1) Being a Christian
2) Being a Muslim
3) Does God exist?
4) Religion in Action

What is GCSE Religious Studies all about?

The short course is about religion and life. You will have to take one unit that covers topics such as:

• Why some people believe in God and why others do not.
• Beliefs about life after death
• Abortion and Euthanasia
• Living together, marriage and Divorce
• The influence of religion on family life
• Gender and religion; the place of women in religions
• Religion in a multi-ethic and multi-faith society
• Religion and the media
• Religion and the problems of world poverty

What is the value of the course?

The short course in re will enable all students to acquire knowledge and develop understanding of the beliefs, values and traditions of one or more religions.  It will allow them to consider religious responses to moral issues and compare them to their own.
The course is designed for students with religious beliefs and those who are not religious at all and will hopefully provide an insight on issues that are both current and important for society today.

Aims

The Course gives students the opportunity to:

Acquire knowledge and develop understanding of the beliefs, values and traditions of one or more religions.
Consider the influence of the beliefs, values and traditions associated with one or more religions.
Consider religious and other responses to moral issues.
Identify, investigate and respond to fundamental questions of life raised by religion and human experience, including questions about the meaning and purpose of life.
Develop skills relevant to the study of religion. 

Assessment 

There will be a 2 Hour written paper at the end of the two-year programme. 
GCSE Entry Requirement
GCSE A*-C in Religious Studies and English.

Skills Required
An interest in religious studies from the short course GCSE is essential.  Students must have a lively and enquiring mind in order to look at various philosophical and ethical issues concerned with religious practice and belief.

The Religious Studies course concentrates on two main areas of study throughout AS and A2.  These are the Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics.

Units at AS

1) Foundation of the study of Religion- Influence on religious thought and ethical theory.
2) Philosophy of Religion 1- Arguments for the existence of God and challenges to religious believes.
3) Religious Ethics 1- Study of ethical theory and its application, e.g. medical ethics.

Units at A2

1) Philosophy of Religion 2- Concept of religious experience as well as distinctions between the body and soul.
2) Religious Ethics- Free will, the nature and role of having a conscience, and religious and practical ethics (right and wrong.)
3) Connections in Religious Studies- Looking at a variety of connecting ideas between philosophy, ethics and religion.

Coursework details
None- all assessment is written by Examination.