Religious Studies

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When students join us in year 9 they embark upon a compulsory R.E course which leads to a short course GCSE qualification in ‘Religion and Citizenship’ at the end of year 10 .At the end of year 9 students have the option of choosing the more enriching and dynamic full course which is exclusively RE in content.

(1) The G.C.S.E. option full course

This course provides the opportunity to examine and form personal views and opinions about contemporary social and moral issues. The course develops the skill of analysis and debate, along with the skill of understanding the wide diversity of views and opinions that exist within our Global Community. These skills are highly valued in a range of careers such as a Doctor or Nurse, Lawyer, Police, Military, Counselling and Social Work. It is not necessary to have a personal religious commitment in order to follow the course but rather an enquiring mind. (The course is composed of the following disciplines which lead into A-Level Religious Studies: Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology andHistory.) The course is interesting, challenging and rewarding and consists of two modules.

MODULE ONE – RELIGION AND LIFE ISSUES
Topics Covered:
----Religion and Animal Rights (religious views on animal rights; the ethics of animal experiments; genetic modification, cloning etc
----Religion and Prejudice (types of prejudice; concepts of justice, tolerance and harmony; Martin Luther King and Desmond Tutu and and their Christian beliefs)
----Religion and Early Life (the sanctity of life; when does life begin? abortion, adoption, fostering, adoption and the religious and ethical issues)
----Religion, War and Peace (concpets of peace and justice; causes of war; religious believers and pacifism; religious and ethical issues connected with these )

MODULE TWO – RELIGION AND MORALITY
Topics Covered:
----Religious Attitudes to Matters of Life (human genetic engineering; stem cell research; fertility treatments etc and the religious and ethical implications of these)
----Religious Attitudes to the Elderly and Death (caring for the elderly; ethical and legal issues concerning euthanasia and death etc)
----Religious Attitudes to Crime and Punishment (concepts of right and wrong; causes of crime; aims of punishment and the religious and ethical implications of these)
----Religious Attitudes to World Poverty (understanding poverty; issues of world trade; religious organisations which help; ethical and religious implications of justice and equality etc)

• It is important to note that you must choose this Full Course G.C.S.E. on your preference sheet. It is different from the general Religious Education course started in year 9

Pattern of Assessment
The scheme of assessment is modular and therefore flexible. There is no coursework. One assessment unit is taken at the end of Year 10, the other to be taken at the end of Year 11. There is the option of sitting both papers at the end of Year 11. Each paper is 50% of the total mark

Examination Board: AQA
Enquiries to: Mr M Kittay, Head of Religious Studies (E6)

(2) The GCSE short course
The ‘Religious Studies and Citizenship’ short course provides experience and knowledge relevant to a wide choice of careers. It is regarded by employers and places of Further and Higher Education as a useful qualification in two ways: it stimulates mental curiosity and understanding of the basic nature and purpose of the world and it encourages mature social and moral attitudes in young people. In addition, this awareness of national and global issues developed during the course is a positive asset during a personal interview. This general course is a different course from the Full Course option. You MUST choose the full course Religious Studies option on your option form if you wish to do it

Issues Covered:
----Religion and Relationships
----Religion and Work
----Religion and the Multicultural Society
----Religion and Human Rights

Pattern of assessment:

One assessment taken at the end of the course of study – a 1 hour 50 mins length examination.

There is NO coursework in this subject.

Exam Board: AQA Enquiries: Mr. Kittay (R.E) /Mrs Hassett (Citizenship)

For more details of these courses please speak to one of the Religious Studies teachers or go to www.aqa.org.uk and find Religious Studies