IGCSE Global Perspectives

This course will explore the beliefs and practices of Christianity and Islam, and a range of ethical issues from a religious and non-religious point of view.

Paper 1: Religions - Christianity and Islam

a) Christian Beliefs b) Christian Practices c) Islam Beliefs d) Islam Practices

Paper 2: Ethics - Thematic studies

a) Crime and Punishment (types of punishment, arguments for and against the death penalty, the aims of punishment) b) Peace and Conflict (terrorism and extremism, reasons for war, nuclear weapons, Just War theory) c) Religion and Life (abortion, euthanasia, animal experimentation, origins of the universe) d) Human Rights and Social Justice (prejudice and discrimination, wealth and poverty, law in the UK)

GCSE Assessment

There are 2 examinations (Papers 1 and 2) at the end of Year 11. There are no controlled assessments.

Enrichments

The department is hoping to offer a visit to London, firstly to the Royal Courts of Justice, to take part in a session on the right to religious expression in the form of wearing a religious symbol to work. This session looks at religious tolerance, human rights, and religious conviction. Students will have the opportunity to visit a place of worship as well, for example, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Central Mosque.

Future pathways

Religious Studies is recognised by employers as a challenging and rewarding subject that prepares students for an increasingly globalised world. At A Level, the subject also broadens out to include philosophy, which is highly valued by employers and universities. Religious Studies develops skills of analysis and evaluation as much as it teaches content, therefore career choices are broad.

If students pursue this subject to A Level and beyond they often opt for the following: International politics | Barrister/legal field e.g. developing an expertise in medical ethics Local and national government | International NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and charities | Journalism | Accountancy | Television e.g. documentary making | Education, such as teaching or Schools Project Manager | Academia | Civil Service | Youth Work | Human Resources | Faith organisations | Nursing | Social Work | Police | Public Relations e.g. project consultant | Policy Advisor | Marketing

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IGCSE Global Perspectives Board: Cambridge Specification: 0457 Why Study IGCSE Global Perspectives?

In this course, students think critically about stimulating topics of global significance. They learn to consider different perspectives from a personal, national and international point of view. Through collaboration with other students, IGCSE candidates explore different cultural perspectives and also analyse information critically to find solutions. Moreover, pupils learn to develop an independence of thought by completing an individual report on a global topic of their choice.

Important information

This course is two thirds coursework and one third written exam. The coursework elements involve considerable freedom of choice, making this a good course for students who enjoy having autonomy over their learning. Most aspects of the course involve internet research and laptops are an everyday tool during lessons.

Entry requirements

Students who take this IGCSE will be interested in the course because of its international focus. The IGCSE Global Perspectives course may also be suited to pupils who enjoy Humanities but wish to complete a course with a lower weighting in terms of written examinations. It is a course that suits independent thinkers – there is plenty of discussion on offer on the main issues facing the world today. Independent learning skills are also beneficial, but these will also be developed during the course.

Course Overview and Content

Course outline 1 - A written examination – 70 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes – worth 35% of the course mark

Students will need to answer four compulsory questions based on source material, using their analysis and evaluation skills. The source material will present claims, arguments and evidence from different perspectives on a global issue drawn from the following topics: Demographic change Education for all Employment Fuel and energy Globalisation Law and criminality Migration Transport systems

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2 - An Individual Research Report – 60 marks – 30% of the course mark

Students will need to complete a report of between 1500-2000 words in order to answer a ‘Global Question’ they have developed from a topic chosen from the following: Belief systems Biodiversity and ecosystem loss Changing communities Digital world Family Humans and other species Sustainable living Trade and aid

Conflict and peace Disease and health Human rights Language and communication Poverty and inequality Sport and recreation Tradition, culture and identity Water, food and agriculture

In doing so, they will need to examine both the causes and consequences of the issues raised, but also evaluate possible courses of action to solve them.

3 - A Team Project – 70 marks – 35% of the course mark

Students work in teams to undertake a project. There is a lot of freedom given to students to choose what type of project they wish to undertake; it must allow for the exploration of different cultural perspectives. The Team Project comprises two elements: Team Element (the project itself and its development) and Personal Element (Reflective Paper) which allows the candidates to evaluate the success of the project and their role in it. The project will consider differing cultural perspectives in one of the following broad topics:

Enrichment

The group project aspect of this course has sometimes resulted in students organising special events in school, such as running stalls at lunchtime to raise awareness of and celebrate cultural diversity. In this picture, students are running a stall in the week before Christmas, 2019, to raise money for charity whilst raising awareness about celebrations in different cultural traditions, as part of their group project.