Page 40 - Seaford GCSE Options 2024

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GCSE Religious Studies
Religious Studies is an essential aspect of our social, moral, spiritual and cultural
development. Understanding how and why religious traditions and rituals are
formed enables the students to engage with the modern world around them.
Throughout history, religious worship has underpinned society and political
interaction.
The aim of GCSE RS is to unpick the past and analyse how religion still dominates
and guides society today. With 75% of the world’s population practising the top 5
main religions, religion is still a considerable influence in our daily lives, irrespective
of our own personal faith. Lessons are lively exchanges of opinion in a safe and
controlled environment; the students are able to question topics that may feel
taboo and discuss, with maturity and tolerance of others, why people harbour such
diverse views and how it is possible to work alongside each other, not just in the
classroom, but in society.
This course consists
of two components:
1. Religious Studies (50%
of the course; 1 hour
45-minutes written
examinations).
•
Christian Beliefs and
Teachings
•
Christian Practices
•
Islamic Beliefs and
Teaching
•
Islamic Practices
2. Thematic Studies (50%
of the course; 1 hour
45-minutes written
examinations).
•
Religious, Human
Rights and Social
Justice
•
Universal Declaration of
Human Rights; Racism;
Sexism; Homophobia;
Ageism; Ableism; Fair
Trade; Poverty and
Wealth; and Religious
Responses to these
topics.
•
Religion and Life
•
Creationism; The Big
Bang Theory; Evolution;
The Sanctity of Life;
Abortion; Assisted
Dying; Animal Rights;
Environmental
Stewardship; and
Religious Responses to
these topics.
•
Religion, Peace and
Conflict
•
Reasons for War; Just
War Theory; Lesser
and Greater Jihad;
Weapons of Mass
Destruction; Pacifism;
Peaceful and Violent
Protests; Terrorism;
Peace-making and
Reconciliation; and
Religious Responses to
these topics.
•
Religion, Crime and
Punishment
•
Reasons for Crime;
The Purposes
of Punishment;
The Purposes
of Punishment;
Capital and Corporal
Punishment;
The Principle of
Utility; Freewill and
Determinism; The
Problem of Evil; and
Religious Responses to
these topics.
Examination Board:
AQA
Head of Department:
Mr A Stark
“RS GCSE is the best thing that has happened in
my life…fact! I enjoy debating all parts of religion
with the class. It would be great to take RS further
into A Level here at Seaford College.”
George Apps