Dance

Religious Studies

Examination Board: OCR

Is there such a thing as right and wrong? What happens when I die? Why might a good God allow evil in the world? These are all questions that are tackled head-on in the Religious Studies A-level course, as well as more practical questions, such as what is the ethical way to run a business? and is euthanasia morally acceptable?

A-level Religious Studies is not a preparation for the religious life. Rather, it is a stringent academic subject that will encourage you to write in an orderly and lucid way, help you to understand and evaluate complex critical theories and develop your sensitivity to the variety of factors influencing religious thought and practice. These skills will be of value in any future career and will demonstrate to future employers and university interviewers a high level of academic competence. Students taking Religious Studies have combined it with almost every other subject and gone on to a wide range of undergraduate courses. As well as Theology and Philosophy, students have also applied for Psychology, English, History, Economics, Medicine, Dentistry, Geography and Education. Partly because of the transferable skills that it develops, universities have a very positive attitude towards a Religious Studies A-level.

Philosophy of Religion

Examination: 2 hours

■ Ancient philosophical influences ■ The nature of the soul, mind and body ■ Arguments about the existence or nonexistence of God ■ The nature and impact of religious experience ■ The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil ■ Ideas about the nature of God ■ Issues in religious language

Religious Ethics

Examination: 2 hours

■ Utilitarianism ■ Kantian Deontology ■ Natural moral law ■ Situation ethics ■ Business ethics ■ Euthanasia ■ Conscience ■ Ethical language

Developments in Christianity

Examination: 2 hours

■ Saint Augustine's teaching on human nature ■ Death and the afterlife ■ Knowledge of God's existence ■ The person of Jesus Christ ■ Christian moral principles and action ■ Religious Pluralism ■ Gender theology ■ The challenge of secularism ■ Liberation theology

Sociology

Examination Board: AQA

What is Sociology?

■ Sociology is the systematic or scientific study of human society and social behaviour, ranging from large-scale institutions and mass culture to small groups and individual interactions.

■ In Sociology, we look at institutions such as the family, the media and the education system and ask questions about their structure, in whose interests they operate, and the effect that they have on individuals and on society.

Why choose Sociology?

■ Studying Sociology offers insights into social and cultural issues. It helps you develop a multi-perspective and critical approach to understanding issues around culture, identity, religion, crime, families and social power. More than once during the course you’re bound to ask yourself the question,

“why has society developed like this? With poverty, ignorance, crime and injustice.”

What skills will you learn?

A-level Sociology will help you develop a range of skills that will benefit you, whether you decide to go on to further study or the working world, including:

■ the use of evidence to support your arguments ■ how to investigate facts and use deduction

■ critical thinking

■ making reasoned arguments

■ developing opinions and new ideas on societal issues

■ the ability to analyse and better understand societal issues.

How will it fit in with my other subjects?

There’s no limit to the other subjects that you can take alongside Sociology. There’s such breadth to the subject that it will complement just about anything. Students who study Sociology often also study Psychology, English, Economics and History. Also, students who want a career in any of the caring services, or in marketing or business, will find an understanding of Sociology useful.

Where can Sociology take me?

Studying Sociology at university can give you a whole host of exciting career options, including:

■ Human resources

■ Advertising

■ Marketing

■ Journalism

■ Law.

Paper One

Education with Theory and Methods

Education: short answer and extended writing, 50 marks

Methods in Context: extended writing, 20 marks

Theory and Methods: extended writing, 10 marks 2-hour written exam 80 marks 33.3% of A-level

Paper Two

Topics in Sociology: Culture and Identity Media

Section A: Culture and Identity, extended writing, 40 marks

Section B: Media, extended writing, 40 marks 2-hour written exam 80 marks 33.3% of A-level

Entry Requirement

English Literature and English Language: grade 7+.

Paper Three

Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

Crime and Deviance: short answer and extended writing, 50 marks

Theory and Methods: extended writing, 30 marks 2-hour written exam 80 marks 33.3% of A-level