GCSE Religious Education at Ousedale
Long Course Religious Studies
| Qualification | GCSE - Religious Studies |
| Examining Board | OCR |
| Syllabus | 1730 |
| Head Of Department | Mrs S Chadwick |
Introduction to Course
- Why are we here?
- Is there any purpose to life?
- What happens when life is over?
- How do we know what is right or wrong when we are faced with issues such as Abortion, Euthanasia or Genetic Engineering?
Religious Studies explores these and similar questions.
The course aims to widen a person's outlook and to promote understanding of the beliefs and customs which underlie the routes we take when making important decisions in life. The course will develop your investigative and evaluative skills. The result should be an open-minded and enquiring approach to life, people and moral issues.
Course Content
Students will examine and investigate the following important elements on Christian faith and practice:
- Beliefs Festivals
- Diversity within the faith
- Pilgrimage Worship Rites of passage
Students will address areas of ethical concern such as:
- The Family
- Marriage and Divorce
- Love and Friendship
- Birth Control
- Abortion
- Genetic Engineering
- Life-support machines
- Suicide
- Euthanasia
- Death and beyond
- War and Pacifism
- Racism
- The use and abuse of animals and the environment
Students will be encouraged to discover the importance of religious beliefs and practices to both individuals and communities. There will be the opportunity to visit different places of worship. There will also be an opportunity to take part in a field trip to Israel or another place of Christian Pilgrimage. Students will have the opportunity to interview visitors involved in hospice work, a pregnancy crisis centre and the pacifist movement as well as visiting a local charity organisation.
Coursework will provide the opportunity for students to investigate, discuss and evaluate their own opinions and the opinions of others.
Course Assessment
Examination: Two papers - 1 hour 30 minutes each paper 80% of total marks
Coursework: Two assignments 20% of total marks