A level Religious Studies Years 12 & 13
Specification
AQA 7061 - The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link: AQA | Subjects | Religious Studies | AS and A-level
Have you ever thought about the ultimate questions, those big questions about our purpose and existence?
- Why are we here?
- Is there a life after this one?
- Do souls exist?
- What sort of God, if any, exists?
- How do we know what is right?
Students who study philosophy, ethics and religion will arrive at a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. This course is intellectually demanding, exciting and a challenge. You get the chance to assess the ideas of the most influential thinkers and movements of the past 2,500 years. Philosophy, ethics and religious studies is one of the more underrated subjects because of mass misunderstanding. The focus is not just on religion nor is it an extension of GCSE RE, the course offers so much more. Most importantly a Philosophy, Ethics and Religion A level provides you with the opportunity to develop key skills that are essential for success on most degree courses.
The AQA Religious Studies (Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, Religion and Dialogues) A Level is academically demanding. Higher Education institutions value the transferable skills – critical thinking, skills of analysis and evaluation which are developed by students on their learning journey. This A level fits a wide range of possible university subject choice combinations, not only in arts, humanities, but also the sciences and medicine too.
Key Features
You will develop solid interpersonal skills that you will use every day to communicate and interact with other people, both individually and in groups. These include empathy and compassion, intrigue, and questioning skills as well as a critical and philosophical approach to key ideas and opinions.
The course can be very demanding, so you must organise your time sufficiently to cope with the requirements.
Time is spent discussing and debating important questions, developing an open mind, and listening skills as well as mature language and providing you ways to support your ideas. Written skills are intensely developed throughout the year with specific focus on written language, essay writing skills and development of a written argument.
Philosophy, ethics, and religion develops the ability to gather information (often through research), articulate, analyse, solve complex problems and make decisions based on the research or information found.
Subject content
All students follow the AQA Religious Studies (Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, Religion and Dialogues) course which is assessed by two 3 hour written exams for each component. They will cover the following two units:
Philosophy of religion and ethics
Philosophy of religion: Arguments for the existence of God, evil and suffering, religious experience, religious language, Miracles and the self and death and the afterlife
Ethical theories of natural moral law, situation and virtue ethics, Issues of human life and death, Issues of animal life and death, Introduction to meta ethics, Free will and moral responsibility, conscience, and comparison of the views of Bentham and Kant.
Study of religion and dialogues ~ King’s option for study: Christianity.
Sources of wisdom and authority, God/gods/ultimate reality, self, death and the afterlife, good conduct and key moral principles, expression of religious identity, religion, gender and sexuality, religion and science, religion and secularisation and religion and religious pluralism.
The dialogue between philosophy of religion and religion: How religion is influenced by and has an influence on philosophy of religion in relation to the issues studied. The dialogue between ethical studies and religion: How religion is influenced by and has an influence on ethical studies in relation to the issues studied.
What background do I need?
Whilst a GCSE in the subject is desirable, it isn't essential. Philosophy, Ethics and Religions is a very accessible at A level provided you understand the basics of major world religions, and strong writing skills. In this light, a strong grade in an essay-based GCSE, for example English, is a big plus. Alongside these skills, you need to have a keen interest in the subject, including a desire to broaden your knowledge and understanding of religion, philosophy, and ethics, and to develop your skills in critical thinking and analysis.
Opportunities
The AQA Religious Studies (philosophy of religion, ethics, and religion) A level is also useful in a wide variety of career pathways: Law, journalism, business, politics, public relations, social work, media and publishing, management, broadcasting and journalism, the civil service, national and local government and the sciences and medicine too. Many higher education institutions look favourably upon this course due to the transferable which are developed; further, it is extremely useful if studying law, criminology or sociology.
How it's assessed
| Component 1: Philosophy of religion and ethics | Paper 2: Component 2: Study of religion and dialogues~ Christianity |
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What is assessed? Section A and Section B – Worth 50% in one 3 hour written paper. |
What is assessed? Section A, B and C in one three hour written paper. Worth 50% in 3 hour written paper. |
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Assessment: Section A: two compulsory two-part questions, each and 15 Section B: two compulsory two-part questions, each worth 10 marks and 15 marks. In both sections, questions may span more than one topic. In each two-part question, the first part tests AO1 and the second part tests AO2. |
Assessment: Section A: two compulsory two-part questions, each worth 10 marks and 15 marks relating to the religion chosen. Section B: one unstructured synoptic question from a choice of two worth 25 marks. Section C: one unstructured synoptic question from a choice of two worth 25 marks. |
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Component 1: Philosophy of religion and ethics Section A: Philosophy of religion Section B: Ethics and religion |
Component 2: Study of religion and dialogues – Section A: Study of Christianity questions may be set that span more than one topic. Section B: The dialogue between philosophy of religion and religion. Section C: The dialogue between ethical studies and religion. |
Year 12
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Autumn Term |
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1 |
Component 1: Philosophy of religion and ethics Component 1: Section 1A: Philosophy of religion
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Faith proof: deductive proof, inductive argument – ‘personal proof’ Explanations of natural and moral evil, and presentations of arguments Hick’s soul-making: ‘the encounter with ‘evil’. |
