Page 44 - Sixth Form prospectus 2020

COURSE RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY

TITLE AND ETHICS

SPECIFIC ENTRY Grade 5 or above in GCSE English language or literature. It is not
essential to have studied religion, philosophy and ethics at GCSE; if you
REQUIREMENTS have studied the subject, a grade 5 or above at GCSE is required.

The type of student who is suited to this course is open minded,
enquiring, enthusiastic and interested in independent learning and
debating ultimate questions.
Year 12
Developments of religious thought: this includes an examination of human
nature, death and the afterlife, the nature of God, moral principles and moral
action with a specific focus on Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Philosophy: this includes a study of ancient Greek philosophy including Plato
and Aristotle, an examination of the body, soul, mind dilemma, philosophical
proofs based on observation and reason for the existence of God, religious
experience, and the problem of evil.
CONTENT OF Ethics: this involves a study of the normative ethical theories of natural law,
situation ethics, Kantian ethics and utilitarianism. Applied ethics involves a
COURSE
discussion of the sanctity and quality of life in relation to euthanasia, business
ethics and their relationship with the different ethical theories.
Year 13
Developments of religious thought: this includes pluralism and theology
which includes gender and society, secularisation and the responses of Freud
and Richard Dawkins, humanism and atheism, liberation theology and the
responses of Karl Marx. It has links to psychology and sociology.
Philosophy: this considers freewill and determinism and religious language
(negative, analogical and symbolic), Wittgenstein and logical positivism.
Ethics: this includes a study of ethical language (naturalism, intuitionism and
emotivism), Freud's psychological approach and Aquinas’ view on conscience
and sexual ethics.
EXAMINATIONS
OCR
AND Three 120 minute exams. Each paper has one knowledge based

ASSESSMENTS question and two analytical questions.
This course develops the ability to reflect on, select and deploy specified knowledge. To
identify, investigate and analyse questions and issues. To interpret and evaluate
SKILLS, LINKS philosophical and ethical concepts, issues, ideas, the relevance of arguments and the use
of scholars. This skills based subject is an excellent combination with English, history,
AND geography, psychology, sociology, sciences, maths and business. Our current A level
students come from a wide variety of subject disciplines. Religion, philosophy and ethics
PROGRESSION is well respected by universities as an established academic subject. It will lead to

numerous career opportunities: law, teaching, journalism, publishing, the police, health,
medicine, catering, and working with people.

Head of RPE: Mrs R Thomas
CONTACT
rachelthomas@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk