THE ECCLESBOURNE SCHOOL

Key Stage 3   |    Key Stage 4   |    Key Stage 5

Exam Board: OCR

Contact: Mrs H. Green

Course Overview

If you choose to study RS at Ecclesbourne you'll be encouraged to develop a real interest and enthusiasm for the study of religion.

In the first year of A level, you will study three areas; a world religion; Buddhism; the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. The Buddhism topic covers the life of the Buddha, his teachings and the community of Buddhists including Buddhist monks and nuns. The Philosophy of Religion course includes arguments for the existence of God, Religious Experience and the problem of evil and suffering. The Ethics course includes Natural Law, Situation Ethics, Kantian Ethics and Utilitarianism and then applied ethics to two topics; euthanasia and Business ethics.

In the second year of A level you will build on these three areas. For Buddhism, this includes Buddhism in China and Japan as well as Buddhism in the West. For the Philosophy of Religion course, this includes Religious Language and 20th century philosophy and for the Ethics, this includes Meta - ethical theories such as naturalism and intuitionism, conscience and sex ethics. All of this will add even greater breadth and depth to your studies.

Visits include Amaravati Theravada Buddhist monastery, the Tara centre and Throssel Hole Zen priory as well as attendance at various Philosophy of Religion and Ethics conferences as and when they arise. Every two to three years there is the possibility of a long haul foreign trip connected with our courses.

Entry Requirements:

5 GCSES 4-9 or A*-C to include Maths and English Lang or Lit Grade 5

Where can RS take me?

A variety of degrees are available to you following on from an RS A Level, but could be essential if you wish to study RS, theology or philosophy. Some RS students go into professions directly related to religion, but others choose to go into social care, education, youth work, counseling or jobs in the world of business.

Assessment

If you have any questions or queries relating to the Religious Studies curriculum please email headofhumanities@ecclesbourne.derbyshire.sch.uk for more information.