13RES - RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Studying Religious Studies at Level 3 will help you develop an understanding, knowledge, and skills of understanding the wider cultural context of our global community.  By studying Religious Studies, you will learn about Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism and how these traditions have impacted the wider world and shaped civilizations, governments, laws, and ethics.  Studying World Religions will contribute to your developing sense of global citizenship, identity, and your understanding of the world. 

Year 13 Religious Studies aims to give an understanding of some of the fundamental principles underlying major world Religions and how these religions have impacted historical and contemporary ethics.  Students will engage in texts relating to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism , Buddhism and Judaism

• Abrahamic Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam.  What are the foundational principles of these Abrahamic Religions and how are they different?  How have the foundational principles of these religions influenced ethical discussions? As a student, you will immerse yourself in key passages of the Torah, New Testament, and the Qur’an. 

• Buddhism: How does a foundational principle of emptiness and nihilism transform into a religious practice?  Here we will look at the life of the Buddha and unpack the 4 noble truths and the 8 steps of the eightfold path to enlightenment.  

• Hinduism: How the founding principles of Hinduism, (Dharma, Karma, Moksha, and Brahman guide) the understanding of life, death, and the universe, aiming to achieve liberation and enlightenment. 

You will delve into key passages of the Buddha’s 5 precepts, the Torah and the Talmud, the Old and New Testament, and the Qur’an to better understand the religious foundations of these major religions.  You will be using hypothesis and inquiry to analyse how these texts and foundational teachings have had an impact on our world, and in what way the difference of observing these religions has impacted global citizenship.  You will look at contemporary ethical debates that are ongoing in our world, and compare through the different religious lenses how these ethical dilemmas are approached.  You will also engage with secondary texts from religious leaders over time to help broaden the understanding of how a religion transfers from a primary text, to observance, and how this changes overtime alongside civilization.

For the NCEA component, you will sit three achievement standards as follows:

Internals

This course is assessed using a mixture of 3 internally assessed standards each worth 6 Reading Credits.  If required, and in consultation with your academic dean, you may also submit work to be marked against the English Writing Portfolio standard for 6 Writing Credits; this option will be available to students who need the required writing credits only. 

3.1- Analyse the meanings in a sacred text within a religious tradition (6 credits)

3.3- Examine the response of a religious tradition to a contemporary ethical issue. (6 Credits)

3.4- Analyse with perception the key beliefs of a religious tradition and a secular worldview in relation to ultimate questions (6 credits)

The Internally Assessed standards will require you to examine a religious tradition, a religious text, and a religious worldview respectfully. 

NZQA History Subject Resources

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/history/levels/

School Policy for NCEA Assessment

You should be aware of the school procedures for NCEA assessment.  They can be found on the school website at this link. There you will find answers to frequently asked questions about how NCEA works as well as guidance about how to apply for extensions, reconsiderations or the process for withdrawing from a standard.