Sixth Form > Our Pathways

Religious Studies

You will study various philosophical and ethical issues. These issues are studied from a diverse range of viewpoints, for example, from philosophers, sociologists, psychologists and scientists. You will critically assess these viewpoints with their strengths and weaknesses. The theories often question what others take for granted as obvious, without realising the holistic affects and links to other life issues.

Examination Board OCR

Specification Number H573 A

Sixth Form > Our Pathways

Religious Studies

You will study various philosophical and ethical issues. These issues are studied from a diverse range of viewpoints, for example, from philosophers, sociologists, psychologists and scientists. You will critically assess these viewpointswith their strengths and weaknesses. The theories often question what others take for granted as obvious, without realising the holistic affects and links to other life issues.

Examination Board OCR

Specification Number H573 A

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Course Overview
Entry Requirements
Assessment Information
Progression Route
How do I prepare?

Course Overview

Religious Studies is an academic subject which is well respected by many of the more traditional universities.

Studying philosophy and ethics is to study the whole of human life: where we come from, where we’re going and everything in between. The course involves not taking things at face value, arguing and discussing issues which affect us all and researching the works of many famous and world-renowned scholars, such as Plato, Socrates and Aristotle. In ethics, you will cover dilemmas including how to live a good life, our rights and responsibilities, the language of right and wrong and moral decisions.

If you are the type of person who enjoys questioning everything that you have been told, debating and discussing, and considering why people hold certain beliefs and ideals then Religious Studies may be ideal for you. It is a step up from GCSE Religious Studies, studying topics in greater depth and with more discussion. However, you can study A level if you have not completed the GCSE course.

Unit 1: Philosophy

How do I know what is real?
How does my mind and body link?
Do I have a soul?
Does God exist?
Why is there evil?
Religious experience-tricks of the mind?
Am I really free?
Is it even possible to talk about religion?

Unit 2: Ethics

Ethical theories-should I just look after the majority?
Should I just do the loving thing?
Do I have a duty or purpose?
Euthanasia-do we have the right to do what we want with our own bodies?
Can an ethical business exist?
Are words such as good and bad meaningless?
Why should we feel any guilt?
Should sexual behaviour be private?

Unit 3: Study of a religion

Can humans ever be good?
Does heaven and hell exist?
Could I ever really know a God?
Was Jesus just a political liberator?
Is love enough?
Should I practise civil disobedience?
Will all good people be saved?
Can a loving God send us to hell? Why have we become secular?
Has religion undermined gender equality?
Should religion change or be abandoned?
Feminism and capitalism-a lie nation or exploitation?

Course Leader of Religious Studies

Miss Kooner

Entry Requirements

Sixth Form Entry Criteria:

A minimum of 5 9-5 GCSE grades, which must include a grade 5 or above in either English Language or English Literature.

Special Entry Requirements:

GCSE Religious Studies 5+ (if studied)

Students must be prepared to work long hours outside lesson time to regularly review the topics covered.

English Language or English Literature 5

Religious Studies 5

Assessment Information

Assessment	Topic Area	Duration	Value
Paper 1	Philosophy of Religion	2 hour written exam	33.3%
Paper 2	Religion and Ethics	2 hour written exam	33.3%
Paper 3	Developments in Christian Thought	2 hour written exam	33.3%

Assessment:

In all three exams, you pick three essay questions to answer from a choice of four in each exam.

There is no coursework.

Progression Route

This subject is widely accepted for a wide range of academic routes leading to careers in Social Services, Law, Teaching and Lecturing, Public Relations, Journalism and Counselling.

The study of philosophy and ethics is universally desirable due to the skills that it cultivates. Specific links can be made to English, history, sociology and psychology.

Some career examples: Law, politics, medicine, business, marketing, crime prevention, social work and education.

How do I prepare?

Download Wider Reading List for Religious Studies