Religious Studies

Course summary

The OCR A Level in religious studies will build on the knowledge, understanding, and skills established at the GCSE level. Learners will be introduced to a more advanced approach to religious studies and will develop a deeper understanding of the beliefs, teachings, and philosophy they study. The course will cover three components; philosophy of religion, religion and ethics, and developments in Christian thought. In the philosophy of religion, learners will study philosophical issues and questions raised by religion and belief. These include arguments regarding the existence or non-existence of God, the nature and influence of religious experience, and the problems of evil and suffering. They will also explore philosophical language and thought, through significant concepts and the works of key thinkers, illustrated in issues or debates in the philosophy of religion. Religion and ethics are characterized by the study of ethical language and thought, with an exploration of key concepts and the works of influential thinkers. Ethical theory will also be applied to issues of importance; namely euthanasia, business ethics, and sexual ethics.