Religious Education
(Full course)

EXAM BOARD: WJEC

HEAD OF RE: Mr Hunter

STAFF: Mr Thompson, Miss Parke

Students will start the Full course in Year 10, completing two 2 hour exams by the end of Year 11. Each exam will be divided into four parts. We will follow the WJEC scheme of work for Religious Studies Unit 1 Religion and Philosophical themes, and Unit 2 Religion and Ethical themes.

Unit 1: Religion and Philosophical Themes

Part A:

Students will study the two specified core beliefs/teachings and the two specified practices of Christianity and one of the other five main world religions (Judaism OR Islam OR Hinduism OR Sikhism OR Buddhism).

Key Concepts: Omnipotence, Atonement, Omniscience, Omnibenevolence, Divine Command, Holy Spirit, Incarnation, Inter-faith Dialogue, Messiah, Trinity, Agapé, Ressurection.

Part B:

Students will study the two philosophical themes (below) from the perspective of Christianity and one of the other five main world religions (Judaism OR Islam OR Hinduism OR Sikhism OR Buddhism).

Theme 1: Issues of Life and Death

This theme requires all students to consider religious and non-religious beliefs about the nature of life and death and the origins and value of the universe and human life.

Key Concepts: Afterlife, Environmental Responsibility, Abortion, Quality of Life, Euthanasia, Evolution, Sanctity of Life, Soul.

Theme 2: Issues of Good and Evil

This theme requires students to consider philosophical questions concerning the origins and nature of good and evil. Through a study of teachings and beliefs, questions relating to the causes of crime and attitudes towards the aims of punishment and treatment of criminals will be considered.

Key Concepts: Good/Evil, Forgiveness, Free will, Justice, Morality, Pacifism, Conscience, Suffering.

Students are expected to make relevant references to scripture and other sources of authority, as well as consider non-religious beliefs, such as those held by Humanists and Atheists (this will be explicitly assessed in the questions in the Life and Death theme of Part B).

Unit 2: Religion and Ethical Themes

Part A:

Key Concepts: Revelation, Judgement, Baptism, Reason, Confirmation, Eucharist, Pilgrimage, Free will, Heaven/Hell, Vows, Marriage, Symbols.

Part B:

Students will also study the two ethical themes (below) from the perspective of Christianity AND one other of the five main world religions (Judaism OR Islam OR Hinduism OR Sikhism OR Buddhism).

Theme 1: Relationships

This theme requires learners to consider the characteristics of relationships, marriage and family life, and questions relating to issues of relationships in the 21st century.

Key Concepts: Adultery, Divorce, Cohabitation, Commitment, Contraception, Gender, Equality, Responsibilities, Roles.

Theme 2: Issues of Human Rights

This theme considers contemporary issues of human rights and social justice, and their relationship with the beliefs and practices of religious believers. Learners will be expected to consider specific issues of wealth and poverty, racial prejudice, and discrimination.

Key Concepts: Censorship, Discrimination, Extremism, Human rights, Personal conviction, Prejudice, Relative and absolute poverty, Social justice.

Students are expected to make relevant references to scripture and other sources of authority, as well as consider non-religious beliefs, such as those held by Humanists and Atheists.