You will be studying OCR A Level Religious studies - the specification can be here |
Overview
Religious Studies offers students the opportunity to question the philosophical and ethical ideas that are present within the British religious tradition. These are important as, even if we are not from this tradition, or any tradition at all, they inform and shape the society and the values that we live by. Everyday life, from newspaper articles to social media, from arts and literature to celebrity culture reflects these dilemmas of thought. These problems have been the source for some of the most influential and persistent of human questions; how should we live? What are we here for? Are we free? Is there a purpose to it all?
Course Outline
Unit 1 – Philosophy of Religion – This unit explores the following issues:
• Ancient philosophical influences
• Arguments about the existence or non-existence of God
• The nature and impact of religious experience
• The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil
• The nature of the soul, mind and body
• The possibility of life after death
• Ideas about the nature of God
• Issues in religious language.
Unit 2 – Religion and Ethics – This unit explores the following issues:
• Normative ethical theories
• The application of ethical theory to two contemporary issues of importance
• Ethical language and thought
• Debates surrounding the significant ideas of conscience and free will
• The influence on ethical thought and its developments in religious beliefs and the philosophy of religion
Unit 3 – Developments in Buddhist Thought – This unit explores the following issues:
• Religious beliefs, values, and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and in the contemporary world
• Sources of religious wisdom and authority
• Practices which shape and express religious identity, and how these vary within Christianity
• Significant social and historical developments in theology
• Key themes related to the relationship between religion and society.
Assessment
No Coursework
Examination (100%) - 3 x 2 hour paper
Examining Board – OCR.
Special Entry Requirements
None. Our standard entry requirements apply.
Prohibited Options
None.
Career and Progression Opportunities
Religious Studies is of use to those students wanting to carry on into higher education – particularly to those thinking of careers in Media, Law, Politics, Social work, Teaching and Community Work.
Religious Studies offers students the opportunity to question the philosophical and ethical ideas that are present within the British religious tradition. These are important as, even if we are not from this tradition, or any tradition at all, they inform and shape the society and the values that we live by. Everyday life, from newspaper articles to social media, from arts and literature to celebrity culture reflects these dilemmas of thought. These problems have been the source for some of the most influential and persistent of human questions; how should we live? What are we here for? Are we free? Is there a purpose to it all?
Course Outline
Unit 1 – Philosophy of Religion – This unit explores the following issues:
• Ancient philosophical influences
• Arguments about the existence or non-existence of God
• The nature and impact of religious experience
• The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil
• The nature of the soul, mind and body
• The possibility of life after death
• Ideas about the nature of God
• Issues in religious language.
Unit 2 – Religion and Ethics – This unit explores the following issues:
• Normative ethical theories
• The application of ethical theory to two contemporary issues of importance
• Ethical language and thought
• Debates surrounding the significant ideas of conscience and free will
• The influence on ethical thought and its developments in religious beliefs and the philosophy of religion
Unit 3 – Developments in Buddhist Thought – This unit explores the following issues:
• Religious beliefs, values, and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and in the contemporary world
• Sources of religious wisdom and authority
• Practices which shape and express religious identity, and how these vary within Christianity
• Significant social and historical developments in theology
• Key themes related to the relationship between religion and society.
Assessment
No Coursework
Examination (100%) - 3 x 2 hour paper
Examining Board – OCR.
Special Entry Requirements
None. Our standard entry requirements apply.
Prohibited Options
None.
Career and Progression Opportunities
Religious Studies is of use to those students wanting to carry on into higher education – particularly to those thinking of careers in Media, Law, Politics, Social work, Teaching and Community Work.
