
OUR DEPARTMENT AIMS
The aim of Religious Studies is that it should encourage learners to be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, satisfying and worthwhile course of study that challenges pupils and equips them to lead constructive lives in the modern world.
RS should enable learners to:
- Adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion.
- Explore religions and beliefs, reflect on fundamental questions, engage with them intellectually and respond personally.
- Enhance their spiritual and moral development, and contribute to their health and wellbeing.
- Enhance their personal, social and cultural development, their understanding of different cultures locally, nationally and in the wider world, and to contribute to social and community cohesion.
- Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the study of religion, and relate it to the wider world.
- Reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in light of their learning.
RS provides learners with the opportunity to:
- Develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of religion by exploring the significance and impact of beliefs, teachings, sources, practices, ways of life and forms of expressing meaning.
- Express their personal responses and informed insights on fundamental questions and issues about identity, belonging, meaning, purpose, truth, values and commitments.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT KEY STAGE 3
Pupils study the religions of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism through the following topics (from the Rhondda Cynon Taff – Locally Agreed Syllabus):
- Leaders and Texts
- Judaism
- Islam
- Looking For God
- Worship and Ritual
- Journey of Life
- ‘Is it Fair?’
RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT KEY STAGE 4
All pupils follow the WJEC Specification B, Option A (non-coursework) option for Short Course GCSE, and WJEC Specification B, Option B (non-coursework) is followed by pupils studying for Full Course GCSE. Pupils sit a 1 hour 45 minute examination in Year 11 for Short Course GCSE. Pupils who are studying Full Course GCSE will sit a further 1 hour 45 minute examination. There is no coursework in Religious Studies.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT KEY STAGE 5
Pupils follow the WJEC AS/A Level specifications. For AS, the units of study are: ‘An Introduction to Religion and Ethics and the Philosophy of Religion’ and ‘An Introduction to the Study of Religion – Christianity’.
‘An Introduction to the Study of Religion – Christianity’ course content:
- Theme 1 – Religious figures and sacred texts (part 1)
- Theme 2 – Religious concepts
- Theme 3 – Religious life
- Theme 4 – Religious practices that shape religious identity (part 1)
‘An Introduction to Religion and Ethics and the Philosophy of Religion’ course content:
Ethics:
- Theme 1 – Ethical Thought
- Theme 2 – Aquinas’ Natural Law – a religious approach to ethics
- Theme 3 – Situation Ethics – a religious approach to ethics
- Theme 4 – Utilitarianism – a non-religious approach to ethics
Philosophy:
- Theme 1 – Arguments for the existence of God – inductive
- Theme 2 – Arguments for the existence of God – deductive
- Theme 3 – Challenges to religious belief (part 1) – the problem of evil and suffering
- Theme 4 – Religious experience (part 1)
For A Level, the units of study followed are ‘Philosophy of Religion’ and ‘Human Experience (Life, Death and Life after Death)’.
‘Philosophy of Religion’ course content:
- Is religious faith rational?
- Is religious language meaningful?
- Is religious faith compatible with scientific evidence?
- Are we free beings?
Human Experience course content: Pupils have to answer a two-part question on ‘Life, Death and Life after Death’ in the examination.