Religious Studies - GCSE

Duration of course: 2 years

Course type: GCSE

Examination Board: AQA

Overview: 

AQA GCSE Religious Studies promotes a thorough understanding of religion through an in-depth and rigorous examination of the beliefs, teachings and practices within Christianity and Islam. In Year 10 you will learn how to apply religious thought to themes such as peace and conflict, crime and punishment, abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, equal rights, animal rights and how important marriage is today. Year 11 is beliefs, teaching and practices, see below for more detail.

Assessment Method and Component Percentages: 

• Paper 1: Christianity and Islam: Beliefs and Practices 
• Paper 2: Themes: Religion and life, Relationships and Families, Peace and Conflict, Crime and Punishment.

What will I learn? 

Paper 1: Christianity: Beliefs, teachings and practices 

The nature of God as omnipotent, loving and just and the problem of evil and suffering. The oneness of God and the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Different Christian beliefs about creation and the afterlife. Jesus as the Son of God, the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Sin, including Original Sin. Different forms of worship, prayer and the significance of prayer. The role and meaning of the sacraments especially baptism, the eucharist and marriage. The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations. The role of the church in the local community, including food banks and street pastors. How Christian churches respond to the persecution, the work of a Christian charity such as Christian Aid.

Islam: Beliefs, teachings and practices 

The six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and five roots of Usual ad-Din in Shi’a Islam including key similarities and differences. Tawhid (the Oneness of God), the nature of God: omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness and justice in Shi’a Islam, including different ideas about God’s relationship with the world. Angels, their nature and role. Predestination, human freedom, the Day of Judgement, Akhirah (life after death), human responsibility and accountability, resurrection, heaven and hell. Risalah (Prophethood). The holy books: Qur’an: revelation and the authority of the Torah. Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the 10 Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam. Jihad, lesser and greater. Festivals in Great Britain and the world today.

Paper 2: Religion and life
Compatibility between science and religion, origins of the universe, environmental issues and animal rights, value of human life including issues of euthanasia and abortion.  Relationships and Families: Marriage and divorce in the UK, equality for women, attitudes to homosexuality, contraception. Peace and Conflict: Causes of war, just war theory, holy war, nuclear weapons.  Crime and Punishment: Law and order, why people commit crimes, concept of evil people and actions, aims of punishment, death penalty.

How will I learn? 

• PowerPoints in lessons, similar to those you have done in year 9
• Show My Homework

Departmental Expectations: 

• Work to the best of your ability.
• Push yourself so that you achieve your highest possible grade.
• Complete HW on time. Accept different students in the class will have different beliefs.
• Have a positive attitude.

Career Potential: 

The study of religion helps you to learn how to think critically, listen empathetically, speak thoughtfully, analyse and evaluate and write clearly—all skills that will be of great use no matter what you go on to do in life. It will also help you to better live and work in our increasingly diverse society and global world. Careers in diversity and inclusion, or business careers that work with a wide range of people will benefit from well-rounded knowledge of different beliefs and cultures. Careers that depend on argument (written and verbal!) like journalism, law, charity work and advocacy are also based on communication skills that are developed in Religious Studies.

Future Progression routes possible: 

A Level Religious Studies. Other A Levels such as Politics, History, English, Psychology. Religious Studies encourages you to analyse and write considered arguments.

Entry Requirements:

Top 150 of the Religious Studies rank order or one of best 4 subjects