GCSE Religious Studies

GCSE Religious Studies focuses on some of the most important religious, philosophical and ethical ideas and controversies of our time. It requires pupils to develop skills of analysis and argument-building, and an ability to understand radically different viewpoints than their own, skills that strongly support a great many 6th-Form choices, university degrees, and careers. Pupils study four of the following exciting and challenging philosophical and ethical themes:

    • Theme A: Relationships and families.
      • Sex, marriage, homosexuality and divorce; the ethical arguments relating to them
      • Family and gender equality, exploring contemporary issues, prejudice, and discrimination
    • Theme B: Religion and Life:
      • The origins and value of the universe, including the relationship between science and religion
      • The origins and value of human life, including debates about euthanasia, abortion and life after death
    • Theme C: The Existence of God and Revelation
      • Philosophical arguments for and against the existence of God
      • The nature of the divine and revelation
    • Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict
      • Religion, violence, terrorism and war
      • Religion and belief in 21st century conflict
    • Theme E: Religion, Crime and Punishment
      • Religion, crime and the causes of crime
      • Religion and punishment
    • Theme F: Religion, human rights and social justice.
      • The status of women in religion, issues of wealth, and the freedom of religious expression.
      • Human rights and responsibilities, including ethical arguments related to racial discrimination (including positive discrimination), and those based on the ideals of equality and justice.

Pupils will study the beliefs and practices of two religions: Christianity and Buddhism, and the approaches these faiths take to the topics outlined above.

We will follow the AQA GCSE Religious Studies course, which is assessed by two exams of 1 hour 45 minutes each. There is no coursework. More information can be found at http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062

Contact for further information:

Mr. E. Swift – emhs@wellingtoncollege.org.uk