What will I gain from doing this course

Aims/Objectives

What will I do

Synopsis of Subject

• In depth study of Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics, including applied and normative ethics
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of connections between different areas of study and their relationship to specified aspects of human experience.

Aims
Students are encouraged to:

• develop their understanding, interest and enthusiasm for philosophical approaches to study and relate it to the wider world
• treat the subject as an academic discipline by developing knowledge, understanding and skills
• adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion
• Reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes

Course Content

Style of Teaching and Learning

Subject Content/Assessment

AS level students take:

• Unit G571: Philosophy of Religion
  (1 hour 30 minutes examination; 50% of final AS grade; 25% of A2) Ancient Greek influences of Philosophy of Religion, Judaeo-Christian influences on religion, traditional arguments for the existence of God and arguments against the existence of God (science and religion).
  
• Unit G572 - Religious Ethics
  (1 hour 30 minute examination; 50% of final AS grade; 25% of A2)
  Ethical theories - Utilitarianism, Natural Law, Kant, Absolutism
  Applied Ethics - War and Peace, Euthanasia, Abortion, Genetics.

At A2 level students take:

• G581 - Philosophy of Religion
  (1 hour 30 minute examination; 25% of A2 grade)
  Religious language, religious experiences, the nature of God, life after death and miracles.
  
• G582 - Religious Ethics (1 hour 30 minute examination; 25% of A2 grade)
  Meta-ethics, freewill and determination, conscience, virtue ethics, business and environmental ethics, sexual ethics.
  

AS level is assessed at standard between GCSE and Advanced level (A2) and form 50% of the full Advanced level GCE.

What support will I receive

Where can I get further information

At AS and A2, the Philosophy paper is sat in January.

Links to Higher Education, Careers and Employment
Develops a wide range of transferable skills recognised by employers and higher education as being of great value:

• collecting, synthesising and interpreting information and evidence
• communication
• logical thought
• complements other arts based subjects eg History and English as well as expanding on issues in Science (Genetics, medical ethics, science/creationism debate) and Business Studies
• the ability to think critically and empathise with others is highly regarded for those wishing to study Medicine, Law, Journalism, Social Work, Politics, Teaching ... in fact anywhere where you would be working with other people, needing to put together coherent arguments and need to think on your feet.