Year	Term	Themes
7	Autumn	Humanities – people see things in different ways!
	Spring	Humanities  - Holy texts
	Summer	Humanities  - Fy Myd
8	Autumn	Life journey of a Christian and a Hindu
	Spring	Judaism
	Summer	Islam
9	Autumn	Conflict and Religion - Christianity and Islam
	Spring	Suffering- Christianity  and Buddhism
	Summer	Holocaust and more recent genocides

 

In year 10, students will study a unit on ‘Religion and Philosophical Themes’ and in year 11 they will follow a separate unit on ‘Religion and Ethical Themes.’ The WJEC GCSE Religious Studies takes a distinctive issues based approach to the study of religious, philosophical and ethical studies in the modern world. It provides opportunities for learners to understand more about the world, the religious challenges it faces and their place within it. Following this GCSE course will deepen understanding of religions and their effects on society. It will develop learners’ competence in a wide range of skills and approaches and enable young people to become religiously informed and thoughtful, engaged citizens.

 

General Aims

A GCSE in Religious Studies is viewed as an excellent grounding for people who are considering a career in Journalism, Law, Education, Medicine and other Care professions as well as work within the Civil Service. The course provides an opportunity for students to:

• develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of religions and non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism

• develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, teachings, practices, and sources of wisdom and authority.

• develop learners’ ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject

• provide opportunities for learners to engage with questions of belief, value, meaning, purpose, truth, and their influence on human life

• challenge learners to reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they have learnt and contribute to their preparation for adult life in a pluralistic society and global community

 

Unit 1--Part A		Unit 2--Part A
Christian and Islamic beliefs and practices
Part B –Key Concepts		Part B –Key Concepts
Life and death	Good and Evil	Relationships	Human Rights
Afterlife	Good/Evil	Adultery	Censorship
Environmental Responsibility	Forgiveness	Divorce	Discrimination
Euthanasia	Free Will	Cohabitation	Extremism
Evolution	Justice	Commitment	Human Rights
Abortion	Morality	Contraception	Personal conviction
Quality of Life	Pacifism	Gender Equality	Prejudice
Sanctity of Life	Conscience	Responsibilities	Relative and Absolute poverty
Soul	Suffering	Roles	Social justice

 

Summary of Assessment

Pupils will sit two papers, one at the end of Year 10 and the other at the end of Year 11, each of which will be 2 hours. The examination papers will consist of structured questions and there will be an opportunity for candidates to write at length.

Entry Requirements:

It is advisable for students to achieve at least a B grade for Religious Studies (Short Course) and Welsh language at GCSE level before undertaking the AS course.

What is Philosophy, Ethics and Buddhism (Religious Studies)?

There are two common misunderstandings about the study of religion at ‘A’ level. Firstly, it is not a subject taken only by those who want to become monks or nuns! Secondly, it is not the intention of the course or the teacher to make you into a religious person. The course is open to those who have a religious faith and those who have none. What you believe is ultimately your concern. For this reason, the examination is not concerned with judging your personal religious point of view.

What will I learn whilst studying Philosophy, Ethics and Buddhism?

You will grapple with the ultimate questions which religions seek to answer. You will develop the ability to reason and argue intelligently about issues that arise in relation to these questions. You will also learn important facts from Buddhism, Ethics and Philosophy. To succeed you need to have an open mind and be ready to question a variety of philosophical opinions.

Course Content:

• Unit 1: An Introduction to Buddhism: Religious figures and sacred texts; religious concepts; religious life; and religious practices.

• Unit 2: An Introduction to Philosophy of Religion / Religion and Ethics

Section A: An Introduction to Religion and Ethics: Ethical language and thought, Natural Law, Situation Ethics and Utilitarianism.

Section B: An Introduction to Philosophy of Religion: Cosmological and teleological arguments for the existence of God; the non-existence of God ,the problem of evil and religious experience.

A2 Year 13

To continue with the A2 course it is advisable for students to achieve at least a C grade at AS level.

• Unit 3: Study of Buddhism

Religious figures and sacred texts, significant historical and social development in religious thought, and practices that shape religious identity.

• Unit 4: Religion and Ethics

Ethical language and thought, contemporary developments in ethical theory and freewill and determinism.

• Unit 5: Philosophy of Religion

Challenges to religious belief, religious experience and religious language.

Possible Careers

Boots, Marks and Spencer, the Post Office, the Gas and Electricity Boards, the Police, the Armed Forces, Nursing, Banking, Journalism to name but a few, welcome applicants with an ‘A’ level in this subject. Of course, all Universities and Colleges of Education also accept it for entrance to degree courses such as Law, Sociology, History, Welsh, Psychology as well as the traditional Religious Studies and Theology courses.

Link to the website of the course: https://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/religious-studies/r-religious-studies-gce-asa-from-2016/