Key Stage 4
AQA (specification A) Religious Studies GCSE
Interest in religion and the effect it has upon our culture is one of the fastest growing subjects. The GCSE course in Religious Studies reflects the changing role and importance of religion in today’s society including Ethics and Philosophy in the Modern World.
The course addresses issues primarily in Christianity and Islam but also allows for other religious beliefs to be studied. It allows students to reflect upon their own views and gives them opportunities to personally respond to the topics studied.
The two year course, taught over two periods a week, covers a range of issues including:
- the problem of evil for religious believers; the questions the existence of evil raise about God’s creation and power
- differing responses to situations when abortion is advocated
- religious attitudes towards sex, marriage and divorce including responses to parental involvement and race in the choice of marriage partner
- religious attitudes towards drugs and the debate about the classification and legal status of different drugs
- different responses to war including reasons for pacifism and ways in which a ‘just war’ and ‘holy war’ have been justified
- attitudes towards crime and punishment including the debate on capital punishment
- issues in medical ethics, such as the debates about fertility treatment, cloning, transplant surgery and genetic engineering
…..and much, much more!
Religious Studies at GCSE is suitable for anyone who has an interest in the issues and debates that affect people’s lives today. You do not have to become a vicar or a priest! You do, though, need an open mind and an ability to see all sides of an argument.
Topics Covered per Half Term
Term | Year 10 |
Autumn 1 |
Key Beliefs and Teachings in Christianity – component 1 (The nature of God; Different Christian beliefs about creation; Different Christian beliefs about the afterlife; Jesus Christ and salvation). |
Autumn 2 |
Key Beliefs and Teaching in Islam - component 1 (The six articles of faith; The Oneness of God; The nature of God; Angels; Predestination; Life after death (Akhirah); Prophethood (Risalah); The Holy Books). |
Spring 1 |
Crime and punishment - component 2 E Religion, Crime and Punishment (Corporal Punishment; The Death Penalty; Forgiveness). |
Spring 2 |
Religion and Life - component 2 B Religon and Life (Abortion; Euthanasia; Animal Experimentation). |
Summer 1 |
Christian Practices (Worship and Festivals) - component 1 (Different forms of worship and their significance; The role and meaning of the sacraments; The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations; The role of the church in the local and worldwide community). |
Summer 2 |
Christian Practices (Worship and Festivals) – component 1 Different forms of worship and their significance; The role and meaning of the sacraments; The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations; The role of the church in the local and worldwide community). Revision of all of year ten topics |
Topics Covered per Half Term
Term |
Year 11 |
Autumn 1 |
Religion and animal rights
companionship, e.g. pets, guide dogs, animals in sport, transport and work, animal experiments, farming of animals (including free range and factory farming), zoos, hunting, bull fighting, the fur and ivory trade, genetic modification and cloning of animals, treatment of wildlife;
|
Autumn 2 |
Religion and early life Within this topic pupils should be familiar with the key teachings from the religion(s) studied and should be aware of how religious leaders and other faith members have interpreted these teachings and applied them to life in society today.
|
Spring 1 |
Religion and war and peace
|
Spring 2 |
Religion and prejudice
|
Summer 1 |
Revision of all of year 11 topics and year 10 topics |
Summer 2 |
Revision and final Exam |