The cardinal aim of the Department is to enable pupils to think and write theologically and, in the Sixth Form, philosophically and theologically. By introducing pupils to the ‘best that has been thought and said’ in the subject, they are exposed to the foundations of Western European Culture within the context of the Woodard, Anglican Foundation of the school.
The programme of study provides a sound introduction to a number of strands which are valuable in themselves, but also form a coherent whole for Sixth Form and beyond.
Many pupils will have studied the Common Entrance syllabus when they enter Shell (Year 9). In the Prep School they will have studied a syllabus based on the CE. They will have, therefore, studied the Old and New Testaments in some detail. They will have also been introduced to some world religions. Given this background, a new strand is introduced: Christianity. This will be taken as a short course GCSE from 2009.
At KS4, GCSE religious studies is not compulsory at Hurst. Nevertheless, an increasingly large number of pupils decide to specialise. In the Remove and the Fifth Form pupils study the Philosophy of Religion and Christian ethics. Should pupil decide to finish their studies at the end of the Shell year they will nonetheless have a firm foundation for study at A Level or beyond. Should a pupil decide to take a GCSE then he or she will be well prepared indeed.
At A Level there are two choices: Religious Studies, where students study Philosophy of Religion and Ethics and Philosophy where Theory of Knowledge and Political Philosophy are studied as well as a classic set text.
The department also contributes the Sixth Form ‘Oxbridge and Best’ programme which runs from the summer hiatus at the end of AS examinations until the end of the Michaelmas Term and also a similar enrichment programme for those in the Middle School. This enrichment programme is termed ‘critical thinking’, but is not constrained by a syllabus. Recent topics have included: The ‘two cultures debate’; an analysis of rhetoric used in the Iraq war debate and the analysis of evidence and argument.
At A Level, Philosophy is one of the most intellectually stimulating and rigorous subjects available. Students gain a thorough grounding in key philosophical concepts, themes, texts and techniques. They will develop their abilities to analyse and assess philosophical writings and to reason, form their own judgments, express themselves coherently and to contribute to the process of debate. An AS or full A Level course in Philosophy will equip students with a set of transferable skills which can be applied successfully not only to Philosophy but also to other academic subjects and any written theories and arguments they encounter in their everyday lives. The main requirements are interest and, of course, intelligence. As Philosophy is an essay based subject at least a grade ‘A’’ in English Language is preferred. As Philosophy also involves logic and conceptual thinking a high grade in Mathematics is also desirable. The ideal student would be good at English and Mathematics and be something of an historian.
The course specification enables students to gain a thorough grounding in key philosophical concepts, themes, texts and techniques. Students will develop a range of transferable skills which can be applied far beyond the study of philosophy.
At AS the specification consists of two papers and concentrates on a number of key philosophical themes, intended to provide students with a broad introduction to Philosophy. At A2, students will specialise further, selecting two themes to study in depth and focusing on philosophical problems through the study of a key text. Options include: Philosophy of Mind, Political Philosophy, the theory of knowledge and moral philosophy.
There are four written exams with no coursework. In the Lower Sixth there are two 1 ½ hour exams: An Introduction to Philosophy 1 (50% of AS 25% of A level) and An Introduction to Philosophy 2 (50% of AS 25% of A level). In the Upper Sixth there are two further exams – Key Themes in Philosophy (2 hours) (30% of A level) and Philosophical Problems (1 ½ hours) (20% of A level).
Philosophy is an academic subject highly regarded by universities for admission to Arts or Humanities/Social Science degree courses. Some units combine well with science A Levels to prepare for science and medical degrees. Many students go on to study philosophy at university. A Level Philosophy is particularly useful for degree courses in theology, philosophy, politics and sociology and a number of recent students have taken the subject further at prestigious universities. It helps develop a wide range of skills and serves as a good grounding for many Humanities or Arts degrees as well as providing a wider perspective for science students. It is a preparation for any career where personal and communication skills are important. Such careers include teaching, law, politics, journalism and the media, personnel management, psychology, medicine, sociology and social work.
Religious Studies is one of the fastest growing subjects in schools and universities. In the world of work, employers look for someone with an enquiring mind, an appreciation of different viewpoints, an ability to come to clear, balanced decisions. These skills all develop through Religious Studies. Religious Studies provides students with the chance to study issues and questions that matter: What’s the value of a life? What beliefs will you live by? What different ideas about God and life after death are there? In studying religion, students are able to develop their own thoughts and ideas about moral and ethical issues and questions of belief. This specification does not presuppose faith, and is designed to be accessible to persons of any religious persuasion or none. What is necessary is an interest in the beliefs and values of others. Religious Studies is a valuable entry qualification to post 16 education, including A level, and to other further education opportunities. All universities accept and welcome students with Religious Studies onto a variety of courses, in humanities, arts and sciences as well as to specific courses in religious studies, theology, philosophy and related disciplines.
This course requires students to have an enquiring mind, an interest in religion and a desire to examine some of the biggest questions in the universe! A religious belief is not needed (though it’s fine if students have one). Students do not need to have a GCSE in Religious Studies. They will need to be able to read quite challenging texts, take notes, discuss and examine a range of different issues.
Religious Studies is designed to encourage students to do the following:
In the Lower Sixth students study Foundations (50% of AS 25% of A level – 1¾ hour exam). Two areas are covered - Philosophy and Religion - including a study of philosophical arguments about the existence of God, the problems of evil and suffering and debates about miracles and Ethics - including ethical concepts such as the relationship between religion and morality, utilitarianism and situation ethics, and ethical dilemmas of war and peace and sexual ethics. The other unit is Investigations (50% AS 25% A level – 1¼ hour exam). This is an enquiry-based approach to teaching and learning based on either The study of Philosophy of Religion which includes religious experience, the relationship between mind and body, or a study of one or more philosophers of religion; or The Study of Ethics which includes medical ethics, the natural world, or equality.
In the Upper Sixth there are two units – Developments (25% of A level 1 ¾ hour exam). This unit studies two areas, building on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed Foundations. Philosophy of Religion – including the existence of God, beliefs about life after death and religious language; Ethics – including the relationship between religion and morality, deontology, natural law, virtue ethics, and a study of selected problems in ethics, including justice, law and punishment. The final unit is Implications (25% of A level 1 ¼ hour exam). This is a synoptic unit that focuses on the implications of beliefs and values for religion and human experience, through the study of texts provided in an anthology published by Edexcel.
Higher Education and Career Opportunities
If students wish to go on to study the subject at university, there is a huge range of courses available, including Philosophy, Ethics, Theology, Biblical Studies, World Religions and Anthropology. Other related degrees favouring RS A Level include History, Law, Psychology, PPE and Education.
04 February 2012