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Topic title: WJEC Eduqas GCE A LEVEL in Religious Studies

Year group: 13

When taught: September – May (before A2 exams)

What are we learning?

Component 1: A Study of Religion (Option D: Buddhism)

Teacher A:

  • The Pali Canon: its role in Buddhism as a whole
  • Mahayana texts: Heart Sutra/ Lotus Sutra
  • Buddhist teachers: Thich Nhat Hanh/Dalai Lama
  • Japanese Buddhism: Pure Land, Zen, Nicherin
  • Buddhism faith + science: Kalama Sutta and the Dalai Lama
  • Buddhism and secularisation: Batchelor vs Brazier

 

Teacher B:

  • Responses to the challenges of pluralism and diversity
  • Development of Buddhism in Britain
  • Religion, equality and discrimination
  • Tibetan Buddhist traditions: mudra, mandala and mantra
  • The mindfulness movement
  • Socially Engaged Buddhism

 

Component 2: Philosophy of Religion

Teacher A:

  • Inherent probs with Religious Language
  • Religious language verification/falsification and criticisms
  • Religious language as cognitive and analogical: Aquinas/Ramsey
  • Religious language as non-cognitive and symbolic: Randall/Tillich
  • Religious language as non-cognitive and mythical
  • Religious language as a language game: Wittgenstein

Teacher B:

  • Religious belief as a product of the human mind –Freud
  • Religious belief as a product of the human mind– Carl Jung
  • Issues relating to the rejection of religion: Atheism
  • influence of religious experience on religious practice and faith
  • Miracles (Aquinas/Hume/Holland/Swinburne)
  • Comparison of Hume and Swinburne on Miracles

Component 3: Religion and Ethics

Teacher A:

  • Predestination: Augustine and Calvin
  • Determinism: Hard and Soft
  • Implications of determinism/predestination
  • Free will: Pelagius and Arminius
  • Libertarianism
  • Implications of libertarianism and free will

Teacher B:

  • Naturalism
  • Intuitionism
  • Emotivism
  • John Finnis’ development of natural law
  • Bernard Hoose’s proportionalism
  • Finnis+ Hoose application to : Immigration/Capital punishment

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 13. Students will sit three papers in total:
  • Component 1: A Study of Religion (Buddhism) Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of qualification
  • Component 2: Philosophy of Religion Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of qualification
  • Component 3: Religion and Ethics Written examination: 2 hours 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?

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 A2 level look at ‘Study of…’ 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? (link to accessit – if applicable)

  • 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: Click here
  • Teaching Buddhism/ Who is the Buddha: Click here
  • Teaching Buddhism/ Key Concepts: Click here
  • Teaching Buddhism/ Approaching Religion Through Story: Click here
  • Crash Course Philosophy on YouTube has a variety of videos that explain concepts in detail. Crash Course – Philosophy – YouTube

 

Supporting document/links:

 

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