Religious Studies

Edexcel Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Religious Studies (8RS01) First examination 2009 (Philosophy and Ethics)
Edexcel Advanced GCE in Religious Studies (Philosophy and Ethics) (9RS01) First examination 2010

This specification is designed to encourage an interest in and enthusiasm for a rigorous study of Philosophy and Ethics. It will enable students to develop insight into areas of knowledge, belief and thought central to an understanding of the modern world. Through a study of Philosophy and Ethics students will be equipped with a range of knowledge and skills that will help them make sense of contemporary events.

If you enjoy critical thinking and evaluating arguments and ideas you will enjoy this subject, it is not like any GCSE you will have taken and will truly open your mind to the way people have viewed the world and the purpose of life throughout history.

Unit 1: Foundations: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics
Philosophy of Religion in this unit comprises a study of philosophical arguments about the existence of God and selected problems in the philosophy of religion. Ethics comprises a study of ethical concepts and dilemmas. All the questions set for this unit require extended writing.

Unit 2: Investigations
This unit has an enquiry–based approach to teaching and learning, you will study one topic on the Philosophy of Religion. This unit provides for a balance of teacher-directed and more independent student enquiry. It offers a choice between these methods of teaching and learning by giving students the opportunity to undertake individual research. This will enable students to study independently and to use, and evaluate, a wide range of source material. All the questions set for this unit are essay questions.

Unit 3: Developments
This unit has been designed to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed in Unit 1: Religious Studies — Foundations. Philosophy of Religion in this unit comprises further study of philosophical arguments about the existence of God and selected problems in the philosophy of religion. Ethics comprises further study of ethical concepts and problems. All the questions set for this unit require extended writing.

Unit 4: Implications
This unit has been designed to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed in Units 1, 2 and 3. Students will consider, examine or discuss the consequences of holding certain opinions, views or beliefs, including their own, how a particular belief or value could affect other people, either for good or ill, how other people’s lives might be affected if a certain belief were widely held or a certain value widely applied. Students will consider implications in terms of how far particular beliefs and values might affect people’s understanding or awareness, including their own, of religion and human experience.

Aims

The aims of this course are to encourage students to develop their interest in and enthusiasm for a rigorous study of Philosophy and Ethics and relate it to the wider world; to treat the subject as an academic discipline by developing knowledge; to adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of Philosophy and Ethics and reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in the light of their learning.

Prior learning and progression
Students who would benefit most from studying a GCE in Religious Studies are likely to have a Level 2 qualification such as a GCSE in Religious Studies at grades A*—C, although this is not essential. This qualification supports progression into further education, training or employment.

Successful completion of this course will give students access to a range of career and higher education opportunities. Religious Studies combines well with almost all other humanities subjects such as General Studies, History, Geography and English. In addition, if taken with Mathematics and Sciences, Religious Studies will give students a broad-based curriculum. The course provides students with the opportunity to develop skills in collecting, synthesising and interpreting information from a range of sources, and to consider issues from a range of perspectives. These skills are highly valued by a range of professions, such as public services and the caring professions.

AS/A2 skills: Students are required to develop the following skills:
1. To reflect on, select and use specific knowledge
2. To interpret and evaluate Philosophical and Ethical concepts,
Issues, ideas, the relevance of arguments and the view of scholars
3. To use appropriate language and terminology in context
4. To use reasoned arguments substantiated by evidence
In addition, at A2 students are required to:
5. demonstrate a wider range and greater depth of knowledge, understanding and skills
6. show a greater maturity of thought and expression

Assessment at AS is based mainly on knowledge and understanding of the topics covered. A2 is a more rigorous critical analysis of ideas and philosophers’ works, therefore written English has to be a strength, reflecting good analytical skills.

Quality of written communication - Students will be assessed on their ability to write legibly, with accurate use of spelling, grammar and punctuation in order to make the meaning clear select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to purpose and to complex subject matter.

There are also specialist magazines that often feature articles on the Philosophy of Religion, and Religious Ethics. Both "Philosophers Magazine" and "Philosophy Now" have parallel internet sites. Also the library keeps copies of the magazine 'Dialogue' which is particularly good.

Reading List:

As you work through the course, you will need to read widely around the subject that you are studying. This will not just be reading the book - you will also need to make brief notes for later reference.

Cole, P. * The Theory of Knowledge Hodder 2002
Gaarder, J. Sophie's World Phoenix 1994
Jones, Cardinal, Hayward. * Existentialism and Humanism: Jean-Paul Sartre Penguin Classics 2003
Myerson, G * Mill on Liberty: A Beginners Guide Hodder 2001
Thompson, M * Teach yourself Ethics Hodder 1995
Thompson, M. Teach yourself the Philosophy of Religion Hodder 1995
Thompson, M * Ethical Theory Hodder 1999
Thompson, M* Religion and Science Hodder 1999
Thompson, M* An Introduction to Philosophy Hodder 1995
Vardy, P * The Puzzle of God Fount 1999
Vardy, P * The Puzzle of Evil Fount 1992
Grosch, P and Vardy, P * The Puzzle of Ethics Fount 1999

Advanced Texts -The following books cover individual sections of the philosophy syllabus, and are suitable for a more in-depth study of the topics.

Ayer, A.J Language, Truth and Logic Penguin 1990
Hick, J. ed The Existence of God Macmillan 1977
Egner, R. and Denonn, L ed The Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell Routledge 1992
Hick, J The Existence of God Macmillan 1977
Hick, J * Philosophy of Religion Prentice Hall 1990
Mackie, J L * Ethics. Inventing Right and Wrong Penguin 1990
Norman, R The Moral Philosophers. An introduction to Ethics OUP 1992
Singer, P ed A Companion to Ethics Blackwell 1995
Singer, P. ed Applied Ethics OUP 1992

The wider the reading, the wider the understanding.