Philosophy of Religion and Ethics

Course summary

The AQA course provides the opportunity for students to explore ultimate questions about existence and morality. It covers a variety of relevant and contemporary themes that will inspire engaging classroom discussion and help students to develop the independent thinking, critical and evaluative skills sought by higher education and employers. Students will become familiar with the responses philosophers and religions have made to ultimate questions and are encouraged to formulate their own responses to such questions. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on critical analysis and the construction of balanced, informed arguments within the context of religious, philosophical and ethical awareness. COMPONENT 1: PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (3 HOUR EXAMINATION, 50% OF A-LEVEL) Section A - two compulsory questions In this section students will study a range of philosophical ideas, methods and issues. These include: Arguments for the existence of God. Evil and suffering. Religious Experience. Religious Language Miracles Self, death and the afterlife. Section B - two compulsory questions In this section students will explore different approaches to ethical decision making and apply ethical theories to a range of contemporary moral issues. Students will study the following: Normative ethical theories. The application of natural moral law, situation ethics and virtue ethics to: Issues of human life and death. Issues of non-human life and death. The meaning of right and wrong. Free will and moral responsibility. Conscience. COMPONENT 2: STUDY OF RELIGION & DIALOGUES (3 HOUR EXAMINATION, 50%) Section A - two compulsory two-part questions In this section students will explore the religious beliefs, teachings, values and practices of Christianity. The content includes: Sources of wisdom and authority. Christian beliefs about God. Beliefs about Self, death and the afterlife. Beliefs - good conduct/moral principles. Ways in which Christians express their religious identity. Christianity, gender & sexuality. Development in Christian thought, including feminist approaches. Christianity and Science. Christianity and secularization. Christianity, migration and religious pluralism. Section B: The dialogue between Christianity and philosophy - one unstructured synoptic question from a choice of two The content includes how far beliefs are reasonable and how consistent they are with other beliefs as well as the relevance of philosophical enquiry for religious faith. More information can be found in the syllabus. Section C: The dialogue between Christianity and ethics. One unstructured synoptic question from a choice of two The content includes Christian responses to deontological, teleological and character-based approaches to moral decision making, responses to human life and death and to wealth, tolerance and freedom of religious expression. More information can be found in the syllabus. WHY TAKE PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS? During the course students will develop many transferable skills that will be beneficial in further study, be it in Philosophy, Theology or Religion or any academic discipline that requires independent, critical, analytical and evaluative thinking. It is not a requirement that students have studied GCSE Religious Studies. Anyone who is interested in philosophical and ethical ideas and problems, is open minded, enquiring and enjoys discussion and challenge will enjoy this course. The course does involve reading and extended writing.