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Religious Studies: Theology and Ethics

A Level / 2 year Course / EDUCAS

This A Level provides students with the opportunity to study a diverse range of philosophical, ethical and religious viewpoints. Throughout the course, students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the substance behind religious belief and its impact on society, and are introduced to major philosophical and ethical problems.

More on this course

This A Level has three components:

  • The study of a major religion
  • The philosophy of religion
  • Ethics.

As part of the ethics paper, students will learn a range of approaches including Natural Law, Aristotelian Virtue Ethics, Ethical Egoism and Utilitarianism. The philosophy of religion component surveys the different arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil and the psychology of religion. At DSFC, the chosen major religion is Christianity which is studied in terms of four distinct themes:

  • Religious figures
  • Religious concepts
  • Religious life
  • Religious practices.

Teaching and learning methods

The aim of this course is to encourage students to reflect on, select and apply specified knowledge of religion and philosophical thought. Students will develop skills which will allow them to interpret and critically evaluate religious concepts and construct well-informed and reasoned ethical arguments for a range of controversial issues which society faces in the modern world. Students are encouraged to build and share their own opinions, which also prepares them for the examination questions.

Assessment

Students will be assessed through three separate examinations, each lasting two hours. Students write two kinds of essay:

  • AO1 questions, which assess knowledge and understanding
  • AO2 questions, which assess analysis and evaluation.

Consequently, the focus is on the ability to successfully analyse and evaluate topics from the specification.

Skills and Careers Insight

A Level Religious Studies: Theology and Ethics provides you with critical thinking, analytical, and reflective skills, as you explore key theological concepts, ethical dilemmas, and the impact of religion on society. You'll study various religious beliefs, moral philosophies, and ethical frameworks, while learning to debate and form well-supported arguments on complex issues. These skills are valuable in careers such as law, social work, education, journalism, international relations, and public policy. Whether you want to become a religious studies teacher, ethical consultant, or work in social justice or interfaith dialogue, A Level Religious Studies offers a strong foundation for a career that involves problem-solving, communication, and an understanding of diverse perspectives.

Subject Combination

An A Level in Religious Studies enables students to develop a range of broad transferable skills and so will be beneficial to a variety of academic pathways. The subject works well with humanities subjects such as English, sociology, and psychology, but many other varied combinations have been made in the past.

English Language

Sociology

Psychology

Classical Civilisation

Philosophy

Politics

History

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Previous school - Hermitage Academy