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Topic title: WJEC Eduqas GCE A LEVEL in Religious Studies

Year group: 12

When taught: September – May (before AS exams)

What are we learning?

Component 1: An Introduction to the Study of Religion (Buddhism)

Teacher A:

  • Accounts of the birth and four sights
  • The enlightenment of Buddha
  • Buddhist texts (Pali Canon: Patimokkha/parajikas)
  • The 3 lakshanas (dukka, anicca, anatta)
  • Pratityasamutpada, karma, rebirth
  • Arhat and bodhisattva (Theravada and Mahayana)

Teacher B:

  • The Four noble truths
  • The Eight-fold path
  • Dasa Sila (10 precepts)
  • Going for refuge
  • Meditation
  • The role and importance of dana (giving) and punya (merit)

 

Component 2: An Introduction to Philosophy of Religion

Teacher A:

  • Inductive arguments (cosmological)
  • Inductive arguments (teleological)
  • Challenges to inductive arguments
  • Deductive arguments (ontological Anselm)
  • Deductive arguments (ontological Descartes/Malcolm)
  • Challenges to deductive arguments

Teacher B:

  • The problem of evil
  • Responses to the problem of evil (Augustine)
  • Responses to the problem of evil (Irenaeus)
  • Religious experience (visions, conversions, mysticism, prayer)
  • Mystical experiences (James/Otto)
  • Challenges to religious experience

 

Component 3: An Introduction to Religion and Ethics

Teacher A:

  • The Divine Command Theory
  • Virtue Theory
  • Ethical Egoism
  • Aquinas Natural Law (laws and precepts)
  • Aquinas Natural Law (virtues and goods)
  • Aquinas Natural law application (to abortion and euthanasia)

Teacher B:

  • Fletcher’s situation ethics (his rejection of other approaches)
  • Fletcher’s situation ethics (boss principle, four working principles, six fundamental principles)
  • Application to homosexual/polyamorous relationships
  • Utilitarianism (Bentham’s Act Utilitarianism)
  • Utilitarianism (Mill’s development of Utilitarianism)
  • Application to animal experimentation/nuclear war

 

Why is this important to know? 

A level Religious Studies is designed to enable learners to develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, a study of religion and its place in the wider world.

The WJEC Eduqas A level in Religious Studies encourages learners to:

  • develop their interest in a rigorous study of religion and belief and relate it to the wider world
  • develop knowledge and understanding appropriate to a specialist study of religion
  • develop an understanding and appreciation of religious thought and its contribution to individuals, communities and societies
  • adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion
  • reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in the light of their study.

Where does this link into our past and future learning? 

  • The A Level course of study builds on prior learning undertaken at both KS3 and KS4.
  • The A Level modules are taught in carefully considered specific sequence so that students have the foundational knowledge required to progress. Different components are taught simultaneously to allow students to broaden their knowledge and make synoptic links between topics covered – a skill that is integral to A Level study.
  • All AS topics underpin study at A2, providing students with foundational knowledge to enable them to make synoptic links between all areas of their study.

How will we be assessed on this topic?

  • Ongoing assessment of knowledge and understanding of key terms and concepts through Satchel One quizzes/homework/retrieval tasks in lessons etc
  • Past Paper practice in class and for homework on a regular basis
  • Mock Examination
  • AS external examinations in May/June of Year 12. Students will sit three papers in total:
  • Component 1: An Introduction to the Study of Religion (Buddhism) Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 33⅓% of qualification
  • Component 2: An Introduction to Philosophy of Religion Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 33⅓% of qualification
  • Component 3: An Introduction to Religion and Ethics Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 33⅓% of qualification

What makes a strong piece of work in this topic?  What are teachers hoping to see? 

All essays written by students should show:

  • Thorough and accurate use of specialist language and vocabulary in context.
  • Thorough, accurate and relevant knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, supported with evidence/examples.
  • An extensive range of views of scholars/schools of thought used accurately and effectively. Excellent answers will go beyond the exam specification and use scholars not explicitly mentioned on the specification, but which support their answers.
  • Insightful connections are made between the various approaches studied (synoptic links)

A02 (analytical) essays should also show:

  • Confident critical analysis and perceptive evaluation of the issue.
  • Successful identification of the issues raised by the question set, which are then thoroughly addressed.
  • Thorough, sustained and clear views, supported by extensive, detailed reasoning and/or evidence.
  • Confident and perceptive analysis of the nature of connections between the various elements of the approaches studied.

What key words are there in this topic?

  • Component 1: An Introduction to the Study of Religion (Buddhism): Click here
  • Component 2: An Introduction to Philosophy of Religion: Click here
  • Component 3: An Introduction to Religion and Ethics: Click here

What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?

  • Read around the subject. You could borrow a copy of a Philosophy Now magazine or a book located in P2/P3. Read and make a note of any extra scholars/ideas you could bring into what we are studying.
  • Use the Quizlet cards to continually remind yourself of key terms. Create your own flashcards for these to use for revision.
  • Create your own key quotes flash cards/document.
  • Complete any optional homework set.
  • Practice planning or answering exam questions. You will find these on the Eduqas website – for Year 12, look at the ‘Intro to…’ papers and mark schemes: Click here
  • Re write any answers to improve your mark (based on feedback given by your teacher)
  • Use the resources listed below to enhance your learning.

What wider reading can be done on this topic? 

  • You will find lots of resources to support your learning in the My Drive area of Satchel One (e.g. revision booklets/model essays). Please use textbooks given out as well.
  • TED talks. Click here   These are usually wonderful, with plenty to stimulate your questioning and reasoning skills.
  • Philosophy Now magazines – There are plenty of these in P2/P3 – (please ask your teacher to borrow)
  • Books – we have copies of a variety of books in P2 (please ask your teacher to borrow)
  • Noah Rasheta is a secular Buddhist. He has produced podcasts on various Buddhist topics. Follow the link here to listen: Click here
  • George Teaches – You will be given a log on for this at the start of Year 12. It includes both Ethics and Philosophy: Click here
  • Philosophy of Religion revision: Click here
  • Edinburgh Buddhism lecture series
  • Teaching Buddhism
  • Teaching Buddhism/ Who is the Buddha
  • Teaching Buddhism/ Key Concepts
  • Teaching Buddhism/ Approaching Religion Through Story
  • Crash Course Philosophy on YouTube has a variety of videos that explain concepts in detail. Click here: Crash Course – Philosophy – YouTube

Supporting document/links:

Click here to return to the Curriculum page.