Religious Studies

Assessment

UNIT 1: Religion and Ethics 2 hour written exam 120 marks 33.33% ■ Normative ethical theories: Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, Natural Moral Law, Kant’s Categorical Imperative ■ Applied ethics: euthanasia, business ethics ■ Meta-ethical theories: naturalism, intuitionism, emotivism ■ Conscience (a comparison between Aquinas and Freud) ■ Sexual ethics (extra-marital sex and homosexuality) UNIT 2: Philosophy of Religion 2 hour written exam 120 marks 33.33% ■ Ancient philosophical influences (Plato & Aristotle) ■ The nature of soul, mind and body (dualism and materialism) ■ Analysis of classical arguments for the existence of God (design, cosmological, ontological, religious experience) ■ The philosophical problem of evil and suffering and proposed solutions ■ The nature and attributes of God ■ Religious language, including verification and falsification debates UNIT 3: Developments in Christian Thought 2 hour written exam 120 marks 33.33% ■ Early Christian teachings: Augustine, Aquinas ■ The historical Jesus ■ Christian moral principles and action; Dietrich Bonhoeffer ■ Religious pluralism and theology ■ Inter-faith dialogue ■ Gender and society: feminist theology ■ The challenge of secularism: atheism and humanism ■ Liberation theology and Marx