Humanities

Course

Religious Studies

Overview

The course is designed to enable students to understand the nature of religious beliefs and practices and the importance and influence of these in the lives of believers. We teach a multi-faith syllabus and is designed to take into account the needs of the pupils form a variety of religious backgrounds or, no religious background at all.

How will I be assessed

End of topic assessment once a term.

What will I learn

Students will learn about Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, and non-religious worldviews about the themes below:

• Should happiness be the purpose of life?
• Why is there suffering?
• How can people express the spiritual through art and music?
• Is death the end?
• Citizenship
• Critical thinking

Skills and Knowledge

Students will develop their ability to enquire into significant human questions which religion and worldviews address.

Students will develop their understanding and skills needed to appreciate and evaluate varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own.

Students are taught skills to enhance their debating skills as well as developing empathy.

Students will develop their literacy skills.

Further Support

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zkdk382

Course

AQA GCSE Religious Studies: Short Course

Overview

This qualification is designed for pupils who want to be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose, and truth, enabling them to develop their own values and attitudes towards religious issues. Students will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture.

How will I be assessed

Section A: The study of religions: beliefs and teachings of two religions:

• Christianity

• Islam

Section B: Thematic studies: religious, philosophical, and ethical studies:

• Theme A: Relationships and families

• Theme B: Religion, peace, and conflict

100% of GCSE Short course = 1 written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes.

96 marks, plus 6 marks for spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG).

Questions range from 1 mark answers all the way to 12 mark answers.

What will I learn

Section A: Beliefs and teachings in Christianity:

• The nature of God
• Different Christian beliefs about creation
• Different Christian beliefs about the afterlife
• The incarnation and Jesus Christ as the son of God
• The crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus
• Sin and salvation 

Section A: Beliefs and teachings in Islam:

• The six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and five roots of ‘Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam
• The Oneness of God (Tawhid)
• Angels, their nature and role, including Jibril and Mika’il
• Life after death (Akhirah), human responsibility and accountability, resurrection, heaven and hell
• The holy books
• The imamate in Shi'a Islam

Section B, Theme A: Relationships and families:

• Contraception, sexual relationships before marriage and homosexual relationships
• Sex, marriage, and divorce
• Families and gender equality

Section B, Theme B: Religion, peace, and conflict:

• Violence, weapons of mass destruction and pacifism
• Religion, violence, terrorism, and war
• Religion and belief in 21st century conflict

Skills and Knowledge

Students will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas, leadership and research skills. Students are given the opportunity to debate issues such as the purpose of marriage as well as developing understanding of secular and religious responses to same sex relationships, divorce, and other themes. Throughout the course, students will develop their literacy skills.

Further Support

Revision website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zjgx47h

Exam practice work book: https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/gcse/humanities/religious-studies/raq41-grade-9-1-gcse-religious-studies-aqa-a-exam

Revision guide: https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/gcse/humanities/religious-studies/rar41-grade-9-1-gcse-religious-studies-aqa-a-revis