KS4 - Religious Education
Relgious Education GCSE
Short Course
Religious Studies provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.
Religious studies encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging. It enables pupils to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular to those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own. It promotes discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice.
From the QCA Framework for Religious Education.
Religious Studies is a compulsory subject for every student in a maintained school and Ratton School offers every student the opportunity to sit a short Course GCSE. This is a nationally recognised qualification that we know is valued by colleges and employers.
Alongside the GCSE, Religious Education delivers part of the C.O.P.E requirement with students producing a portfolio of work based on a current issue or belief system. At all times students are encouraged to think for themselves and learn to justify their opinions.
Content
Students study 4 Modules which are assessed in the final exam. Students learn about responses to ethical or philosophical questions from religious and non-religious points of view.
All students will take this Course as part of the legal requirement to continue study in RE through to the end of Key Stage 4.
The Religious Education Short Course GCSE followed by the students will give them opportunities to:
i Acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of the beliefs, values and traditions of one or more religions.
ii Consider the influence of the beliefs, values and traditions associated with one or more religions.
iii Consider religious and other responses to moral issues.
iv Identify, investigate and respond to fundamental questions of life raised by religion and human experience.
Content
Students study four modules, two in Year 10 and two in Year 11. There is no coursework, although two written pieces of work will be completed as part of the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (COPE).
The modules are:
1- Year 10 - Medical Ethics
Students will explore religious and secular responses to abortion, euthanasia, fertility treatment and genetic engineering.
2 - GOOD AND EVIL
Issues to be addressed
This Topic is concerned with the ways in which religions understand the nature and origins
of good and evil, and the ways in which religious believers cope with problems of suffering including;
• An understanding of ideas about supernatural forces of good and evil
• Religious approaches to the question of why there is evil and suffering in the world
• Understandings of ways of coping with suffering
• Religious approaches to the purpose of moral behaviour
3 - Year 11 - The Nature of God
This unit investigates ultimate questions on the nature of God and belief. Students explore the traditional arguments for the existence of God, and how religious people respond to the problem of suffering. Views of the roles of meals and women.
4 - Year 11 - Religion and Equality
Students will explore the Christian teachings on the status and role of men and women. Response to racial harmony and religious freedom will be studied in the context of Britain as a multi-cultural, multi-faith society.
Learning and Teaching Methods
A variety of strategies will be used, including class teaching, discussion, group work, role-play and individual study. Outside speakers will also be invited to speak to students.
Homework
This will be set after each lesson (there may be 2-3 occasions per term when none is set).
A variety of tasks are set. They could include surveys, worksheets, personal written response and revision.
Ways in which Parents can help
Encourage and support students by encouraging them to think about issues related to RE that occur in the news.
Encourage students to access additional resources through the Internet on sites as http://re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk or on the BBC Bytesize website.
Suggested Materials
Any newspaper/magazine articles students read which relate to any of the topics studied could be brought to School to keep in their folders.
Number of Lessons and their Length
One lesson per week for 1 hour.
Assessment
Informal and formal assessment will aim to test a student’s ability to:
• Recall, select and organise knowledge of the syllabus content
• Describe, analyse and explain the relevance of different religions
• Evaluate different responses to religious and moral issues.
Types of Assessment include:
• Checking and marking assignments
• End of module mock examination questions
• Oral questioning
At the end of the course, students may take one written paper. Students will be required to answer one question from each of the four modules.
The full range of G – A* grades will be awarded.
AT KEY STAGE 4 YOU ARE STUDYING THE TOPICS LISTED BELOW- ‘FC’ MEANS ONLY THE OPTION GROUP IS DOING THOSE TOPICS. ‘SC’ MEANS THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE STUDYING THAT TOPIC.
THE NATURE OF GOD (FC)
This module is concerned with the fundamental question of belief in a Divine Being.
RELIGION AND SCIENCE (FC)
This module is concerned with religious views about the origins of the world and of humanity, and the extent to which these views can be compatible with scientific theories. It also addresses religious understandings of the relationship between humanity and the rest of the planet.
DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE (SC)
This module is concerned with religious concepts of life after death.
GOOD AND EVIL (FC)
This module is concerned with the ways in which religions understand the nature and origins of good and evil, and the ways in which religious believers cope with problems of suffering.
RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS (SC)
This module is concerned with religious responses to ethical questions raised by human relationships.
RELIGION AND MEDICAL ETHICS (SC)
This module is concerned with religious responses to ethical questions raised by medical issues such as abortion and medical testing
RELIGION AND EQUALITY (FC)
This module is concerned with religious responses to moral issues related to equality.
RELIGION, POVERTY AND WEALTH (FC)
This Topic is concerned with religious responses to moral issues related to poverty and the use of money.
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