Specification:

OCR

Qualification type:

A Level

Entry criteria (GCSE grades):

5 in English or PRE GCSE 5

Subject description:

A subject for those who think and question the norm and status quo. We will explore the meaning of reality and human behaviour. If you like the question ‘Why?’, this is the subject for you!

How are you examined:

Three 2-hour exams

Course details

It is divided into 3 sections, all worth the same in terms of grade distribution.

Philosophy of Religion:

• - Ancient philosophical influences - Plato and Aristotle
• - Body, Mind and Soul
• - Arguments for the existence of God
• - Religious experience
• - Challenge to belief: Problem of evil
• - Nature of God
• - Language: Speaking about the unspeakable.

Religion and ethics

The study of how we should make ethical decisions.

• - Utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, Natural law and Situation ethics
• - Applied ethics – euthanasia, business ethics and sexual ethics
• - Meta-ethics – the meaning of ethical language
• - Conscience

Development of Christian thought (DCT)

The study of controversial Christian theology

• - Christian moral principles
• - Who was Jesus Christ?
• - Knowledge of God
• - Augustine’s teachings on human nature
• - Death and afterlife

Post-18 opportunities:

• - This A Level can be used to access a wide range of higher education courses. It has particular relevance for those entering the caring professions and can also be used to gain entry to careers involving dealing with the public generally, e.g. law, commerce, public relations, journalism medicine, education, politics and theology. It is widely respected by universities. Moreover, the opportunity to explore the biggest questions in the universe with others means that post-18 you will never see the world the same way again!

Teacher responsible:   Miss E Elmer.