Philosophy and Theology
Qualification: A-Level
- Awarding Body:
- Eduqas
- Length of Course:
- 2 Year
Philosophy component
The Philosophy of Religion unit helps students to explore some of the main contemporary philosophical issues and questions about religion, such as belief in God or the conviction that life has both meaning and purpose. Students will engage with arguments and debates on religious and non-religious views of life, which focus on some key areas of controversy, such as the problem of evil and suffering, new atheism and religious experience. They will also investigate how religious language has shaped philosophical debate.
Ethics component
The Religion and Ethics unit is focused on exploring both common ground and controversy in dealing with issues that arise in the areas of morality and religion in the context of the modern and ancient world. In this paper, students will study issues such as; homosexuality, abortion and euthanasia and touch upon the ethics of nuclear war and animal experimentation. Students will apply ethical theories to these issues for example St Thomas Aquinas’ Natural Law Theory and Utilitarianism.
Study of a religion: Christianity component
The Christianity unit is set in a historical context so that students can become familiar with some of the more technical language and terminology used in the texts. There is a focus on understanding how the first Christians understood the New Testament text and how they expressed and interpreted the relationship between Jesus and God. Students will also study social and historical developments in religious thought for example; thoughts concerning migration, equality and wealth. Key religious concepts are explored in detail to enlighten students on the various approaches behind the Eucharist and Incarnation of Jesus amongst others.
Our exam board is Eduqas A-Level Religious Studies. Three separate exams will be sat at the end of each year of study examining each component. All three components are equally weighted.
Method of Assessment
Three externally examined two hour exam papers in the final year of the course
Papers and Content Overview
| Philosophy of Religion |
|
• Arguments for the existence of God – inductive • Arguments for the existence of God – deductive • Challenges to religious belief – the problem of evil and suffering • Challenges to religious belief – religious belief as a product of the human mind • Religious experience • Religious language |
| Christianity |
|
• Religious figures and sacred texts • Religious concepts and religious life • Social and historical developments in religious thought • Religious practices that shape religious identity |
| Religion & Ethics |
|
• Ethical thought • Deontological ethics • Teleological ethics • Determinism and Free Will • Deontology • Virtue Ethics • Medical Ethics • Beginning and end of life issues |
This course enables students to study in greater depth aspects of the Christian faith, including textual, theological, historical, ethical and philosophical perspectives.
Relevance to Further Studies and Careers
Religious Studies is a popular choice for university courses and it can be combined with a wide range of subjects. It is recommended as a facilitating subject by the Russell group of universities. It can form the basis for numerous professional careers including teaching, medicine and health care, legal work, political life, journalism, social work, counselling and religious ministry.
