philosophy & r eli gi on
AS/A2 Philosophy & Religion
Why choose Philosophy and Religion at Carmel? The best answer to give to this question could come from the following student comments: “It’s about getting your head around big questions like is there a God, is there life after death, am I just a biological machine?” “I’ve enjoyed examining the whole question of right and wrong – when people say that you shouldn’t use genetic engineering, how do they know?” “You’ve got to like thinking and you’ve got to enjoy asking questions – even be prepared for not knowing definite answers.” “It’s a subject that teaches you to analyse and to argue – it goes brilliantly with my other subjects, Psychology, Sociology and English.”
AS/A2 Philosophy and Religion EXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL WHAT WILL I STUDY?
meet the students SAM MAHER Wade Deacon
Studying: Philosophy, English Literature, German I enjoy the debates and discussions we have in class and as there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer I am developing my own opinions and understanding of the course. It is also remarkable how often you can relate Philosophy to everyday situations, making it an incredibly useful and fascinating subject to study. The tutors are always willing to give up their time if you need extra help and there are many study areas around college where you can go and work without being distracted. There’s a nice atmosphere which makes learning easier.
meet the tutors KEN TOWNSEND Head of Department and A level examiner
PAUL GRIFFITHS Subject Tutor
The course is divided into three components: Philosophy, Ethics, Religion. A film like ‘The Matrix’ shows you what Philosophy is concerned with. How do you know that you are really reading this sheet now and not, for example, lying in bed asleep dreaming that you are reading? Plato, the great Greek Philosopher, posed questions similar to this that we are still seeking answers to! A film like ‘The Da Vinci Code’ will help you understand the story of Religion. How do religious ideas, beliefs and rituals come about? Why does religious belief generate so much controversy? Are religious experiences something that can be investigated or proved? Ethics is what happens when people ask the questions: How should I live? What’s the right way to behave? Is it a good thing to do that? This is the part of the course in which we examine the many different answers given to such questions and study the different Moral Systems that have come about. Lots of discussion, reading, thinking and practise in the art of writing essays is central to the course!
The A Level qualification that you will gain, Religious Studies, has a long pedigree and is a highly respected subject. Admissions Tutors and employers welcome this qualification in combination with other A Level subjects as a pathway to a variety of courses and careers.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? The essay is the major form of assessment and regular essays are set throughout the course. A major task for all students is to learn to develop the skill of expressing complex ideas in writing. There are two exams at the end of the first year (AS) and two exams at the end of the second year (A2). Each exam is designed to assess your investigation of, and response to, the many issues explored in the course.
What support will I receive? The Philosophy and Religion Department is proud of its reputation for help and support. From beginning to end, staff are there to help you to achieve your full potential. Different teaching approaches are designed to bring out the best in you and if you want help and support outside class time, tutorials can be arranged to provide you with individual attention. You will find the course challenging – that’s to be expected from a subject preparing you for university – but you are never expected to struggle on your own!
WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS SUBJECT? A better question might be: What can’t I do with it? Employers and universities know that this subject teaches people to think clearly and to express themselves coherently; the skills that you will develop in analysis and argument are valuable in a range of careers.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE STUDIED RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT GCSE LEVEL? No. The important thing is a good qualification in English Language for you to be able to cope with the language demands of the course.
Former students are accountants, personnel officers, solicitors, criminal psychologists, speech therapists, nurses, teachers and too many more to mention!
meet the students NATHAN O’DONOVAN Prescot School
Studying: Philosophy, English Language, Sociology, Psychology Studying Philosophy is broadening my horizons and allows me to question things I never thought to question. It’s a very stimulating subject. I took the opportunity to go on the trip to a Buddhist Centre which was very enlightening! It gave me a lot to think about, which is what Philosophy is all about! Carmel has a very supportive atmosphere and modern facilities which create a brilliant learning environment. The café is a great place to meet up with a few friends and have a break from your studies too. When I leave I hope to study Philosophy and Anthropology at university.
What is the department like? From September 2009, Philosophy and Religion students have been studying in the newly built teaching block which provides a modern and spacious, state-of-the-art learning environment. Facilities include well resourced classrooms equipped with interactive white boards, multi-media projectors and wireless internet connection. Students also have access to a computer suite and study areas within the new building.
What else will I do?
There are annual visits to university departments and to a major Buddhist Centre in the Lake District. 2009 also saw our first trip to Auschwitz in Poland which provided graphic material to enhance the study of the major challenge to all religious belief: the problem of evil and suffering and man’s inhumanity to man. As part of the Enrichment Programme, students also have the opportunity to take part in “Philosophy at the Movies” which looks at how films explore major philosophical and religious issues.
WHAT THE STUDENTS SAY... “I chose this subject as a fourth AS thinking I would be dropping it at the end of the AS year. It’s turned out to be my favourite subject and I’m now looking to do Philosophy and Theology at university.” “I’d given up on God and the whole religion thing. But at the end of this course I’m more open-minded and prepared to consider alternative points of view – I’ve really enjoyed exploring the case for atheism, but even this has its weaknesses.”
“The investigations component gave me a chance to choose a topic that I had become interested in because of Psychology. I read and researched about the mind in order to answer a question on something called ‘dualism’. Sounds impressive, but it’s really dealing with these questions: Are we just machines? What is consciousness? Is the mind the same as the brain? Do we have souls? What did Plato mean by the soul? So I’ve enjoyed doing something that has not only improved my essay writing skills but has expanded my knowledge in two A Level subjects!”
Philosophy and Religion students visited Auschwitz in Poland.
more information The Edexcel website is extremely helpful:
How successful are Carmel’s Philosophy and Religion students? Our students are high achievers and Philosophy and Religion is proud of its results which have for the last three years exceeded the national average at A Level.
NO. OF ENTRIES 2008 2009
www.edexcel.com 2010
AS A2 AS A2 AS A2
56 49 82 38 78 65
A*- B
A* - C
45% 43% 56% 61% 53% 60%
82% 69% 81% 87% 77% 85%
OVERALL PASS RATE 98% 98% 99% 97% 99% 100%