Topic title: Where did the universe come from? How should we treat the earth?
Year group: 7
When taught: November-February
What are we learning?
- In the ‘Where did the universe come from?’ module we will explore Christian and scientific accounts of creation. We will consider the similarities and differences between these accounts and evaluate if these different views are compatible.
- We will explore and evaluate the idea of intelligent design (Paley’s teleological argument) and the idea of cause and effect (Aquinas’ cosmological argument) as support for God as a designer/cause of the universe.
- This will then lead into our next module ‘How should we treat the earth?’
- In this module we will explore the Christian idea of Stewardship – humans as ‘caretakers’ of God’s world.
- We will study the Muslim idea of guardianship – khalifah of God’s world.
- We will look at examples of how Christians & Muslims have responded to the idea of stewardship, as a community and individually, through the work of charities such as A Rocha.
- We will offer our own, reasoned response to the question of whether Christians should be better stewards than everyone else.
- We will consider the challenges of caring for the planet and offer responses to these.
Why is this important to know?
- Questions of the origins of the universe shape worldviews and foster belief systems. This module is fundamental in exploring the nature and purpose of human existence which in turn affects behaviour.
- Though this module, students will not only gain an understanding of different viewpoints towards the fundamental question of where everything came from, but they will also consider their own views and how these influence the need to care for the planet.
- This module will introduce students to the core principle of belief in action.
Where does this link into our past and future learning?
- Students have already covered, in their previous module, different ideas about God. This module will enable students to apply and build on, their knowledge of key terms. For example, the Christian belief that only an omnipotent and transcendent being can be responsible for the universe coming into existence ex-nihilo (out of nothing)
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- Ongoing assessment of knowledge and understanding of key terms through Satchel One quizzes/homework/retrieval tasks in lessons.
- An assessment in the Spring Term comprising of Section A: Short Q and A to test knowledge and Section B: longer written answers to test application.
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
In PBE longer answers we use codes to identify what makes a good answer. These include:
- Use of key terms (KT)
- Knowledge of key terms (K)
- Use of sources of authority (SOA) to help explain different views. For example: quotes from the Bible, religious figures such as Aquinas, Fletcher.
- Explanation of points in detail (EXPN)
- Giving different views towards the topic studied (DV)
- An understanding of how religious beliefs motivate people to act (I)
- Evaluation of different views looked at (EV) using critical sentence starters e.g. ‘It could be argued….’, ‘on the other hand….’
- Linking points back to the specific question asked (L)
- In evaluation questions, concluding/reaching a judgement is important (RJ)
What key words are there in this topic?
Quizlet: Click here
Quizlet: Click here
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Use key terms in your written work but also when you are contributing to class discussions.
- 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.
- Research other creation stories using the following page: Click here Consider how these are similar/different to the ones we have looked at in class. Can you suggest any reasons for this?
- Attend Philosophy Club to engage in further debate with students from a different year group.
What wider reading can be done on this topic? (link to accessit – if applicable)
- Philosophy and Ethics (KS3 Knowing Religion) by Robert Orme (textbook available from P2)
- What is Humanism? How do you live without a God? And other big questions for kids by Michael Rosen and Annemarie Young (available in the Aird Library: Click here
- BBC KS3 webpages – find out what different religions believe about caring for the environment: Click here
- BBC KS4 webpages – Useful webpages aimed at GCSE students but accessible for KS3. These pages include different views about the origins of the universe and care for the environment: Click here
- BBC Radio 4 – A History of ideas (video clips – watch clips from section: How Did Everything Begin?): Click here
Supporting document/links:
- Knowledge organiser (see below)
Creation
The Big Bang theory suggests that nearly 14 billion years ago, the universe started as an extremely hot, dense, point of singularity. It consisted of light and energy, too small to be seen by the human eye. The heat and pressure from all of these particles squeezing against each other resulted in the Big Bang; before that point, there was nothing. Seconds after the Big Bang, the first particles began to form. These were called protons and neutrons, which joined together to create simple chemical elements. These eventually became atoms which joined together to form stars and the galaxies –like the Milky Way!
Evolution (theory by Charles Darwin) suggests that all animals and plants change and adapt to their environment(evolve). Some of these changed organisms were better suited to their environment than others and therefore they survived better and passed these features /characteristics to their offspring. There is no design by God.
Teleological/ design argument – Paley
William Paley was a Christian. He believed that complex things need a designer. He said if you found a pocket watch in a field and looked inside, it is very complex, therefore it needs a designer and a maker. The universe is complex and therefore it must also need a designer. Paley argued this designer must be God because only it is omnipotent, eternal or necessary which means all powerful, everlasting and must exist.
- Problems/weakness of the Teleological Argument= Does God need a designer, if so who? If God is a designer then why did he design earthquakes and cancer?
Aquinas’ Cosmological argument
Everything needs a cause. Nothings is uncaused. There must have been a first cause that started off everything. Thomas Aquinas said this must be God as he is eternal and omnipotent. Is God the unmoved, uncaused, necessary, eternal 1st cause.
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