Religious Studies

Welcome to Religious Studies in the Sixth Form at CHS

Hello! I'm Ms Lothian, Head of Religion, Philosophy and Theology here at CHS.

Our Religious Studies A-Level offers you the opportunity to grapple with some of the most challenging and complex questions raised both through history and by cutting edge issues arising here in the 21st century. Alongside philosophy and ethics we study the biggest religion on the planet; Christianity.

The following Components are taught across Year 12 and Year 13.

We teach some Philosophy, some Ethics and some Christianity across both years. This means that, firstly, you have a varied experience, and, secondly, we can weave learning together from across the units.

We examine how the Church is applying ancient teaching to the latest moral dilemmas- from the environment to scientific advances, from the rights of women to the LGBTQ+ movement. We consider the place of the Church in the UK as our society becomes increasingly diverse and, arguably, secularised.

We follow the AQA 7062 Specification.

Component One

Philosophy of religion and ethics

Philosophy

Arguments for the existence of God (Year 12)

Evil and suffering (Year 12)

Religious experience (Year 12)

Religious language (Year 13)

Miracles (Year 12)

Self, death and the after life (Year 13)

Ethics

Normative ethical theories and their application to matters of life and death (animal and human) (Year 12)

Meta-ethics- the meaning of right and wrong (Year 13)

Free will and moral responsibility (Year 13)

Conscience (Year 12)

Bentham and Kant (Year 12)

Component 2

Study of Christianity and dialogues

The study of Christianity

Sources of wisdom and authority (Year 12)

God (Year 12)

Self, death and the after life (Year 13)

Good conduct and key moral principles (Year 12)

Expression of religious identity (Year 12)

Religion, gender and sexuality (Year 13)

Religion and science (Year 13)

Religion and secularisation (Year 12)

Religion and religious pluralism (Year 13)

Dialogues (All Year 13 but built upon through out the course)

Christianity and philosophy: How far belief is reasonable; How meaningful statements of faith are, and for whom; How coherent beliefs are, and how consistent they are; The relevance of philosophical enquiry for religious faith.

Christianity and ethics: How Christianity relates to the ethical schools of thought and ethical issues explored: the issues of human life and death and issues of animal life and death; theft and lying; marriage and divorce; homosexuality and transgender issues; genetic engineering.

AQA Exam Specification

RS trip to Rome - Discovering more about Catholic Christianity

Want to discover more about the kind topics we explore at A-Level?

Check out the YouTube channel Crash Courses in Philosophy and watch a few that take your interest...

FAQs

Why should I choose an A-Level in Religious Studies?

To study RS is to question the heart of what it means to be human. In philosophy we will examine some of the most profound, challenging, and, perhaps, impossible questions about the nature of life, its meaning, and our place in the universe. In ethics we will ask vital questions for the 21st century- questions raised by advancing technologies (e.g. the value of the embryo when examining fertility treatments) and rapidly evolving moral norms (e.g. what are the moral implications raised by campaigns from the LGBTQ+ community).

For our study of religion, we have chosen to examine Christianity. From the shifting power of the Vatican, to the protestant reformation, to the thriving "Bible Belt" of America, the impact of Christianity is immeasurable. Just consider it's influence through history and today on politics, power, societal structures, bioethics, education systems, monarchy (the list goes on...). By taking a closer look at the largest religion on the planet you will better understand the nuanced myriad ways Christianity has responded and reformed itself over the years and continues to do so today.

Where can an A-Level in RS take me?

As set out in the introductory video- RS can take you anywhere- to any subject and to any career! To name a few possibilities:

The skills of careful, critical analysis and precise writing lend themselves to careers in journalism or the law.

Often aspiring medical students choose RS to better understand the ethical complications of their intended career.

Increasingly, students are choosing to read a combination of Physics and Philosophy at university, due to the marriage between the metaphysical and abstract thinking nurtured by philosophy into topics such as spacetime, infinity, determinism and the quantum.

Philosophy can be combined with so many degree level subjects the choice really is yours; from the philosophy of literature (Why do we get emotionally involved in fiction? Are fictional characters created or discovered?) , to the meaning of language (What is the difference between "this and "that"? Can we have meaningful discussion of that we cannot prove, or even define, such as God?). From the philosophy of art (what qualifies as "beautiful"? Would the Mona Lisa still have meaning if humanity stopped existing?), to political philosophy (is the greatest good for the greatest number really that great?)...

As you can see one of the joys of a training in thinking philosophically is that you can turn your enquiring mind to any area of society and get questioning!

Are there any GCSE requirements?

No. You do not need to have studied RS at GCSE, nor do you need any particular grades. This said, if you have studied RS at GCSE it will be helpful to you, but it is not essential. Every year we have happy and successful students who have not taken RS at GCSE.

Are there lots of essays?

The Religious Studies at A-Level exam is based on essay style questions. As such, over the two years, you will write practise exam style essays in order to be confident and give of your best in the exam! There is no course work, and so the essays that you will write are only ever as long as that which you would write under exam conditions.

Besides, and much more importantly, the skills that you will learn from writing philosophical essays are invaluable: you will learn how to structure logical arguments, how to analyse critically, how to counter argue perceptively and how to present justified and considered conclusions... all vital skills for so many areas of higher education and work! We are rigorous in our approach to teaching the craft of philosophical argument and you will be a formidable writer by the end of the course.

The Religious Studies Team

Rebecca Lothian | Head of Department - rebeccalothian@chschool.co.uk
Charlotte Nixey
Sadie Norris
Rosie Jackson
Helen Firth

Please contact our Head of Department if you have any further questions.

Report abuse