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Religion, Philosophy & Ethics (RPE
RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS (RPE) (OCR)
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Students will learn to:
• understand and critically evaluate the key concepts in RPE;
• understand and evaluate the challenges that have been made to religious belief since classical antiquity;
• understand the contribution of significant people e.g. Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hume,
Kant, Darwin, Marx, Hick and Singer to philosophical, ethical and religious debate; • assess the relationship between philosophical theory and human experience e.g. When does a person become a person? Is there life after death?
Do rights come from God or society?
• appreciate the contribution of significant traditions or movements e.g. Logical
Positivism, Utilitarianism;
• analyse ideas; use religious language and terminology.
A TWO YEAR A LEVEL COURSE, EXAMINED AT THE END OF YEAR 13.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW OR BE ABLE TO DO BEFORE TAKING RPE IN THE SIXTH FORM?
For students new to Kingswood, there is no specific entry requirement. However, a grade 6 or above in English and either RPE, English Literature or History is our expectation. Current Kingswood students would normally be expected to have gained a grade 6 in RPE.
WHAT KIND OF STUDENT IS THIS COURSE SUITABLE FOR?
This course is suitable for:
• students who want to study some of the fundamental questions which people have always asked about life e.g. Why are we here? How should we behave? What happens to us after we die?
• students who enjoy discussion, expressing their opinions and justifying their comments;
• students who want to develop their critical and analytical skills;
RPE combines well with other humanities such as Politics, History, English Literature, Geography, Physical Education, and Drama. In addition, it can be taken in combination with a science or Mathematics to give a broader base to the curriculum.
WHAT EXAMINATIONS WILL I HAVE TO TAKE TO GAIN MY QUALIFICATION?
The A Level course comprises three units:
Topics covered include: • Ancient Philosophy – Plato and Aristotle: What is real? What does it mean to know?
• Soul, Mind and Body: Are we more than matter?
What is meant by consciousness? • Life after Death: Do we have a soul? What happens when we die?
• Religious Experience: Can people truly experience
God? Is God fact or fantasy? • The Existence of God: Is the universe designed?
Is God necessary? • Challenges to Religious Belief: Does evil and suffering challenge the belief in a loving God? • The Nature of God: Can God commit evil actions?
Is God just a human construct? • Religious Language: Is God-talk meaningful?
Is human language too limiting? • Twentieth Century Perspectives: Can religion be falsified? What is understood by faith?
Topics covered include: • Utilitarian Ethics: Should happiness for the majority govern moral decision making? • Kantian Ethics: Are we duty bound to do good?
What are the implications of doing our ‘duty’? • Applied Ethics - Sex: Is sexuality natural or nurtured? How does the media influence sexuality? • Applied Ethics - Euthanasia: Is it ever right to take a life? Is the human person sacred? • Business Ethics: Is business about more than making a profit? • Meta-Ethics: Can ethical language be meaningful?
Should intuition guide morality? • Conscience: Should you always obey your conscience? Is conscience God-given? • Religious Ethics: Does morality come from God?
To what extent is morality religious?
Topics covered include: • Sources of Wisdom and Authority: A detailed investigation into the background and teachings of the key founder(s) and figurehead(s) of Buddhism, alongside scriptural texts inspired by them. • Beliefs, Values and Teachings: A critical examination of Buddhism’s fundamental beliefs that have emerged from founders and texts, understanding how these have developed historically into an established framework for living, today. • Contemporary Issues: A comprehensive study of the response of Buddhism to issues relating to; gender; war and conflict; and the environment.
WHAT COULD I GO ON TO DO AT THE END OF MY COURSE?
Like any other Arts subject, the course is not intended as vocational training for one specific degree or career. Students studying RPE at Kingswood have gone on to take degree courses in the following areas: Law; Politics; Philosophy; Art and Design; Teaching; Physical Education and Drama and Theatre. Students considering eventual careers in medicine have also found the Applied Ethics section useful.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON SPECIFICATIONS
OCR provides specimen examination papers which we recommend you investigate.
