Religious Studies

COURSE TITLE

GCSE Religious Studies

EXAM BOARD
AQA

COURSE CONTENT
A summary of the course content: Paper 1 – The Study of Two Religions Beliefs and Teachings Christianity: the nature of God; beliefs about Jesus; life after death. Hinduism: the nature of God; avatars; cosmology; human life:karma, samsara and moksha; life after death; key beliefs in Dvaita and Advaita tradition and Sanatana dharma Practices: Christianity: Prayer and worship; sacraments; festivals; the role of the Church Hinduism: worship, samskaras; festivals; the four paths of yoga; pilgrimage and seva Paper 2 – Thematic Studies Relationships and Families Marriage; divorce; sex outside marriage; Contraception; the nature of purpose of families Religion and Life Origins of the world; the environment and animal rights; abortion and euthanasia Religion, peace and conflict Reasons for war; just war; holy war; pacifism; violent protest; weapons of mass destruction Religion, crime and punishment Types of crime; reasons for crime; aims of punishment; forgiveness; the death penalty Each theme considers the issues raised from Christian and Hindu religious points of view.

COURSE CONTENT

A summary of the course content:

Paper 1 – The Study of Two Religions

Beliefs and Teachings

Christianity: the nature of God; beliefs about Jesus; life after death.
Hinduism: the nature of God; avatars; cosmology; human life:karma, samsara and moksha; life after death; key beliefs in Dvaita and Advaita tradition and Sanatana dharma

Practices:

Christianity: Prayer and worship; sacraments; festivals; the role of the Church
Hinduism: worship, samskaras; festivals; the four paths of yoga; pilgrimage and seva

Paper 2 – Thematic Studies

Relationships and Families

Marriage; divorce; sex outside marriage;

Contraception; the nature of purpose of families

Religion and Life

Origins of the world; the environment and animal rights;

abortion and euthanasia

Religion, peace and conflict

Reasons for war; just war; holy war; pacifism;

violent protest; weapons of mass destruction

Religion, crime and punishment

Types of crime; reasons for crime; aims of punishment;

forgiveness; the death penalty

Each theme considers the issues raised from Christian and Hindu religious points of view.

OVERVIEW OF ASSESSMENT
There is no coursework / controlled assessment for GCSE RS. There are two exams at the end of Year 11: Paper 1: The Study of Two Religions Paper 2: Thematic Studies Each paper is one hour forty-five minutes long, and it is worth 50% of the GCSE. Each paper has a range of multiple choice, short answer, and essay-style questions.

OVERVIEW OF ASSESSMENT

There is no coursework / controlled assessment for GCSE RS. There are two exams at the end of Year 11:

Paper 1: The Study of Two Religions
Paper 2: Thematic Studies

Each paper is one hour forty-five minutes long, and it is worth 50% of the GCSE. Each paper has a range of multiple choice, short answer, and essay-style questions.

TEACHERS
Ms N. Skegro Mrs. E. Andrews Mrs. M. Agarwal Mr. C. Weyers Mrs. A. Kahn

PROGRESSION
GCSE Religious Studies develops your skills of logical reasoning, the use and interpretation of evidence, evaluation and communication. It is useful for many careers, including: law, medicine, media / journalism, business, teaching, social work. If you are intending to take Religious Studies at A Level, GCSE RS will be a useful preparation for this course.

PROGRESSION

GCSE Religious Studies develops your skills of logical reasoning, the use and interpretation of evidence, evaluation and communication. It is useful for many careers, including: law, medicine, media / journalism, business, teaching, social work.

If you are intending to take Religious Studies at A Level, GCSE RS will be a useful preparation for this course.