AS/A2 Level 2013 Entry
Philosophy & Religion 1987-2012 •
This subject teaches you to analyse and to argue
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You’ve got to like thinking and you’ve got to enjoy asking questions – of inspiring even be prepared for not knowing definite answers
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This course is challenging but the staff are here to help you achieve your full potential
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There are annual visits to university departments and to a major Buddhist Centre in the Lake District. In recent years students have also visited Auschwitz in Poland
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This subject teaches you to think clearly and express yourself coherently, skills that are valuable in a range of careers
25 Years
individuals
1987-2012 25 Years of inspiring individuals
Martin’s Perspective When I came to Carmel one of the major things that I found pleasing was the amount of independence that was expected of us in comparison to secondary school, and I found it made me become more organised. I particularly enjoy Philosophy and Religion, because it explores concepts that one is likely to only wonder about briefly otherwise. That was why I chose to study it, because I wished not only to wonder, but to understand. Last year, I visited a Buddhist temple with the Philosophy department, where we listened to a Buddhist talk about the reasoning behind their core beliefs. It was fascinating to me, being raised a Catholic, to see ideas of religion from a different perspective. After leaving Carmel, I hope to study Mathematics and Philosophy at university.
AS/A2 Philosophy and Religion Exam Board EDEXCEL What will I study? The course is divided into three components: Philosophy, Ethics and 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.
Martin Maguire De La Salle Studying: Philosophy and Religion, Maths, Physics, Critical Thinking
Meet the Tutors Paul Griffiths Head of Department Christine Taylor Subject Tutor
Students visit Auschwitz in Poland
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, but you will need a grade B in GCSE 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!
Sophie’s Perspective I like studying Philosophy and Religion because it draws on many questions that we frequently ask ourselves, such as the meaning of life and why evil exists and if it is possible for a God to exist whilst there is evil in the world. As well as this, studying Philosophy has changed me as a person causing me to reflect on and re-evaluate certain views and beliefs I once held. I went to Krakow in my first year at Carmel with my Philosophy class. This was a thoroughly enjoyable trip which enabled me to broaden my knowledge on many matters, such as the Holocaust when we visited Auschwitz. After Carmel, I hope to go to university to study Psychology. I aspire to complete a post graduate masters and doctorate in Psychology in order to become a clinical psychologist. I am certain that my philosophical knowledge will be of benefit to me throughout life.
What is the department like? Since 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, multimedia 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. 2011 also saw our second 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.
Sophie Lemdani St Edmund Arrowsmith Studying: Psychology, Philosophy and Religion, Sociology
What the students say...
Keanu’s Perspective Carmel has a diverse and challenging atmosphere which gives you the opportunity to reach your full potential. The teachers are knowledgeable, encouraging and inspiring, meeting the individual needs of each student. Studying Philosophy at Carmel not only teaches you so much relevant information, but it also opens your mind to so much you never really thought of before. Philosophy really makes you think; you question everything. Going to Krakow with Philosophy was an amazing experience. To see Auschwitz on a first hand basis really enables you to understand the philosophical implications behind issues such as morality. The highlight of my time at Carmel has been everything; just having the opportunity to go to college and know you’ll enjoy yourself whilst you learn is great. After Carmel I hope to study Psychology at Manchester University.
researched about the mind in order to answer a question on something called ‘dualism’.
“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.”
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!”
“The investigations component gave me a chance to choose a topic that I had become interested in because of Psychology. I read and
Students explore Krakow, Poland
Wieliczka Salt Mines, Krakow
How successful are Carmel’s Philosophy and Religion students? Keanu Court Newton-le-Willows Community High School Studying: Philosophy, Biology, Psychology
More Information The Edexcel website is extremely helpful: www.edexcel.com
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 A* - B A* - C
Overall Pass Rate
2010
AS A2
78 65
53% 60%
77% 85%
99% 100%
2011
AS A2
98 51
64% 67%
85% 88%
100% 98%
2012
AS A2
82 60
46% 65%
78% 93%
96% 98%