Religious Studies (RS)

Competencies

C1: Specialise

C2: Explain

C3: Analyse

C4: Evaluate

Course Overview

In Year 8 RS, students explore:

Myths, symbols and psyche: Mythography; Joseph Campbell- mythic symbols and the hero's journey; Jung and the psyche; Creation myths; The apocalypse.
Hinduism: Origins; Brahman and the Om; The trimurti and Shakti; The Samsra Cycle; Ashramadharma; Puja; the Varnas; Caste; Diwali. Students discover some of the many gods and goddesses of Hinduism through their Top Trumps research project.
Buddhism: The life and enlightenment of the Buddha; The Three Universal Truths and Four Noble Truths; The Eightfold Path; The Sangha; Schools of Buddhism; Bodhisattvas; Buddhism Around the World; Worship; Zen; Kung Fu and the Shaolin Temple. Religions of India reading project.
Sikhism: Guru Nanak; The 10 gurus; The Khalsa; The 5Ks; The Guru Granth Sahib; Sacred places; Sewa; Rites of passage.
Mini mindfulness unit, four lessons which explore: Present moment awareness; Recognising worry; Gratitude; Letting go.

Assessments

As in Year 7, students will be informally assessed throughout the year for their class and home work, marking will usually enlist the CHS Learning Habits. Students will have many opportunities to practise the various competencies. There are four formal assessments which are explicitly measured against the competencies. Each of these formal assessments takes the form of an extended written task and now that students are in Year 8, each is assessment closed book. The intention is to begin to encourage students to engage with revision strategies, to learn and experience how to learn information and recall it in low-stakes examination conditions. Students also practise revision and recall in low stakes knowledge audits as part of their homework schedule in RS.

Autumn: Mythography assessment. (Competencies 1-4)

Spring 1: Hinduism assessment. (Competencies 1-4)

Spring 2: Buddhism assessment. (Competencies 1-4)

Summer exam: Learning from the entire year is assessed. (Competencies 1-4)

Religious Studies and The Big Questions

Our Year 8 studies take us to three religions whose origins can be traced back to India. As such, the Big Question of "What can I learn from beyond the UK?" presents itself time and again; whether we examine these faiths from a theological, philosophical or sociological perspective, there is much to be learned about- and from- the cultures, beliefs and practices of these religions.

Staff Contact

Ms Rebecca Lothian (Head of Religious Studies)