Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies - Higher

Vale of Leven Academy

The course encourages active learning in the process of investigating religious, moral and philosophical topics or issues. Through the course as a whole, candidates take a broad overview of the beliefs, values or viewpoints of more than one religion. Candidates develop and apply a range of cognitive skills over a range of religious, moral and philosophical contexts in three areas of study: world religion, morality and belief, and religious and philosophical questions.

The Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies course has three areas of study.

The areas of study are:

World Religion

The world religion at Higher is Sikhism. In this section Candidates must:

• show in-depth knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs and practices
• analyse the relationship between different religious beliefs; the relationship between religious beliefs and practices; and the purpose of living according to religious beliefs and practices
• evaluate the significance, relevance and impact of religious beliefs and practices

Candidates do not need to learn specific sources for each religious belief and practice. However, they can use examples of sources that inform beliefs and practices where appropriate. Candidates answer questions in the context of a denomination or tradition within the religion chosen for study. This includes knowledge and understanding of differences in practices and related beliefs within the religion or tradition studied. Course content includes:

Beliefs

• beliefs about God
• nature of human beings: atma; free will; karma; equality
• beliefs about maya and haumai; the Five Evils
• Gurmukh; Jivan Mukti

Practices

• living according to the Gurus
• Khalsa
• worship: sewa and simran; kirt karna; vand chakkana

Morality and Belief

The topic in this section of the Higher RMPS course is Religion, Medicine and the Human Body. In this section Candidates must:

• show in-depth knowledge and understanding of moral issues
• analyse religious and non-religious responses to moral issues
• evaluate religious and non-religious responses to moral issues

Candidates answer questions in the context of a denomination or tradition within the religious responses. They apply the skills of analysing and evaluating as described in the ‘Course assessment’ section of this document. Course content includes:

Use of embryos

• reproductive
• therapeutic
• research

Organ donation

• consent: informed; presumed
• beating heart donation
• living donors

End of life

• assisted dying
• voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia
• end-of-life care

Religious and Philosophical Questions

Candidates study the issues raised by religious and philosophical questions, their implications and responses by studying one question and responses to it. Content includes:

Origins - Was the universe and life created?

• How does religion explain the origins of the universe and of life?
• What evidence does religion use to support these explanations?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of evidence/explanations?
• How does science explain the origins of the universe and of life?
• What evidence does science use to support these explanations?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of evidence/explanations?
• Can religious and scientific views on origins be compatible?

Question paper 1 - 60 marks

This question paper assesses the skills of applying in-depth knowledge and understanding, analysing and evaluating religious, moral and philosophical questions and presenting reasoned and well-structured views. This question paper has 60 marks out of a total of 110 marks for the course assessment. T

This question paper has two sections.

Section 1: World Religion has 30 marks

Section 2: morality and belief has 30 marks

This question paper is set and marked by SQA, and conducted in centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA. Candidates have 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete this question paper.

Question paper 2 - 20 marks

This question paper assesses the skills of applying in-depth knowledge and understanding, analysing and evaluating religious, moral and philosophical questions and presenting reasoned and well-structured views. This question paper has 20 marks out of a total of 110 marks for the course assessment.

Section 1: Religious and philosophical questions has 20 marks

This question paper is set and marked by SQA, and conducted in centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA. Candidates have 45 minutes to complete this question paper.

Assignment - 30 marks

The assignment has 30 marks out of a total of 110 marks for the course assessment.

Candidates identify an issue of religious, moral or philosophical significance on which there are a range of viewpoints. They choose a question based on this issue, research the issue and gather sources relevant to their question.

Candidates then draw upon the skills of knowledge and understanding, analysis and evaluation to produce an extended piece of writing in response to their question. Candidates work on their research with minimal support from their teacher or lecturer.

The assignment is set by centres within SQA guidelines and is conducted under some supervision and control. SQA provides a brief for the generation of evidence to be assessed. Candidates have an open choice of topic/issue to research. The assignment is submitted to SQA for marking. All marking is quality assured by SQA. The write-up of the assignment is completed:

• within 1 hour and 30 minutes
• using the RMPS resource sheet
• in time to meet a submission date set by SQA
• independently by the candidate
• when the candidate is ready Assessment conditions

The assignment has two stages:

• research
• write-up

Candidates undertake the research stage at any appropriate point in the course. This will normally be when they have developed the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding. The research stage is designed to be completed over a notional period of 8 hours. Candidates undertake the write-up in time to meet the submission date set by SQA. The write-up must be completed within 1 hour and 30 minutes.