Religious Studies
Aims
Religious Studies deals with the ultimate questions of the meaning and purpose of our existence, whether there is life after death and how can we know whether anything is true. RS comprises Philosophy, Ethics and world religions and the subject touches on all aspects of our lives. We aim to help our pupils to achieve and develop an understanding of the diverse views people hold within particular cultures and religions so enabling them to take their place in society. RS is taught in a non-indoctrinatory way and does not assume that pupils hold to any particular religion or belief system. Pupils are trained to think for themselves as well as to appreciate the views of others. At all stages the RS department seeks to develop pupils academically through things such as essay writing and research skills.
Key Stage 3
The Department aims to introduce pupils to some of the key teachings of the six major world religions, though in support of the Church ethos of the school, Christianity will be the main feature. Pupils are not simply presented with facts about the major religions: rather they are encouraged to develop thinking skills to understand and evaluate ethical, moral and spiritual concepts.
GCSE
Religious Studies is an option at GCSE. Pupils study the OCR board Religious Studies B examination (Philosophy and Ethics). In accordance with the specification both Philosophy and Ethics are taught through the medium of Christianity. This is a challenging course which involves pupils working towards understanding the world we live in and formulating their own opinions concerning philosophical and ethical issues. Following this course enables pupils to study and explore what people believe about God, authority, worship, values and truth. Pupils are encouraged to think, talk, discuss, question, challenge and reflect upon a wide range of topics. Study in Year 10 is devoted to the study of some of the following ethical topics:
- Relationships
- Medical Ethics
- Poverty and Wealth
- Peace and Justice
- Equality
- Deity
- Religious and Spiritual Experience
- End of Life
- Good and Evil
- Revelation
- Religion and Science
AS and A Level
We are pleased to see pupils progress from the GCSE course to the AS/A Level GCE Religious Studies course. Universities and employers acknowledge the relevance of Pphilosophy and Eethics as challenging subjects which help pupils to develop their critical and analytical skills. The subject encourages pupils to respond to ultimate questions considering the views of philosophers whilst forming their own views and opinions.
In the Philosophy of Religion component Year 12 study:
- Ancient Greek and Judaeo-Christian influences on the Philosophy of Religion
- Traditional Arguments for the Existence of God
- Religion and Science
- The Problem of Evil
- Ethical Theories: Natural Law; Kantian
- Utilitarianism;
- Religious Ethics.
- Applied Ethics: Abortion; Euthanasia; Genetic Engineering;
- War and Peace
- The Nature of Religious Language
- Religious Experience
- The Nature of God
- Life, Death and the Soul
- Meta-ethics
- Free will and Determinism
- The Nature and Role of Conscience;
- Virtue Ethics
- Applied Ethics (Environment and Business Ethics, Sexual Ethics)
Facilities and Resources
The Department has its own dedicated classroom where most class teaching takes place and all resources are stored. The Department holds a stock of religious artefacts, text books, revision booklets, flash cards, videos and DVDs which are used to enhance the teaching. There is also a growing RS departmental library with a range of books on world religions, Philosophy and Ethics suitable for all stages of study from Year 7 even up to some graduate level books.
Extra Curricular
The Christian Union is a faith based lunch time activity for pupils interested in learning more about Christianity. Classical Hebrew is an opportunity for pupils to learn an ancient Biblical language and deepen their subject knowledge of RS. This also is a lunchtime activity.
Staffing
- Mr M T Haughton BA, International Christian College, MA, PGCE
