Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics (OCR)
What do the disciplines demand?
The Philosophy of Religion requires a testing of the meaningfulness and truth of the claims set down by religious texts and religious beliefs. The course covers such topics as the existence of God, the problem of evil (theodicy), psychological and sociological responses to religious belief and life after death. The Religious Ethics component examines the nature of the terms ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and the use of ethical language (meta-ethics). It also explores ethical systems and theories such as Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics and Natural Moral Law. There is also a focus upon the application of ethical theories to practical ethical issues such as sexual and medical ethics.
What is demanded of students?
Religious Studies at A Level is not an easy option. Prerequisites for the course are good passes in English and the Sciences at GCSE because the course requires an ability both for written communication of complex and often abstract ideas and to be thorough, methodical and precise. An open and inquiring intellect that enjoys grappling with questions that often have no simple or straightforward answers is essential. The course will enable students to develop their critical and analytical faculties and also inform their own views through the thinking of eminent thinkers both from the past and the present.
A complement to other subjects.
Religious Studies complements most subjects on the curriculum very well. There are obvious links with English, History and Classical Studies, however the attention to detail and need for justification of arguments required is paralleled in the Sciences and Mathematics. Traditionally, Religious Studies has attracted students engaged in the full range of academic subjects.
Religious Studies is also regarded highly by university admissions tutors as it combines two of the oldest academic disciplines, those of Philosophy and Theology. Religious Studies is a subject that is of great importance in a very wide range of careers from Business to the Law and from Medicine to the Armed Forces. Students opting for this course will receive an excellent preparation for further study or for the world of work.
The Specification
The Advanced GCE is made up of two mandatory units at AS and two further units at A2.
Unit G571: AS Philosophy of Religion
• Ancient Greek influences on philosophy of religion; Plato and Aristotle
• Judaeo-Christian influences on philosophy of religion;
• Traditional arguments for the existence of God; Ontological, Cosmological and Teleological arguments
• Challenges to religious belief. Problem of evil, Religion and Science
Unit G572: AS Religious Ethics
• Ethical theories; Natural Law, Kant, Utilitarianism
• Applied ethics topics.
Unit G581: A2 Philosophy of Religion
• Religious language;
• Experience and religion;
• Life and death;
• Miracle.
Unit G582: A2 Religious Ethics
• Meta-ethics;
• Free will and determinism;
• Conscience;
• Virtue ethics;
• Applied ethics topics.
Examinations
AS GCE
G571 AS Philosophy of Religion is examined in January of Year 12. A 90 minute paper in which the students answer two two-part essay questions from a choice of four.
G572 AS Religious Ethics is examined in June of Year 12. A 90 minute paper in which the students answer two two-part essay questions from a choice of four.
These two units carry an equal weighting of 50% each for the AS grade. They carry an equal weighting of 25% each for the A Level grade
A Level GCE
G581: A2 Philosophy of Religion is examined in January of Year 13. A 90 minute paper in which the students answer two two-part essay questions from a choice of four.
G582: A2 Religious Ethics is examined in June of Year 12. A 90 minute paper in which the students answer two two-part essay questions from a choice of four.
These two units carry an equal weighting of 25% each for the A Level grade