GCSE Religious Studies
This course aims to: |
- Develop students’ understanding of religious belief and its application to the ‘big questions’ surrounding the existence of God
- Build analytical and evaluative skills on the influence that religious beliefs and practices have on people's lives
- Develop students’ religious literacy to allow students to make sense of faith in the world today.
- Make links between belief and practice at a highly academic level
- Cultivate students' confidence in expressing their own personal ideas and evaluating others' viewpoints
Why study GCSE Religious Studies |
The GCSE Religious Studies course allows students to critically analyse religious beliefs at a much greater depth. This depth is where Religious Studies becomes fascinating, considering questions about the existence of God, the problems that religious believers must overcome and the challenges that people face in their lives.
We study two faiths throughout the course: Christianity and Islam. This allows our students to develop a deep understanding of what it means to be religious. Students will be studying two Abrahamic faiths to a high level and in order to reflect our school community and world, it is important that Islam is studied in depth at GCSE level. This will prepare our students with the skills required to understand and engage with religious debates, from all religions, that are becoming increasingly significant in our world.
With a robust religious literacy, students will evaluate the significance of faith within society and analyse the impact what we believe has on the way we live our lives. During the course we will not only study the faith of others but will reflect on our own core beliefs and justify them within the context of the world around us. Students will study the practices of different denominations within Christianity and Islam. In doing so, students will gain skills which they can transfer to the study of other faiths.
Crucially, students will develop an ability to critically question the bases for religious practices and develop their own responses to religious teachings and ideas. Religious Studies GCSE is an academic subject that exposes students to a variety of sources of authority which forces students to engage with ideas different from their own. In doing so, students develop as inquisitive, independent thinkers. Students are challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious 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. Such skills will help prepare them for further study and will make for very interesting dinner time conversation at home.
What kind of student is suitable for this course? |
Students should consider this course if they are interested in discussing big questions around belief, philosophy and ethics and possess a curiosity about faith. Students do not have to be religious in order to enjoy this course. It will allow students to explore and uncover the layers of meaning behind religious practices, so students should have an interest in understanding the way that our beliefs inform our actions.
Students must be willing to challenge and refine their own understanding of faith through the analysis of beliefs very different to their own. We consider large ethical issues, which in the past have led to students engaging with political and moral issues in the news and even becoming blood organ donors.
What career options are opened by this course? |
The skills that are developed through study of the Religious Studies course are highly desirable by employers across a range of sectors (not just potential Vicars and RS teachers!). Critical thinking, analysis, evaluation and questioning skills are vital for careers in law and politics, and our study of ethics is important for further study in medicine, nursing and social work. The development of writing skills in response to religious practices is also crucial for careers in journalism and education. Some students may consider Religious Studies because they intend to engage in further theological study or because they are considering working in the charity sector.
Beyond this, Religious Studies will develop some of the skills that all employers are looking for and Religious Studies will certainly not narrow your career prospects. Students are required to describe a range of views with clarity, giving personal responses to religious practices using textual evidence to support their answers. Students develop the ability to think independently and weigh up the relative strengths and weaknesses of a range of positions.
Course structure |
Students will follow the AQA Religious Studies course, Specification A, focusing on Christianity and Islam.
Year 10 (50% of the course content)
Christian Beliefs
- Key beliefs: The nature of God, the creation of the world, life after death, heaven and hell.
- Jesus Christ and Salvation: The incarnation of God, the crucifixion and resurrection, salvation from sin.
Christian Practises
- Worship and festivals: Different ways of worshipping, prayer, the importance of baptism and holy communion, pilgrimage, Christmas and Easter.
- The role of the church in the local and wider community: Evangelism, helping those in need, including the poor and the persecuted across the world.
Islam Beliefs
- Key beliefs: The nature of Allah, Tawhid, Angels, predestination, life after death, the six articles of faith and the five in Sunni Islam and the five roots of Usul-ad Din in Shi’a Islam
- Authority: Risalah (prophethood), The Qur’an and other holy books and the Imamate in Shi’a Islam.
Islam Practises
- Worship and Festivals: The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam; Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj. The Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam. Jihad, Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura.
Year 11 (50% of the course content)
Religion and Life
- The origins and value of the universe: Scientific and religious views, human duty to protect it, the environment, the use and abuse of animals, animal experimentation.
- The origins and value of human life: Scientific and religious views, sanctity and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia, death and the afterlife.
Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice
- Human rights: Prejudice and discrimination in religion, equality, human rights, social justice, racism, positive discrimination.
- Wealth and poverty: The responsibilities of wealth, exploitation of the poor, charity.
Religion, Crime and Punishment
- Religion, crime and the causes of crime: Good and evil, intentions and actions, poverty, can you break an unjust law?
- Religion and punishment: Aims of punishment, the treatment of criminals, forgiveness, the death penalty.
Religion, Peace and Conflict
- Religion, violence, terrorism and war: Peace, forgiveness, reasons for war, just war theory, holy war, pacifism.
- Religion and belief in 21st century conflict: Religion as a cause of war, nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction, peace-making, responses to the victims of war.
Assessment
Paper 1: Written Exam (1hour 45mins) 96 marks (+6 SPaG) on Christianity and Islam
Paper 2: Written Exam (1hour 45mins) 96 marks (+3 SPaG) on Ethical Themes
Key Contact |
Ms Patel, Head of Religious Studies
Syllabus website |
AQA | GCSE | Religious Studies A | Specification at a glance