Religious Studies

Course summary

The Greek philosopher, Socrates, once said “the unexamined life is not worth living”. A level Religion, Ethics and Philosophy explores topics that provide students with the tools they need to critically examine their own lives as well as the world in which they live. It is one of the fastest growing academic subjects at A level nationally; it complements many other A level courses as it analyses issues that relate to all subjects, as well as teaching students not what to think, but how to think. This course is an exam based linear course and consists of three elements: The study of Religion, Ethics and Philosophy. Each component of the course is worth 33.3%. Students will sit three exams at the end of Year 13. For the Religion aspect of the course, students will be able to decide as a group which of the six major world religions they would like to study; Philosophy topics include arguments for the existence of God, challenges to religious belief and Religious Language; and Ethics topics include Ethical Language and Thought, a variety of ethical theories and their application to issues such as euthanasia, sex and business.