Page 39 - Kingham Hill School Sixth Form Prospectus

Course Catalogue A-Z

Theology
(OCR)

Pupils should consider this course if they enjoy discussing ideas, critical thinking, current
affairs and theology. They will consider the abstract issues, as well as practically apply their
knowledge to real issues in society today. This will make them informed citizens and capable
thinkers. Our cohort of Philosophy & Ethics pupils includes religious believers, agnostics and
atheists. The debates and sharpening of our thinking is enhanced by diverse views. Leavers
have gone on to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at university, and also medicine,
languages and law.
Theology at A level is listed among the most suitable subjects for consideration by Oxbridge
admissions. This is because the subject draws keen thinkers who express their ideas clearly
and prepares them to learn independently and to think carefully. Beyond preparation for
further study or a career, this subject will help pupils to have a “life well lived” marked by
virtue and inquisitive, independent learning.
Pupils study for three papers - one in Philosophy, one in Ethics and one in Theology. This
A level is fully linear, with public exams at the end of Year 13. In Philosophy, we consider
the origins of Western philosophy from Greek rationalism (Plato and Aristotle) to Hebrew
monotheism, we evaluate the classical arguments for the existence of God, the meaning of
language, the nature of human experience, the possibility of miracles, the logical plausibility
of belief in God, and the nature of life after death and consider the major challenges to
belief in God. In Ethics, the ethical theories of Aristotle, Kant, Bentham and Mill, Aquinas
and Fletcher form the background to the study of contemporary issues, sexuality, cloning,
abortion, euthanasia, economics and environmental ethics. In Theology, pupils will consider
both historical and contemporary thinkers in the Christian tradition, from Aquinas to Barth,
and dipping into liberation and feminist theology at the end of the course.
Entry requirements:
Grade 6 in GCSE Theology is preferred.

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Kingham Hill 2018 Sixth Form Prospectus A5 40pp.indd 39 10/11/2017 12:04