Ethics & Philosophy

As an alternative to statutory Religious Education at KS4, all pupils will follow a GCSE Short course in Ethics & Philosophy. Many employers, especially the Police, the armed forces, journalism, broadcasting & the caring professions regard this GCSE as a good qualification to take. The subject involves a considerable amount of thinking and challenges you to consider other peoples beliefs and values as well as the nature of society in which you live. It prepares you to work and deal with people of different culture and beliefs & provides. Ethics and Philosophy provides the opportunity to explore new ideas in a safe and questioning environment as well as enabling you to think for yourself about religious, moral, social, political and cultural issues.

Assessment

There is one tier of assessment covering the whole ability range Grades A*-G. Some students will be eligible to be entered for the ELQ - their needs will be assessed during the course of the year.

There is no course work - instead pupils will complete an end of course examination lasting two hours. Students will be expected to answer four questions, one from each of the different units studied in class. Homework is set as appropriate and there will be end of topic assessments throughout the course.

The written assignments completed during the year will be used to assess your progress and level of entry in the examination.

Modules

Students will study at least five of the following, allowing more flexibility & choice to complete the end of course examination:

Good and Evil
This module will address ideas about supernatural forces of good and evil. Pupils will explore the religious approaches to the question why evil and suffering are present in the world. They will look at the ways people cope with suffering and religious approaches to the purpose of moral behaviour.
The Nature of God
Students will investigate the nature of God, exploring the reasons people give for believing in God. The module will look at the ways in which God may be known according to believers; through scripture and God's intervention in the world.
Religion and Science
Pupils will compare and contast the religious and scientific ideas about the origins of the world and of humanity. The relationship between people and the rest of the planet will be examined, covering the environmental issues.
Death and the Afterlife
Students will look at the religious concepts of life and death. They will examine the distinction between 'body' and 'soul'. Pupils will also explore the issues about the afterlife and look at the ways in which funeral rites reflect belief about life after death.
Religion and Human Relationships
This module will cover the roles of men and women within the family. Students will look at the issues related to marriage and divorce. It will cover marriage ceremonies and the way these ceremonies reflect belief and provide guidance. Also issues related to sexual relationships and contraception will be explored.
The Nature of Belief
This topic covers the areas private and public worship. Students will look at prayer, meditation and contemplation. They will look at the use of food and fasting as a response to God and observe the use of art, architecture and music in worship. Students will also look at the different symbols used to express a belief in God.
Religion and Medical Ethics
Students will cover the attitudes towards abortion and fertility treatment. They will also explore the attitudes towards euthanasia and suicide. The module will also observer the issues relating to the use of animals in medical research.
Religion and Equality
Students will address the different views and teachings about prejudice and equality in relation to race and gender. They will look at the attitudes towards other religions and explore forgivness and reconciliation.
Religion, Poverty and Wealth
The module will look at the religious responses to moral issues relating to poverty and the use of money. Students will look at the attitudes towards the poor and the causes of hunger, poverty and disease.
Religion, Peace and Justice
Pupils will explore the religious responses to moral issues of war, peace, violence and justice. They will observe the different attitudes towards war, violence and pacifism. Students will also cover the issues crime, punishment and justice.
Each of these topics will be studied in relation to at least one of four religions: