Philosophy & Ethics

 
Philosophy & Ethics
A Level
Exam Board OCR H573

Entry Requirements:

5 GCSE passes and a minimum of a grade 6 in Religious Studies and English Language.

 
You can:

Apply to enrol on the A Level course in Religious Studies.

 

This will mean:

At the end of this study candidates will have gained an increasingly popular and nationally recognised qualification that is especially well respected by all universities.  

 

The course develops the following skills:

  • Essay Writing: expressing yourself clearly and formulating convincing lines of argument
  • Debating: expressing an argument persuasively and listening to the arguments of others
  • Researching: seeking details surrounding ethical issues and the views of philosophers
  • Presenting: communicating topics researched to the class
  • Analysis: weighing up the strengths of arguments and considering issues from many angles
 

This course will appeal to any student who:

Is interested in exploring questions about the existence of God/the Universe and how we understand the difference between right and wrong. You must be open to new and challenging ideas and concepts and be able to think critically and reflectively. 

 

You will:

-in Year 12— A1
Study 3 units of assessment

-in Year 13—A2
Study 3 further units of assessment, as well as the three year 12 units as a full A level qualification.
 

Course Modules are:

in Year 12

01 — Philosophy of Religion

Learners will study:

  • Ancient philosophical influences

  • The nature of the soul, mind and body

  • Arguments about the existence or non-existence of God

  • The nature and impact of religious experience

  • The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil

 

02 – Religion & Ethics

Learners will study:

  • Natural Law

  • Situation ethics

  • Kantian ethics

  • Utilitarian ethics

  • Euthanasis

  • Business ethics

 

03  - Developments in Religious Thought

Learners will study:

  • Religious beliefs, values and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and in the contemporary world

  • Sources of religious wisdom and authority

  • Practices which shape and express religious identity, and how these vary within a tradition

 

Assessment: End of year internal assessment

 

in Year 13

01 – Philosophy of Religion

Learners will study:

IN ADDITION TO YR12:

  • Ideas about the nature of God

  • Issues about the meaning of  religious language.   

 

02 – Religion & Ethics

Learners will study:

IN ADDITION TO YR12:

  • Ethical language and thought

  • Debates surrounding the significant idea of conscience

  • Sexual ethics and the influence on ethical thought of developments in religious beliefs

 

03 - Developments of Religious Thought

Learners will study:

IN ADDITION TO YR12:

  • Significant social and historical developments in theology and religious thought

  • Key themes related to the relationship between religion and society

 

A Level Assessment

Written exams :

  • Philosophy of Religion (2  hours).

  • Religion & Ethics (2 hours).

  • Developments in Religious Thought (2 hours)

 

With this subject you could:

Develop the skills needed to support applications into especially: law, medicine, teaching and journalism

 
 

For more information contact:

Mrs A Morrison amorrison@ndonline.org

Mrs S Holmes sholmes@ndonline.org