Religious Studies (A Level)

In essence, Religious Studies A Level seeks to look for answers to problems in today's uncertain world. The questions that philosophy, religion and ethics investigates are the most profound questions that we can ask. They investigate the deepest aspects of what it means to be human. Are we simply animals that have evolved, or do we have a spiritual dimension that will survive the death of our bodies? Does God exist in reality or is God a product of our minds? What can we know about the world we live in, and is certainty important? Is there one moral code for all people to live by, or is right and wrong ‘simply’ a matter of culture?

What you will learn

The skills developed in this A Level include logical reasoning, analysis of different opinions, problem-solving and investigation of philosophical and ethical ideas. The subject is ideally suited to those students who have enjoyed ethical debates about real-life right and wrong scenarios, exploring the ‘big’ questions about life and its origins and are interested in religious and secular opinions and world views.

How you will learn

Independent skills are strongly encouraged and these will be needed throughout the course. Classes will be taught using a range of methods including reading and analysing theories, discussion work in pairs or groups. Students must also be able to write essays. These skills will be developed throughout the course.

Year 1

Paper 1:

• Ancient philosophical influences: Plato & Aristotle
• The nature of the soul, mind and body & life after death
• 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

Paper 2:

• Normative ethical theories: Natural Law, Situation Ethics, Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics
• The application of ethical theory to Euthanasia & Business Ethics

Paper 3:

• Beliefs, teachings and ideas about human life, the world and ultimate reality
• Death & the afterlife
• Knowledge of God’s existence
• The person of Jesus Christ
• Christian Moral Principles & Moral Action including the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Year 2

Paper 1:

• Ideas and philosophical questions raised about the nature of God
• 20th Century perspectives on Language including Logical Positivism

Paper 2:

• Ethical language and thought on what ‘good’ means
• Debates surrounding what the conscience is including the views of Aquinas & Freud
• Sexual ethics and the influence on ethical thought of developments in religious beliefs.

Paper 3:

• Religious pluralism & theology
• Religious pluralism & Society
• Gender and society
• Gender and theology
• The challenge of secularism
• Liberation Theology & Karl Marx

Assessment 1: Philosophy of Religion, written exam, 2 hours, 33.3% of final grade

You will be required to answer 3 essays in the exam which are worth 40 marks each. This exam will involve the content of Paper 1.

Assessment 2: Religion and Ethics, written exam, 2 hours, 33.3% of final grade

You will be required to answer 3 essays in the exam which are worth 40 marks each. This exam will involve the content of Paper 2.

Assessment 3: Developments in Religious Thought, written exam, 2 hours, 33.3% of final grade

You will be required to answer 3 essays in the exam which are worth 40 marks each. This exam will involve the content of Paper 3.

College minimum entry requirements plus:

• Grade 5 English

Where Next?

Religious Studies is a highly regarded subject, offering a wide range of future career possibilities. As a traditional academic subject, it is well regarded by universities to support an application in any of the arts subjects, as well as being a good supporting subject for many other subject areas. It is also a suitable choice for underpinning applications for employment and apprenticeships due to the widely applicable nature of the subject content to modern day life.

Russell Group Informed Choices booklet cites RS A Level as useful for students wishing to study: English, History, History of Art, Law, Politics, and Philosophy degrees.