Head of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics: Mrs R Vaughan
It is essential for everyone to understand what it means to be religious and particularly how beliefs affect a person’s lifestyle. Without this kind of understanding, a person cannot function effectively in a world where religious ideas underpin and influence the lives of so many through culture and politics. In fact, faith and belief in a whole range of ideas, religious and non-religious, permeate everyone’s life and it is vitally important that our students are given the opportunity to become skilled at dealing effectively and rationally with this area of life. We subscribe to the Socratic view that the unexamined life is not worth living and aim to ensure that, by the end of their course in Religious Studies, all our students are able to take control of their own spiritual and moral development and are fully-equipped to continue their unique journey towards a good life.

Course content
Examination board: AQA

Philosophy of Religion and Ethics
This will include:

Section A: Philosophy of Religion
– Arguments for the existence of God
– Evil and suffering
– Religious experience
– Religious language
– Miracles
– Self and life after death.

Section B: Ethics and Religion
– Ethical theories
– Issues of human life and death
– Issues of animal life and death
– Introduction to meta ethics
– Free will and moral responsibility
– Conscience
– Bentham and Kant.
Paper 1 – 50%
Written Examination 3 Hrs – 100 Marks

Study of Religion and Dialogues
This will include:

Section A: Study of Religion – for each faith option (2A–2E) the following topics are covered:
– Sources of wisdom and authority
– God/gods/ultimate reality
– Self, death and the afterlife
– Good conduct and key moral principles
– Expression of religious identity
– Religion, gender and sexuality
– Religion and science
– Religion and secularisation
– Religion and religious pluralism.

Section B: The dialogue between Philosophy of Religion and Religion. How religion is influenced by, and has an influence on philosophy of religion in relation to the issues studied.

Section C: The dialogue between Ethical Studies and Religion. How religion is influenced by, and has an influence on ethical studies in relation to the issues studied.
Paper 2 – 50%
Written Examination 3 Hrs – 100 Marks

Co-curricular
We provide opportunities for students to attend relevant subject conferences in London during their study.

University and beyond
Religious Studies graduates work in a variety of roles. Typical employers include schools, colleges and universities – for teaching and research positions, and public and private sector organisations such as the National Health Service, financial and legal firms and government agencies for administration, financial and general management positions.