding of the past both in academic writing as well as through debate and discussion. Sanctity of Life, Science & Ethics.
• They will appreciate the ethnic and cultural diversity of our community and thereby become inclusive members of our society. Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice.
• Through reading and writing, they will develop a critical and enquiring mind, which appreciates the impact of individual endeavour and shows empathy with the past. Global Issues, Interfaith Dialogue.

SUMMARY OF CURRICULUM

A level Religious Studies Students follow the OCR syllabus. Students will take a historical approach to Philosophy and will consider different lines of argument from a variety of thinkers. Key thinkers from Plato, Aristotle, Mill and Kant are studied with contemporary contributions from Peter Singer and a variety of religious groups. The A level requires students study and develop the skills of knowledge and understanding with critical argument. Students are encourage to engage themselves fully in class discussion and involve themselves with current political and philosophical debate. Listening is an important skill in discussion and a variety of podcasts and discussions are considered along with the reading of classic texts to give students a varied approach to this interesting course.

COURSE DETAILS

Component 01: Philosophy of Religion

Students study philosophical language and thought, and issues and questions raised by belief:

• Ancient philosophical influences
• The nature of the soul, mind and body
• Arguments about the existence or non-existence of God
• The nature and impact of religious experience
• The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil
• Ideas about the nature of God
• Issues in religious language

Component 02: Religion and Ethics

Students explore key concepts and the works of influential thinkers, ethical theories and their application:

• Normative ethical theories
• The application of ethical theory to two issues: business ethics and medical ethics
• Ethical language and thought
• Debates surrounding the significant idea of conscience
• Sexual ethics and the influence on ethical thought of developments in religious beliefs

Component 03: Developments in Religious Thought, Christianity

Students explore:

• Religious beliefs, values and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and in the contemporary world
• Sources of religious wisdom and authority
• Practices which shape and express religious identity, and how these vary within a tradition
• Significant social and historical developments in theology and religious thought
• Key themes related to the relationship between religion and society
   

KEY STAGE 5 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The minimum entry requirements for Charters Sixth Form can be viewed here

EXAM BOARD: OCR

BE INSPIRED

Take a look around the links below to find our where this exciting subject could lead.