religious education

RE is a lively, vital subject where Key Stage 3 students start by looking at the nature of religion and faith. Areas of study include ‘ultimate questions’, the soul, values and beliefs. They will learn the key teachings, beliefs and practices of Christianity and the major world religions. In this way students develop an understanding of how religion affects the lives of people. Delivery of Religious Education at Skinners’ is guided by the Kent Agreed Syllabus.

A variety of activities and approaches enable students to develop a range of skills. Students are encouraged to engage in debate and to ask searching questions. In this way they will learn to think critically and to develop their analytical skills.

 

In Key Stage 4, all students take the subject for GCSE. Students are given the opportunity to explore ethical and moral issues including abortion, war and poverty and are challenged by philosophical issues concerning the nature of God, truth and spirituality. The analysis of religious and non-religious responses to moral issues allows the student to explore real life issues and encourages both awareness and empathy. This course is ideal preparation of students considering studying philosophy of religion and ethics at ‘A’ Level. Skills of reasoned argument and critical analysis are developed throughout the course. Religious Studies offers a varied, interesting and wide ranging syllabus, dealing with stimulating material of past and present concern.

The A-level course consists of four modules. All are taken as examination papers of one and half hours. Philosophy of Religion examines responses through the ages to some of the deepest and most profound questions that man has asked himself. The study of Ethics asks us how people establish their concept of right and wrong, of good and bad behaviour. From theory, we pass to practice, applying what we have learnt to current ethical dilemmas.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES –

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION & RELIGIOUS ETHICS

 

OCR      G571,G572    (AS)       G581,582         (A2)

 

“An unexamined life is not worth living” – Socrates 469 – 399 BCE

 

Religious Studies offers a varied, interesting and wide ranging syllabus, dealing with stimulating material of past and present concern.

 

Philosophy of Religion examines responses through the ages to some of the deepest and most profound questions that man has asked himself. The study of Ethics asks us how people establish their concept of right and wrong, of good and bad behaviour. From theory, we pass to practice, applying what we have learnt to current ethical dilemmas.

 

AS

·       An introduction to Greek thinkers – Aristotle and Plato.

·       God and Existence – you will examine the claims of scholars and philosophers to prove the existence of God.

·       Suffering and evil – why is there suffering in this world? Is this compatible with the supposed existence of a loving God?

·       The challenge of psychology – Are there other ways of interpreting religious faith and the source of morality?

·       What do we mean by right and wrong?

·       An introduction to the work and ideas of some great philosophers e.g. Aquinas, Mill, Kant.

·       Medical ethics – the problems of genetic engineering and embryo research; abortion, euthanasia and the right to a child.

 

 

 

A2

·       Miracles – do they happen today and how can they be interpreted?

·       Life after death – an examination of the different views.

·       Is there such a thing as free will?

·       Conscience – what is conscience and what does it do?

·       Environmental Ethics.

·       Sexual Ethics.

·       War, Peace and Justice.

Religious Studies is suitable for anyone with skills in the general arts subjects, who enjoys discussing topical issues and is prepared to think through his own views of life. Personal religious belief is not necessary but an open and enquiring mind is! It is not necessary for candidates to have taken the subject at GCSE.

 

The subject is highly suitable for all careers and Further and Higher Education courses where passes in unspecified subjects are required at A Level.

 

The syllabus covers many issues, scientific, technological, medical, sexual and overtly religious, all of which make the course relevant to life and we hope, interesting. The subject will allow you to display an awareness of the world in which we live and an understanding of the human problems involved. 

In promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral and social development, the pupils are encouraged to develop their own religious thinking and to understand and respect the opinions and cultures of others. The aims of the department are those of educational stimulation, reflection and enquiry; they are not those of conversion, nor even of agreement.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES –

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION & RELIGIOUS ETHICS

 

OCR                          (AS)                   (A)

 

“An unexamined life is not worth living” – Socrates 469 – 399 BCE

 

Religious Studies offers a varied, interesting and wide ranging syllabus, dealing with stimulating material of past and present concern.

 

Philosophy of Religion examines responses through the ages to some of the deepest and most profound questions that man has asked himself. The study of Ethics asks us how people establish their concept of right and wrong, of good and bad behaviour. From theory, we pass to practice, applying what we have learnt to current ethical dilemmas.

 

AS

·       An introduction to Greek thinkers – Aristotle and Plato.

·       God and Existence – you will examine the claims of scholars and philosophers to prove the existence of God.

·       Suffering and evil – why is there suffering in this world? Is this compatible with the supposed existence of a loving God?

·       The challenge of psychology – Are there other ways of interpreting religious faith and the source of morality?

·       What do we mean by right and wrong?

·       An introduction to the work and ideas of some great philosophers e.g. Aquinas, Mill, Kant.

·       Medical ethics – the problems of genetic engineering and embryo research; abortion, euthanasia and the right to a child.

 

A2

·       Miracles – do they happen today and how can they be interpreted?

·       Life after death – an examination of the different views.

·       Is there such a thing as free will?

·       Conscience – what is conscience and what does it do?

·       Environmental Ethics.

·       Sexual Ethics.

·       War, Peace and Justice.

Religious Studies is suitable for anyone with skills in the general arts subjects, who enjoys discussing topical issues and is prepared to think through his own views of life. Personal religious belief is not necessary but an open and enquiring mind is! It is not necessary for candidates to have taken the subject at GCSE.

 

The subject is highly suitable for all careers and Further and Higher Education courses where passes in unspecified subjects are required at A Level.

 

The syllabus covers many issues, scientific, technological, medical, sexual and overtly religious, all of which make the course relevant to life and we hope, interesting. The subject will allow you to display an awareness of the world in which we live and an understanding of the human problems involved. 

In promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral and social development, the pupils are encouraged to develop their own religious thinking and to understand and respect the opinions and cultures of others. The aims of the department are those of educational stimulation, reflection and enquiry; they are not those of conversion, nor even of agreement.