Religious Studies
Please see the letter to year 10 (here) and 11 (here) parents to opt into the GCSE course.
Curriculum Content: |
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Aims and ambitions: Our GCSE covers both Buddhism and Christianity and four contemporary ethical themes so that our students have a diverse choice of intriguing subjects to explore. Students will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious and moral issues. Students will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas, leadership and research skills. All these skills will help prepare them for further study in all P16 pathways and help them consider a wide range of moral issues in the modern world.
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Year group |
Topics include |
By the end of the year, students should be able to: |
7 |
Who am I?
A – Z of religion
Creation and the environment.
Buddhist Beliefs
The Old Testament
Religious Rebels
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Recall key religious teachings. Reflect on what they are being taught about other people’s religious beliefs. Reflect on their own opinions when looking at social and moral issues. Covering the following subjects:
Who am I? What is religion? What does religion teach people? The Golden rule. Why are some people religious when others are not? Religious symbols.
Explore ideas of Creationism and Evolution.
Christian Creation Story. Causation argument. Design argument. Hinduism and Creation. Islam and the environment. Environmental charities. Buddhism interdependence.
The story of Siddhartha. Existence. Karma. The 4 Noble truths. The 5 Precepts. The 8 Fold Path. Buddha Image.
The Big Story. Creation. The Fall. Commandments. Sin. Forgiveness. Sacrifice and Atonement. The Prophets. Exile.
What is a Rebel? Abraham. Ghandi. Mohammed. Guru Nanak. Martin Luther King Malcolm X.
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8 |
Global Citizenship
China (Buddhism)
Castleton
Chatsworth
Breaking News
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Recall key religious teachings. Reflect on what they are being taught about other people’s religious beliefs. Reflect on their own opinions when looking at social and moral issues. Explore how religious people practice and use art to express their faith. . Covering the following subjects:
Children’s Rights. Refugees. Multi-Ethnic Society. Stephen Lawrence. Christians promoting racial harmony. Multi Faith Britain.
Buddhism as a religion. Existence. Mediation. Life of a Buddhist Monk. Buddhist worship. Buddhist festivals.
Religious Art
Ethical Choices. Utilitarianism. Applying Utilitarianism. Doing your duty. Animal ethics. Religion and animal rights.
Religious prejudice. Islamophobia. 911. Radicalisation. Religion in the media. Religion in modern films.
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9 |
Buddhist beliefs
Crime and Punishment
Peace and conflict
Christian Beliefs. |
Students should be aware that Buddhism is one of the diverse religious traditions and beliefs in Great Britain today and that the main religious tradition in Great Britain is Christianity. This knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified content. Students should study the beliefs of Buddhism specified and their basis in Buddhist sources of wisdom and authority. They should be able to refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate. Some texts are prescribed and questions may be set on them. Students may refer to any relevant text in their answers. Students may refer to a range of Buddhist perspectives in
Students will study religious teachings, and religious, philosophical and ethical arguments, relating to the issues that follow, and their impact and influence in the modern world. They should be aware of contrasting perspectives in contemporary British society on all of these issues. They must be able to explain contrasting beliefs on the following three issues with reference to Christianity and Buddhism: Corporal punishment, Death penalty and Forgiveness.
Students will study religious teachings, and religious, philosophical and ethical arguments, relating to the issues that follow, and their impact and influence in the modern world. They should be aware of contrasting perspectives in contemporary British society on all of these issues. They must be able to explain contrasting beliefs on the following three issues with reference to Christianity and Buddhism: Violence, weapons of mass destruction and Pacifism.
Students should be aware that Christianity is one of the diverse religious traditions and beliefs in Great Britain today and that the main religious tradition in Great Britain is Christianity. Students should study the beliefs of Christianity and their basis in Christian sources of wisdom and authority. They should be able to refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate. Some texts are prescribed for study and questions may be set on them. Students may refer to any relevant text in their answers. Students should study the influence of the beliefs on individuals, Communities, and societies. Common and divergent views within Christianity in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout. Students may refer to a range of different Christian perspectives in their answers including Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. They must study the specific differences. |
10 |
Christian Practices.
Relationships and Families
Buddhist Practices
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Understand different forms of worship and their significance: Different forms of worship and their significance:
The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations including:
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11 |
Religion and Life.
Course Re-visit |
Students will study religious teachings, and religious, philosophical and ethical arguments, relating to the issues that follow, and their impact and influence in the modern world. They should be aware of contrasting perspectives in contemporary British society on all of these issues. They must be able to explain contrasting beliefs on the following three issues with reference to Christianity and Buddhism: Abortion, Euthanasia and Animal experimentation.
Review of key content. |
GCSE Key Information |
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Qualification |
GCSE |
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Exam board |
AQA |
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Website link |
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062 |
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Exam structure and content |
Two one hour and 45 minute exams. Paper 1 – Christian and Buddhist beliefs and practices. Paper 2 – Thematic studies. |
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Recommended revision guide |
aqa-gcse-religious-studies-a-christianity-and-buddhism-revision-guide
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Extra-curricular opportunities in |
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Outside Speakers. NATRE artwork competition.
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