Religious Studies
Studying Religious Studies successfully is not dependent upon the beliefs of the candidate although the papers included in the Sedbergh curriculum at GCSE place a particular emphasis on the Christian faith and morality.
GCSE study focuses on two written papers and two pieces of independent course
work.
Paper 1 : The meaning of Christianity in faith and practice
- Styles of worship in different churches
- Initiation Rites - Baptism, Marriage, Funerals
- The meaning of The Bible and how it is used today
- The key points in the life of Jesus
- Christian beliefs such as The Trinity
- Festivals such as Christmas and Easter
- The worldwide Church and Ecumenism
- Liberation Theology
- Places of Pilgrimage such as Lindisfarne and Iona
Paper 2 : Christian Perspectives on Contemporary Moral Issues
- The ways in which Christians help people in their local area
- Christian concern for young people through The Children's Society
- Humanitarian work in Britain through The Salvation Army
- Issues concerning Justice with reference to the British Prison System
- Worldwide Christian work for the poor through Tear Fund
- Christian concern for peace and responses to war and conflict
- Sanctity of Life issues relating to Abortion and Euthanasia
- Divorce and Re-Marriage
- Green Issues and Care for the Environment
A-level
The study of philosophy, religion and ethics is a sound foundation for any
career demanding good powers of communications and an ability to analyse, understand
and solve problems. The Edexcel A-level Religious Studies syllabus is followed
and GCSE is not a requirement for A-level study.
Philosophy of Religion
- The Design Argument for the existence of God
- The Cosmological Argument for the existence of God
- The problem of evil and suffering
- The philosophical debate about Miracles
- The Ontological Argument
- The argument for the existence of God based on Religious Experience
- Beliefs about life after death
- A study of Myth and Symbol
Religious Ethics
- The theory of Utilitarianism
- The theory of Situation Ethics
- The role of Conscience
- War and Pacifism
- The theory of Natural Moral Law
- Kant's Categorical Imperative and Deontology
- The theories of Intuitionism and Emotivism
- The application of Justice, Law and Punishment
- Suicide and Euthanasia