Religious Studies

Course Level:	AS Level
Length of Course:	This course is included as an AS with the possibility that it will go through to A2 if numbers permit.
Examination Board:	Edexcel
Description of Course:
The Lowestoft Sixth is pleased to be able to offer this really exiting and challenging course. There are two units, outlined below. East unit is assessed by written examination and is worth 50% of the marks at AS or 25% of the marks for A2. There is no coursework requirement at AS. Philosophy of Religion The Cosmological Argument God as the first mover and first cause; God as the explanation of why there is something rather than nothing; strengths and weakness of this argument. Religious Experience The nature and variety of religious experience. Religious experience as proof for the existence of God. Challenges to religious experience from both philosophy and science. Psychology and Religion How religion has been understood by Freud and Jung. How religion has responded to these challenges. Atheism and Postmodernism The rise of atheism and the death of God. The nature of atheism. Religious responses to atheism, including a postmodernist view of religion. Religion and Ethics Utilitarianism Bentham; Act Utilitarianism; the hedonic calculus. Mill; Rule utilitarianism; quality over quantity. Utilitarianism in relation to an issue of the candidates choice. Situation Ethics General principles; Fletchers six fundamental principles and four presumptions. Situation ethics in relation to an ethical issue of the candidates choice. Religious teaching on the nature and value of human life The teaching of at least one major religion on the nature of humanity and the human condition; fatalism and free will; equality and difference; the value of life. Abortion and Euthanasia An in-depth study of both these issues with reference to religion and ethical teachings.
Possible Career Pathways:
Further Advice:
For further information speak with the Head of R.E. or the Head of Sixth at your school.
Course Work Placement:
N/A
Course Entry Guidelines:
N/A
Course Additional Information:
There is a degree of overlap between this course and the pure Philosophy course. However, the differences are also highly significant. We feel that students can benefit greatly by taking both courses because that would allow them to develop a really confident graphs of important shared topics.