Unit 3 – The Search for Meaning (Code: RERS33)
Description
In this unit students study the purposes of religion generally and then consider the religious beliefs developed by a religious tradition or religious denomination in response to the big questions of life. Students study how particular beliefs within a religious tradition or religious denomination may be expressed through the other aspects of religion and explore how this is intended to foster meaning for adherents.
Students then consider the interaction between significant life experiences and religion.
The areas of study are:
• Responding to the search for meaning
• Expressing meaning
Outcomes
• Significant life experience, religious belief and faith.
• Explain the nature and purpose and expression of religious beliefs generally and for one or more than one religious tradition.
• Analyse the expressions of religious beliefs for continuity in religious traditions.
• Explain and draw conclusions about the interplay between religious beliefs and faith and significant life experiences
Assessment
• Short Answer Questions
• Extended Response Questions
• Analytical Case Study
Unit 4 – Religion, Challenge and Change (Code: RERS44)
Description
In this unit students explore challenges for religious traditions or religious denominations generally over time and then undertake a study of challenge and change for a religious tradition or religious denomination.
The areas of study are:
• Challenge and Response
• Interactions between Religion and Society
Outcomes
• Analyse and compare stances and supporting responses taken by religious traditions or religious denominations as they are challenged.
• Discuss the interactions within a religious tradition or religious denomination and between a religious tradition or religious denomination and wider society in relation to a significant challenge and evaluate the influence of the stances and responses on these interactions.
Assessment
• Analytical Report
• Analytical Essay
Units 3 and 4 Assessment
Unit 3 School-Assessed Coursework = 25%
Unit 4 School-Assessed Coursework = 25%
Written Examination = 50%
Text & Traditions
Unit 3 – Texts and the Early Tradition (Code: RETT33)
Description
The texts of a particular religious tradition are foundational in that they recount, for example, specific events, narratives, laws, prophetic pronouncements and teachings that describe the beginnings and initial development of a religious tradition. In this unit students explore the society and culture from which the religious tradition being studied was formed.
They develop an understanding of the historical background that influenced the texts themselves.
The areas of study are:
• The background of the tradition
• Audience, purposes and literary aspects of the set texts
• Interpreting texts
Outcomes
• Identify and explain sociocultural conditions and historical contexts that influenced the early development of the religious tradition.
• Discussion of major themes and analysis of the literary structure and
• the issues related to the writing of Luke’s Gospel.
• Application of methods to develop an interpretation of some of the passages for special study from Luke’s Gospel, including discussion of the nature of and challenges
Assessment
• Analytical Report
• Analytical Essay
Unit 4 – Texts and Their Teachings (Code: RETT44)
Description
This unit continues the work of Unit 3 in further developing exegetical skills for the interpretation of passages from Luke’s Gospel. The unit also examines significant religious ideas, beliefs and social themes as they are developed in Luke’s Gospel and as they came to be interpreted and reinterpreted in the later development of Christianity.
The areas of study are:
• Interpreting texts-Exegesis (Part 2)
• Religious themes and their teaching purpose.
• Themes in the later tradition and the later use of scripture.
Outcomes
• Apply exegetical methods to develop an interpretation of all of the passages for special study
• Discuss themes arising from the passages for special study and analyse their social, cultural, religious and historical context, and the importance of the themes to the original audience.
• Analyse and evaluate how a textual theme has been interpreted within the religious tradition at a later stage of history and understand how the text is used to justify the interpretation.
Units 3 and 4 Assessment
Unit 3 Coursework = 25%
Unit 4 Coursework = 25%
Written Examination = 50%