Philosophy & Ethics

“Is a central part of Catholic sixth form education and should form the core of students’ experience of the Catholic mission in education[…] Within religious education, students should be offered the opportunity to critically reflect on the past and present influences that shape life and culture today. Religious education in the sixth form should offer the space to explore, question, evaluate, reflect on, and apply their own beliefs while respecting the beliefs of others. ”

Sixth Form Birmingham Diocesan CRE 2022

Church schools are places where religion and religious life matters: where Christianity, the reason for their existence, is given prominence and where religion in general is acknowledged as a significant influence in the world. In a Church school, there is a requirement to take religion seriously; particularly, but not exclusively, the Christian faith, but also the endeavour of religious life and examples of holy living, where they can be seen, and to understand why faith as a way of guiding lives means so much to so many.

RE provides a place for pupils to explore their own beliefs and to learn about (and from) Christianity, to build an understanding of world religions. It is a chance for pupils to consider their experiences of life in the light of some of the treasures of faith.

 

Core RE

The Key Stage 5 CORE is a statutory part of our curriculum. All pupils will attend 1hr weekly. This goes towards their overall attendance for university.

At Bishop Challoner Catholic College all pupils will be offered the opportunity to continue to study religion through CORE RE.  

Course aims:

  • To gain a depth of knowledge and understanding of Catholic values and teachings on issues such as human rights, poverty and medical ethics.
  • To enable students to reflect critically on ultimate questions of life and death, particularly in connection with euthanasia.
  • To develop the skills of critical discussion and debate by considering different viewpoints within and outside of the Christian tradition.
  • To encourage each student to explore, appreciate and respect both religious and ethical positions that exist within society.
  • To create opportunities for students to explore and conclude between religious belief, personal faith and lived experience.

Units of study are academic in rigour and will challenge pupils to use critical thinking and consider their own world views.

Topics of study include:

  • Liberation Theology- considering what this moment involves, its impact and the implications of its role in society
  • Pacem en Terris- revisiting the moral expectations of human beings through catechesis such as Papal encyclicals.
  • Faith & Society-An exploration of societal norms and implications with faith, including considerations of law and communities.
  • Morality & Ethics- exploration of varying moral and ethical systems through application in viewing dilemmas via case studies.
  • Science & Religion- contemplating the implications of believing in science and faith (or not…)
  • Big Philosophical Questions- considering viewpoints on the meaning and purpose behind all walks of life and the implications of thinking that way.

 

Useful Links

Philosophy Ninja: Philosophy Ninja

Closer to Truth: Closer To Truth (podbean.com)

 

A-Level

The Key Stage 5 curriculum will continue to follow the EDUQAS- Religious Studies Route A: Study of a Religion- Christianity.

Religious Studies at A –Level places an emphasis on disciplinary knowledge and it is sub-divided into Theology, Philosophy and Ethics.

Each of these disciplines will be subject to the personal world-view of the student which, itself, requires academic rigour to reach a workable level of awareness. In other words, each student should bring to their learning a conscious awareness of their own world-view, applying critical thinking and analysis in articulation and in writing.

Overview

Component 1

Study of a Religion

Option A: Christianity
Theme 1: Religious figures & Sacred texts
Theme 2: Religious Concepts & religious Life.
Theme 3: Significant Social & historical developments in religious thought.
Theme 4: Religious practices & religious identity.

 

Component 1 exam is 120 minutes and comprise of 33.5% of the qualification.

Learners will be expected to answer one question from Section A out of a choice of two and one question from Section B out of a choice of three in this component. Questions can be taken from any area of the specification.

Component 2

Philosophy of Religion
Theme 1: Arguments for the existence of God.
Theme 2: Challenges to religious belief.

Theme 3: Religious experience.
Theme 4: Religious language.

Component 2 exam is 120 minutes and comprise of 33.5% of the qualification.

Learners will be expected to answer one question from Section A out of a choice of two and one question from Section B out of a choice of three in this component. Questions can be taken from any area of the specification.

Component 3

Religion and Ethics
Theme 1: Ethical thought.
Theme 2: Deontological ethics.
Theme 3: Teleological Ethics.

Theme 4: Determinism & freewill.
 

Component 3 exam is 120 minutes and comprise of 33.5% of the qualification.

Learners will be expected to answer one question from Section A out of a choice of two and one question from Section B out of a choice of three in this component. Questions can be taken from any area of the specification.

 

Useful attachments for key stage 5:

Past Papers
AS and A Level Religious Studies | Eduqas