Aims and philosophy

The course develops the ability to think analytically. Pupils are expected to consider ethical and philosophical topics from more than one point of view. Discussion forms an important part of the course as it helps pupils to handle topics confidently; it also helps them to develop the ability to express themselves articulately.

Curriculum by year-group

In the Shell year (first year): In the Autumn and Spring terms, boys are introduced to key beliefs in the monotheistic religions and they will also study key ideas from some other World Religions, for example, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. In the Summer term they begin a GCSE Course, which consists of the study of beliefs about God, life after death, marriage and the family, society and Ethics in Islam and Christianity. The Summer term examines reasons why people believe in God and reasons why some people are agnostic or atheist; the course introduces and develops the reasoning and evaluation skills vital for GCSE. According to their ability, pupils will take either a Short Course or Full Course GCSE in the summer of their Remove year. Reading might include: Sophie's World or any of the Narnia Chronicles. Suggested visits: the mosque in Regent's Park; a synagogue; or a cathedral (in London: St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral, and the Greek and Russian cathedrals).

In the Remove year (second year): All boys will take a one-year course and sit GCSE in June of their Remove year. The top three divisions (which coincide with those in English) will study for a full course GCSE (Edexcel, 2RS01: Unit 1 Religion and Life, and Unit 8 Religion and Society) focusing on philosophical ideas and ethical issues such as the existence of God, matters of life and death, the family, environment, war, systems of government, justice and medical issues through the religions of Christianity and Islam. The other divisions will take a short course GCSE (Edexcel, 3RS01: Unit 1 Religion and Life) also examining key philosophical and ethical ideas in Christianity and Islam. Both courses are assessed by 100% examination. The standard of both the full and short course is the same but the short course, as its name implies, entails less content.

Both courses are designed to be appropriate for pupils from a variety of religious backgrounds.

AS-level: One paper on Philosophy of Religion and Ethics and an Investigations examination essay, each worth 50% of the AS Level.

Philosophy of Religion entails a study of the arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil and suffering and philosophical debates about miracles.

Religious Ethics entails a study of ethical theories, the relationship between religion and morality and applied ethics (e.g. genetics, euthanasia, just war). The second paper (1hr 15mins) will take the form of a question for discussion based on an independent study of an area of the student’s guided choice: possibilities include a broad range from Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, Religion and Science, and History. This allows students to pursue areas of interest independently and gain vital research skills for future study. There is no coursework.

A2-level: There will be two further papers: one on Philosophy of Religion and Ethics (1h 45 min) and the other a Synoptic paper (1h 15 min) involving stimulus response texts from a published exam board anthology that we study throughout the year. Philosophy of Religion and Ethics entails a study of Religious Experience, the Ontological argument, Critiques of Religion, Life after Death and Religious Language. Ethics topics include religion and morality, emotivism, deontology, virtue ethics, natural moral law, relativism and justice. Synoptic texts will cover the nature of religious experience, religious language and the emergence of modern philosophy of religion. Candidates will answer one question in the exam based on the extract selected on the paper.

Outside the classroom

The Gore Society presents lectures on religious and philosophical themes given by speakers who from year to year include university lecturers, chaplains and authors on the subject. The department also organises visits to other educational institutions to hear lectures and attend revision classes.