Religion, Philosophy & Ethics

If you’re interested in questioning the nature of existence, exploring different worldviews, and understanding the ethical frameworks that guide human behaviour, this course will challenge and inspire you.  

What You Will Learn About:  

• Christian beliefs and practices that shape religious identity, including topics like salvation, the nature of God, and the role of the Church.  

• Major philosophical questions like the existence of God, the nature of the soul, and the problem of evil.  

• Ethical theories such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, and how they apply to real-world moral dilemmas.  

• Key figures and ideas in philosophy, including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and how their ideas continue to influence modern thought.  

Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics will not only deepen your understanding of religious and philosophical traditions but also help you develop critical thinking, reasoning, and debate skills that will serve you well in a wide range of future careers.  

Course Content & Assessment

Component 1: Philosophy of Religion (33% of course) 

Key topics include: 

• Arguments for the existence of God: Explore classic philosophical arguments, like the Ontological and Cosmological Arguments.

• Challenges to religious beliefs: Understand the Problem of Evil and why some question the existence of God.

• Religious experience: Study different types of religious experiences and their validity.

• Religious language: Examine how the philosophy of religion has influenced how we talk about God.

• Psychology and religion: Explore Freud and Jung’s views on belief in God. Is it innate, or just a product of our minds?

Component 2: Religion and Ethics (33% of course) 

Key topics include: 

• Ethical theories: Learn about different ways of thinking ethically, including Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, and Natural Law.

• Moral issues: Apply these ethical theories to real-world issues such as homosexuality, nuclear weapons, and other moral dilemmas.

• Free will vs determinism: Do we truly have free will, or are our actions determined by other factors?

Component 3: Study of Christianity (33% of course) 

Key topics include: 

• Religious figures and sacred texts: Study important figures like Jesus and explore key Christian texts, including different narratives of his birth.

• Christian doctrines: Learn about key Christian concepts such as atonement and the Trinity.

• Christian practices: Understand Christian rituals like Baptism, Eucharist, and how festivals are celebrated.

• Modern Christianity: Examine how Christianity has evolved and its relationship with modern society.

Assessment 

Each component is assessed by a 2-hour written exam, with two types of questions: 

• AO1 (Knowledge and Understanding): Show what you know about the topics.

• AO2 (Evaluation): Evaluate and discuss different perspectives, making your own reasoned arguments.

This course will help you engage with important philosophical and ethical issues, develop your critical thinking skills, and deepen your understanding of Christianity and other religions. 

Teaching

In Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics, you’ll benefit from being taught by two experienced teachers who bring different perspectives and expertise to the subject. The classes will be dynamic and varied, designed to engage you in both individual and collaborative learning. You’ll take part in whole group and small group discussions, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your ideas and challenge the views of others.  

You will also be encouraged to research different areas of the course independently and present your findings to the class, sparking stimulating debates and deepening your understanding. This will help you to develop your research, communication, and critical thinking skills, which are essential for the course.  

As an academic subject, you’ll be given further reading to expand your knowledge beyond the lessons, pushing you to explore and evaluate ideas on a deeper level. You will be challenged to develop your essay writing, justification skills, and the ability to think critically about complex philosophical and ethical questions.  

Each lesson is designed to be well-organised and engaging, helping you develop both your subject knowledge and essential academic skills. Whether you’re discussing the existence of God, ethical dilemmas, or the role of religion in society, you’ll be fully supported in building a solid understanding of the key topics.  

Your Future

An A-Level in Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics opens a wide range of possibilities for your future, offering a solid foundation for university courses in Religious Studies, Theology, and Philosophy. The interdisciplinary nature of this subject also makes it a great complement to other fields such as sociology, psychology, law, and medicine.  

While some graduates may pursue careers directly related to the subject, such as teaching or ministry work, many others find that the critical thinking, analytical skills, and ethical understanding developed in this course are highly valued in a variety of industries. Career paths could include roles in medicine, law, social work, education, journalism, or human resources management.  

Whatever your career aspirations, the skills and knowledge gained from studying Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics will help you engage with complex moral issues, communicate effectively, and approach problems from a thoughtful and informed perspective.  

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