Overview

You will develop your ability to evaluate different beliefs and opinions and put forward an effective argument. 

You will interpret and apply religious teachings and non-religious philosophical principles such as utilitarianism to a range of current issues like abortion, the death penalty and human rights. 

You will learn to understand how beliefs (religious and non-religious) affect the actions of individuals and consider the effects on society. 

You will develop a deeper understanding of two religions (Christianity and Islam) that between them represent over half of humanity. 

Topics covered

Religious Studies is a rigorous academic subject that teaches students skills in analysis, evaluation and persuasive writing. The subject covers the main World Religions of Christianity and Islam and also asks students to consider a wide range of Philosophical and Ethics topics and concepts. Religious Studies at GCSE is thought provoking, interesting and an insightful subject to study at GCSE.

We look at issues that affect everyone and ask the sort of questions many of you will be already asking yourselves.

• Should we go to war?

• Is abortion murder?

• Should we help people in pain to die?

• Should divorcees be allowed to remarry in church?

• Can it ever be right to end a life even for the most serious crimes?

When we study Christianity as a world religion, we discover why people want their children baptised, examine Christmas as a religious or commercial festival; discover why Christians pray and assess how effective they think it is. What is Pilgrimage?

We also study a number of contemporary moral issues including racism, abortion, crime and punishment, war and peace, divorce, and medical technology.  These topics always lead to heated debates!

Religious Studies teaches students to evaluate important moral issues by examining different viewpoints and gives students the skills to draw informed opinions.

The subject is not only widely accepted but welcomed as an entry qualification for further and higher education courses.  It develops a wide range of skills, including those essential for enquiry, interpretation, reasoning, evaluation and communication.

Why Study Religious Studies?

Students who take Religious Studies show better than average abilities in reading and writing – skills that are essential in life. 

Assessments

FAQs

· Where could GCSE Religous Studies take me?

• The skills acquired in GCSE RS will be especially useful for those aiming to study RS further, or Philosophy, Psychology, Literature, Sociology, Politics, Literature, History, Law, or Medicine, among other subjects.

•  An open-minded and informed approach to different beliefs and cultures is valued in almost any career that involves working with others and interacting with the general public, e.g. the NHS, police, armed forces, local government, education, etc.

•  An understanding of people and ability to evaluate different opinions and clearly articulate your own will be useful in careers in law, journalism, politics, business or management.