The Religious Studies Department

Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11

In Year 10 students will study religious and non-religious perspectives on the following issues:

Belief in God

Why do some people believe in God? Why do other disagree?
We look at ideas about:

• The world
• The meaning of life
• Religious experiences
• Miracles
• Evil
• Suffering

Issues of Life and Death

What do people believe about when life begins and when it ends?
We look at ideas about:

• Abortion
• Euthenasia
• Afterlife

Marriage and the Family

What do people believe about how relationships should be conducted?
We look at ideas about:

• Co-habitation
• Marriage
• Faithfulness
• Adultery
• Sex before marriage
• Family life

Social Harmony

What do people believe about how society should work?
We look at ideas about:

• Equality
• Discrimination
• Multi-faith society
• Religious freedom
• Racial harmony

Religion and the Media

How is religion dealt with by the media?
We try to answer this through considering the representation of religious and moral issues in a study of:

• Films
• Soap operas
• Documentaries
• Newspapers

Students are encouraged to develop their own opinions on these issues whilst becoming aware of the diversity of opinions within society. This course, combined with the core Religious Education course, will lead to students achieving a GCSE in Religious Studies in the summer term of Year 10.

For the remainder of Key Stage 4 students move on to study a range of philosophical arguments and ethical theories, all with a religious perspective.
Topics covered include:

• The Design Argument for the existence of God
• The Cosmological Argument for the existence of God
• Problems of evil and suffering
• Philosophical debates about miracles
• The relationship between religion and morality
• Ethical theories: Utilitarianism and Situation Ethics
• Ethical dilemmas: Sexual Ethics, War and Peace

This course will enable students to develop further their knowledge, understanding and skills and an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to their learning. It will lead to students achieving an AS Level in Religious Studies by the end of Year 11.

Progression

This subject can currently be studied at A/S and A2 Level at Ely Sixth Form Centre.

KS4 Recommended Revision Guides

Please click here to download a copy of the Recommended Revision Guides PDF, compiled by the departments for KS4 students to help them select the best and most relevant Revision Guides for their GCSE courses.