Year 12 & Year 13 Curriculum Plan
Religion and Philosophy at KEQMS
We aim to enable students to consider the question ‘who am I?' in the broadest possible sense. The subject is about exploring the self and beyond the self.
‘Know thyself' (Socrates)
Education enables us to obtain the understanding and skills needed to discover and then effectively fulfil our function in broader society and ensure material survival for the self. But surely education should give us far more than this. Stimulation and progression through the acquisition of empirical knowledge is crucial; but so is a dedication to philosophy - exploring the wonders of meaning and purpose, and the beauty of a transcendent consciousness we occasionally glimpse in those rare moments of life where we move beyond ourselves. Religion and Philosophy is the complete subject; it envelopes all else by pulling whatever it may be towards an end, giving us a knowledge which embraces the knowable as well as the unknowable and offering a vision of human flourishing with a purposeful approach to living and working. Education can so easily miss everything that matters!
‘Good education is not just about producing economically effective ‘units' that will be of service to their nation and economy' (Vardy)
Religion and Philosophy is a demanding and immensely rewarding subject. Students learn to think for themselves and support their opinions with clear reasoning. All students are encouraged to be fully involved in discussions and debates; it is always a pleasure to watch students grow in confidence and passion. Students learn to think critically and analyse logical arguments. Much attention is paid to improving students' evaluative skills so that they are able to present their own coherent, persuasive arguments which arrive at well-informed judgments. They are encouraged to discover and be prepared to challenge all that limits free-thinking and genuine identity. We want our students to encounter non-contingent sources of moral authority and consider the nature, value and origin of the courage needed if we are to obey these sources above all else.
AS/A2- years 12 and 13
Overall vision
• To challenge students with, and enable students to respond to, the breadth and depth of truth.
AQA Religious Studies
Aims
The specification is designed to encourage students to:
• Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for a rigorous study of religion and relate it to the wider world
• Treat the subject as an academic discipline by developing knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to a specialist study of religion
• Adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion
• Reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in the light of their learning.
(Taken from the AQA Specification)
Topics
Year 12
Powerpoint Presentation - Introduction to Ethics
Religion and Ethics 1 (RSS01)
• Utilitarianism
• Situation Ethics
• Religious teaching on the nature and value of human life
• Abortion and euthanasia
Religion and Ethics 2 (RSS02)
• Deontology and Kant - power point presentation
• Natural Law and ethics
• Religious views of the created world
• Environment, both local and worldwide
Year 13
Religion and Ethics (RST3A)
• Libertarianism, free will and determinism
• Virtue Ethics
• Religious views on sexual behaviour and human relationships
Example of essay structure and content
• Science and technology
Religion and human experience. Topic 1: Life, Death and Beyond
• Religious and secular perspectives on the nature and value of human life
• Eschatological and apocalyptic, religious and secular teaching and attitudes.
• Religious and secular ideas about the importance of the present life and life after death
• Beliefs about death and beyond, both religious and non-religious.
Useful Links
