Religion, Philosophy & Ethics (RPE

& ETHICS (RPE) (EDEXCEL IGCSE)

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

There are two parts to the IGCSE. Part I focuses on Beliefs and Values and Part II on The Buddhist Community.

By studying a wide range of topics, pupils will come to understand and appreciate the vital role and function that religion, philosophy and ethics plays in today’s world.

PART I: Beliefs and Values (60% of the IGCSE)

Sub-topics include: Belief and Unbelief; Destiny, Purpose and the Meaning of Life; Free-will and Determinism; Life after Death; The Universe and the place of humans within it; Human Nature and the Human Condition; Evil and Suffering; Equality and Human Rights; Racial and Inter-faith Harmony; RichPoor Relations; Marriage, Divorce and Family Life; War & Conflict; Crime & Punishment.

PART II: The Buddhist Community (40% of the IGCSE)

Sub-topics include: The Origins of Buddhism and the Impact on the Community; Religious Texts and Sources of Authority; Buddhist Celebration and Pilgrimage; Buddhist Worship and Practice.

RPE is an optional subject for pupils. The newly reformed IGCSE course is designed to encourage an open-minded and critically objective investigation into the studies of religion, philosophy and ethics.

HOW IS THE WHOLE COURSE STRUCTURED AND ASSESSED?

STRUCTURE

Year 10 – Beliefs and Values / The Buddhist Community

Beliefs and Values: The Universe, Creation and the Place of Human Beings; Matters of Life and Death.

The Buddhist Community: Origins, Founders and Leaders; Celebration and Pilgrimage.

Year 11 – Beliefs and Values / The Buddhist Community

Beliefs and Values: Peace & Conflict; Rights, Equality & Social Justice.

The Buddhist Community: Buddhist Worship & Practice.

ASSESSMENT

Pupils will sit two examination papers, one for each part of the IGCSE. Part I is assessed through a single 1¾ hour paper and Part II through a single 1½ hour paper. Both papers are sat in the Summer Term of Year 11.

WHAT WERE THE RPE GCSE RESULTS LIKE LAST YEAR?

In RPE 86% of students achieved grades 9-7 with 79% achieving grades 9/8.

Overall 100% of students achieved grades 9-4.

FOR WHAT SIXTH FORM SUBJECTS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL?

Transferable skills, such as the high level of analysis required in explanatory and evaluative questions, are particularly useful for subjects such as English, History, Politics, Geography, Biology, and Economics. There are also strong curricular links with Theatre Studies, Art and Music.