OLA 6th Religious Studies
“This is your last chance: after this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends; you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember all I’m offering is the truth, nothing more” Morpheus, ‘The Matrix’
“The unexamined life is not worth living” Socrates
Awarding body: OCR
Specification: H573
Why study A Level Religious Studies?
Answers to this question may be because:-
• You want to find answers to some of life’s big questions
• You enjoy debating and putting forward arguments for your point of view.
What is Religious Studies all about?
The specification consists of three parts:-
• Philosophy of Religion
• Religion and Ethics
• Developments in Christian thought
The course is a two year A Level culminating in three two-hour examinations.
Philosophy of Religion
Learners will study:
• ancient philosophical influences
• the nature of the soul, mind and body
• arguments about the existence or nonexistence of God
• the nature and impact of religious experience
• the challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil
• ideas about the nature of God
• issues in religious language
Philosophy of Religion (01) 120 marks 2 hour written paper, 33.3% of total A Level
Religion and Ethics
Learners will study:
• normative ethical theories
• the application of ethical theory to two contemporary issues of importance • ethical language and thought • debates surrounding the significant idea of
• conscience
• sexual ethics and the influence on ethical thought of developments in religious beliefs
Religion and Ethics (02) 120 marks 2 hour written paper, 33.3% of total A Level
Developments in Religious thought
Learners will study:
• religious beliefs, values and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and in the contemporary world
• sources of religious wisdom and authority
• practices which shape and express religious identity, and how these vary within a tradition
• significant social and historical developments in theology and religious thought – including pluralism and the rise of secularism
• key themes related to the relationship between religion and society including Gender and theology and Liberation Theology and Marxist thought
2 hour written paper
What will I gain from studying Religious Studies? Students following this course gain:
• The ability to think logically and to analyse the views of others
• The ability to put forward your own opinion both orally and in writing
• An appreciation of the effect of religion in our modern world
• The opportunity to think about your own views of religion and what is right and wrong and to decide whether they are reasonable.
Who can join the course?
Anyone who:
• Has an interest in some of the issues raised above. The course is Christian based, but you do not need to have a religious faith.
• Is ready to have their ideas challenged.
• Is prepared to work hard – the concepts can be hard, and some days you will really need to persevere in order to succeed.
Where can Religious Studies lead?
• The most obvious degrees are Theology and Philosophy
• Many people go on to the ministry or to be teachers (but not the majority!)
• An understanding of ethical issues is required in many professions: Law, accountancy, banking, medicine, anything involving people, and so on
• The ability to think logically and analytically is a vital skill for all career paths
• Universities are often very impressed with candidates who have done Religious Studies because it shows they have the ability to think
What other subjects does Religious Studies go with?
• You can find some topics or skills that complement any of the other options
• Links have been made with subjects from all over the curriculum. Remember – Religious Studies offers you a breadth of study that is unique to the subject.
Preparatory work for studying Religious Studies in the Sixth Form
Watch videos on crash course philosophy- to be found on YouTube. You can watch the matrix. To begin reading around the subject.