RELIGIOUS STUDIES (OCR)

Philosophy of Religion with Religious Ethics

Religious studies is a course which is challenging, open-ended and discursive.  It is for students who value the opportunity to explore in some depth real issues concerning human life and existence and it is not reliant upon any specific faith or belief system. 

The aim of the OCR course is to:
· develop an interest in and an enthusiasm for a rigorous study of religion
· treat the subject as an academic discipline by developing knowledge and understanding appropriate to a specialist study of religion
· use an enquiring, critical and empathetic approach to the study of religion

We will be studying the following areas:

At AS
· Unit 2760 A Foundation for the study of Religion e.g. Plato and Aristotle, concept of the Good, body/soul.  Judaeo-Christian influences on religious philosophy – concept of God.  Introduction to ethical theory.
· Unit 2761 Philosophy of Religion 1 e.g. Is there a God?  The problem of evil.  The challenges of psychology and sociology to religious belief.
· Unit 2762 Religious Ethics 1 e.g. Good and bad, right and wrong, motives and consequences.  Practical ethics – medical ethics.

These units are assessed through structured questions in the examinations.  Each paper is 1 hour long (2 structured questions per paper).

At A2
· Unit 2771  Philosophy of Religion 2 e.g. Mind and body, life after death, revelation, religious language.
· Unit 2772  Religious Ethics 2 e.g. freewill and determinism, conscience, ethical theory.  Applied ethics – war and peace, sexual ethics, environmental ethics.
· Unit 2791  Connections in Religious Studies – connecting work in Religious Studies to specified aspects of human experience.

These units are assessed through essay style questions in the examinations.  Each paper is 1 hour 30 minutes long and the quality of the students’ written communication will be very important.

Students will be required to look at the writings of philosophers and theologians and recognise the contribution they have made to the fields of philosophy and ethics.  They will learn to present and evaluate different viewpoints and be encouraged to debate, discuss and think through the issues raised.  During the course students will be given the opportunity to participate in day conferences related to the subject areas being studied and they will be encouraged to relate their learning to current affairs and issues.

For further syllabus information Click here


Mrs C Chalstrey, BA (Hons), PGCE