Understanding specialist terminology. Engaged critical enquiry, construct reasoned arguments. Analyse questions, arguments, and evaluate critically concepts, texts and other sources. |
|
2 |
Component 1: Section 1 B: Ethics and religion
|
Introduction to ethics –including examination of for e.g., the killing of Bin Laden by US forces. Natural moral law – understandings of the concepts of Eternal law and Natural moral law from Aquinas. |
Understanding specialist terminology. Engaged critical enquiry, construct reasoned arguments. Analyse questions, arguments, and evaluate critically concepts, texts and other sources. |
|
Spring Term |
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|
1 |
Component 1. Section 1A: Philosophy of religion
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Visions. Numinous experiences. Mystical experiences. Challenges of verification, science and the responses to the challenges and perspectives of science and other atheist/theist views e.g. Teresa of Avila, Pam Reynolds, Moses and the burning bush, Mohammad’s night journey, the Buddha’s enlightenment, Davey Falcus, John Wesley etc. |
Understanding specialist terminology. Engaged critical enquiry, construct reasoned arguments. Analyse questions, arguments, and evaluate critically concepts, texts and other sources. |
|
2 |
Component 1: Section 1 B: Ethics and religion
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Bentham’s utilitarianism: hedonistic nature of humans, principle of utility, hedonic calculus, act utilitarianism
Kant: duty and good will, role of reason, three formulations of the categorical imperative. |
Understanding specialist terminology. Engaged critical enquiry, construct reasoned arguments. Analyse questions, arguments, and evaluate critically concepts, texts and other sources. |
|
Summer Term |
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1 |
Component 2: Section 2A: Study of religion – for faith option (Christianity) the following topics are covered:
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Identifying different strands of Christian thinking, ‘fundamentalist’ and ‘modernist’ The impact of contrasting views of authority and teaching. Christian Monotheism God as Personal, including Christian feminist perspectives. The concept of God in process theology: God as neither omnipotent nor creator. |
Understanding specialist terminology. Engaged critical enquiry, construct reasoned arguments. Analyse questions, arguments, and evaluate critically concepts, texts and other sources. |
Year 13
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 |
2A: Study of religion – Continued (Christianity) the following topics are covered:
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The meaning and purpose of life, the concept of soul, Judgement, heaven, hell and purgatory, immortality.
Good moral conduct in the Christian way of life, Sanctity of life, Dominion and stewardship and the natural environment
Baptism, Holy Communion: differing practices and understandings, the mission of the Church from the early 20th century to today. |
understanding specialist terminology critical enquiry, construct reasoned arguments, analyse questions, arguments, and evaluate critically concepts, texts and other sources. |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 |
Component 2: Section 2B: Paper 2B Study of Religion and Dialogues: Christianity. |
How religion is influenced by and has an influence on philosophy of religion in relation to the issues studied. Synoptic Exam questions. |
Knowledge, application, analysis, and evaluation Skills for A01/A02 – Paper 2 -synoptic essays; 25 & 15-mark questions |
| 2 |
Component 2: Section C: The dialogue between ethical studies and religion. |
How religion is influenced by and has an influence on ethical studies in relation to the issues studied. Synoptic Exam questions. |
Knowledge, application, analysis, and evaluation Skills for A01/A02 – Paper 2 -synoptic essays; 25 & 15-mark questions |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 |
Revision for A level exams |
Scrutiny of past papers and mark schemes |
Examination Preparation & Techniques |
Assessments
| Resources | Topic | Type of assessment |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 1 |
All areas covered in term 1 |
Examination paper |
| CAT 2 |
All areas covered in Year 12 |
Examination paper |
| CAT 3 |
Component 1 and 2 |
End of Year Examination |
| CAT 4 |
All areas covered in Year 13 Term 1 |
Examination paper |
| CAT 5 |
Component 1 and 2 |
Examination paper |
| CAT 6 |
Component 1 and 2 |
Mock Examination |
Main Resources
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Text books |
AQA A-level Religious Studies Year 1 ISBN: 1471873951 AQA A-level Religious Studies Year 2 ISBN: 1471874001 |
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Recommended Reading |
Paley, Natural theology, OUP Hume, Dialogues concerning natural religion Proslogion Article – objections to the Ontological argument Jordan, Lockyer and Tate, Religious Studies: Philosophy of Religion, process thought, Nelson Thornes. James,W The varieties of religious experience Cole, P. Religious Experience. Miracles of Jesus such as walking on water (Mk 6:45–52); turning water into wine (Jn 2:1–11); raising Jairus’ daughter (Mk 5:21–43); woman with the haemorrhage (Mk 5:25–34) Study of near death experiences (NDE ) Jordan, Lockyer and Tate, AQA A2 Religious Studies: Philosophy of Religion, pp 47–59, Oxford Ryle G, The concept of mind, 1949 Fletcher J, Situation ethics: the new morality Hursthouse R, Applying virtue ethics to our treatment of other animals Bowie R, Ethical Studies, pp 87–98 Bowie R, Ethical Studies, pp 144–160 Bowie and Frye, AS Religious Studies: ethics, pp: 19–21, 26–28, 48–53 and 54–56 Nelson Thornes
My Revision Notes AQA A-level Religious Studies: Paper 1 Philosophy of religion and ethics ISBN: 151042587X My Revision Notes AQA A-level Religious Studies: Paper 2 Study of Christianity and Dialogues ISBN: 1510425888 |
| Recommended websites |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQjCwgzeTBc – overview of the specification https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpvhlSLzg2LT89FNUuN-Sig - Wireless Philosophy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7IcJI8PUf5Z3zKxnZvTBog - School of Life http://www.rsrevision.com/contents/index.htm Internet encyclopedia of philosophy – the evidential problem of evil philosophy.lander.edu/intro/articles/dostoevsky-a.pdf Internet encyclopedia of philosophy – religious language Internet encyclopedia of philosophy – philosophy of religion Internet encyclopedia of philosophy – Ludwig Wittgenstein YouTube – Hick's theory of replicas YouTube – Hick's theory of replicas: brief overview Stuart Hameroff – consciousness Introduction to ethics and types of ethics Foot P, The problem of abortion and the doctrine of double effect YouTube – Hursthouse, virtue, theory and abortion part 1 |
