Religious Studies

Philosophy and Ethics

A Level AQA 7062

Why study Religion, Philosophy and Ethics?

This A Level encourages students to:

  • develop an interest and enthusiasm for a rigorous study of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

  • treat the subject as an academic discipline by developing knowledge and understanding

  • evaluate the ideas studied and apply them to your own experience and the wider world

  • use an enquiring, critical and empathetic approach to the study of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

Destinations for AHS students who studied this subject are on display outside the subject classrooms

AHS students can use Unifrog to explore how this subject might be used in life after A Levels

Entry Requirements

A 6 in Religious Studies GCSE is a requirement if you have taken it. Alternatively a 6 in another Humanities GCSE. A lively interest in the study of ideas and human motivation and a willingness to enquire into and analyse concepts and ideas which differ from your own. Also a willingness to discuss your own and others' ideas.

Special features of the course

This course is stimulating, challenging and thought-provoking. You will acquire skills that will aid you in a wide range of Higher Education courses and throughout life. The focus on medical ethics throughout the course makes it valuable for those applying for Medicine or Law degrees, as well as many others.

Costs

There are no additional costs

Where can I find out more?

See Mrs Knight or Miss Condon or email Mrs Knight on kknight@ahs.bucks.sch.uk

Have a look at the subject presentation here

How is the course organised?

There are 4 modules of study, all assessed by written papers. There is a greater emphasis being placed on evaluation rather than on the learning of a large amount of facts.

Philosophy

  • Arguments for the existence of God;

  • Evil and suffering;

  • Religious experience.

  • Religious language;

  • Miracles;

  • Self, death and the afterlife.

Religion and Ethics

  • Ethical theories;

  • Issues of human life and death;

  • Issues of animal life and death;

  • Introduction to meta ethics;

  • Free will and moral responsibility;

  • Conscience;

  • Bentham and Kant.

Christianity

  • God/Ultimate Reality;

  • Sources of wisdom and authority;

  • The challenge from science;

  • The challenge of secularisation

  • Self, death and the afterlife

  • Key moral principles;

  • Religious identity;

  • Religion, gender and sexuality

  • Religion, migration and religious pluralism;

Dialogues

There is very little new content to learn for this final section, instead it is exploring the dialogue between Religion and Ethics and Religion and Philosophy; how they influence, and are influenced by, the other disciplines.

Assessment

Two papers: written exams, 3 hours each consisting of all essay style questions.