Page 31 - Year 10 Course Brochure 2023-2025

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

OPTION OPTION

COURSE CONTENT Religious Studies GCSE will give you the chance to explore some of the big
questions of life through Islam, Christianity, and your own personal opinion. In Year
10 you will study two religions and Year 11 we explore religious and non-religious
ideas about four modern-day ethical themes.
• The Islam unit covers the following topics:
The six articles of faith, Islamic teachings about life, human nature and destiny,
Akhirah, Islamic worship and festivals, and Islamic ethics – what is considered right
and wrong in Islam.

• The Christianity unit covers the following topics:
The nature of God, beliefs about creation, salvation and the afterlife, Jesus,
Christian worship and festivals, pilgrimage, the role of the Church in the world, and
Christian work to end injustice and persecution.
• The Ethics unit covers:
Islamic, Christian and non-religious arguments about the following modern-day
moral issues:
– Relationships and families: types of marriage and partnership, marriage and
divorce, sex and contraception, men and women, raising children.
– Peace and conflict: peace and pacifism, reconciliation, protest, terrorism, holy war,
modern conflict and nuclear weapons, how to treat victims of war.
– Crime and punishment: good and evil actions, reasons for crime, the death
penalty, forgiveness, the treatment of criminals, the purpose of punishment.
– Human rights and social justice: human rights and responsibilities, equality and
freedom, prejudice and discrimination, wealth and poverty, charity, social justice.

APPROACH TO TEACHING Lessons in GCSE Religious Studies often involve lively debate about relevant topics.
AND LEARNING For example, should countries have the death penalty? What should be done about
terrorism? How can we work to end racism? Classroom activities will be varied and
interesting and will include discussion, group-work, research, role-play, ICT
activities, presentations and creative tasks, as well as reading, interpreting and
writing.
ASSESSMENT The GCSE is assessed through two written exams at the end of Year 11.
There is no coursework or controlled assessment. Each exam lasts 1 hour 45
minutes, and is 50% of the GCSE.

FURTHER INFORMATION The skills acquired in Religious Studies will be beneficial for many future careers,
especially those that require you argue logically, work with people, or solve
problems. This includes law, business, teaching, finance, politics, counselling and the
Civil Service. Many university courses contain an element of theology, philosophy or
ethics, for example, medicine or PPE.

EXAM BOARD AND 8062 (A)
SPECIFICATION www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062

CONTACT Mr T Churchill
Head of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics
churchill.t@millfieldschool.com

YEAR 10/11 COURSE GUIDE 29