Religious Studies

Examination Board AQA

Qualification level GCSE

Specification code 8062

Overview The course is divided into two sections, a study of the ‘Beliefs, Teachings and Practices’ of two religions (Christianity and Buddhism) and ‘Thematic Studies’, where the beliefs and teachings are applied to contemporary issues. The aim of the course is to challenge pupils with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious issues. Pupils will gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They will develop analytical thinking and evaluative skills and work with abstract ideas. The course offers opportunities to develop leadership and research skills.

Curriculum Beliefs, Teachings and Practices in Christianity and Buddhism. In the final examination, pupils will answer four questions (each comprising five parts):

● Christian beliefs and teachings ● Buddhist beliefs and teachings ● Christian practices ● Buddhist practices

Thematic Studies: Pupils will study five themes, to which they will apply the Christian and Buddhist teachings they have learnt. In the final examination, they will choose four questions to answer out of the five themes offered.

● Relationships and Families: sex, marriage, divorce, families and gender equality. ● Religion and Life: The origins and value of the universe, the origins and value of human life. ● The Existence of God and Revelation: Philosophical arguments for and against the existence

of God, the nature of the divine and revelation.

● Religion, Crime and Punishment: religion and the causes of crime, religion and punishment ● Religion, Peace and Conflict: causes and types of conflict, Just War Theory and Pacifism

Assessment

Unit % of final assessment Type of assessment Timing of assessment

1 50 % Examination

2 50 % Examination Summer Year 11 Summer Year 11

Do pupils need to study at GCSE for Sixth Form Level? In order to study RS at A-level there is no requirement to have studied the subject at GCSE.

Pupil View "RS GCSE is really interesting and covers lots of different things. We get to discuss ethical issues and ideas about the existence of God as well as learn more about Christianity and Buddhism. The course has given me a real insight into why different people have different perceptions of thesame issues and I have a much better understanding of why they have these attitudes. RS GCSE has helped me to develop my critical thinking skills and I am much more confident in explaining arguments for and against the different issues and religious concepts we study."