Religious Studies: Theology, Philosophy and Ethics

Are you looking for an academic and stimulating course that looks at interesting ideas and questions, develops analytical and evaluative skills and encourages independent and lateral thinking that is valued by the best universities?

Entry Requirements

6 in GCSE religious studies          If GCSE RS has not been taken, students will be accepted on to the course dependent on an interview with the head of religious studies

Assessment

Assessment is through three two-hour examinations.  There is no coursework in this subject.

A qualification in religious studies will be of benefit to students wishing to enter higher education. It is praised as a subject that opens doors to a range of university courses.  In recent years, students studying the subject have gone on to university to study a range of subjects, including business management and marketing, biomedical sciences, drama, social history, computing and business studies… as well as education, theology and philosophy.  It is a foundation for careers in law, the sciences, teaching, business, journalism and much more.  

When studying philosophy you will explore how thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle have answered philosophical questions and how their views have been challenged or developed since then. Is there any more to the world than just the physical? What are the arguments for God’s existence? What challenges are there to religious belief?

In ethics you will investigate a range of ethical theories to work out what sits behind somebody’s decision-making.  You also study the idea of the conscience and modern developments in ethical thought. Ethics is brought to reality through the exploration of medical and social issues.

In the theology part of the course you will engage with major themes in the development of two thousand years of Christian thought. What are humans actually like?  What happens when we die? Is it possible to know God? Was Jesus the Son of God or just a teacher?  What are the implications of claiming to be a Christian? How should Christianity relate to other religions or a modern world that is moving away from religion? What is the impact of social injustice and feminism?

The course builds on what is covered at GCSE but, rather than trying to explain what people believe, at A-level we try to explain why people think the way they do – really getting into their heads.

Does God exist? Can humans ever describe God? How do I work out right and wrong? What is goodness anyway? Did the Fall mess everything up? Does feminism work?