Religious Studies
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
Shell: in the Autumn and Spring terms, boys are introduced to Judaism and Islam. In the Summer term they begin a GCSE Course which consists of the study of Christianity including beliefs, organisation, worship & ethics. The course should be seen as complementing the personal, social and health education which is also provided at Harrow. Some of the topics covered include: Personal Relationships (marriage and divorce; sexuality - the roles of men and women); Birth & Death (sanctity of life: birth control, abortion, genetic engineering; suicide, euthanasia); Peace & Justice (issues of justice and the struggle for peace; issues of race, religion and gender; pacifism, and violent and non-violent protest).
GCSE: all boys 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 comprising Christianity and Ethics. The other divisions will take a short GCSE comprising the study of Christianity including beliefs, practices and ethics. Both courses are assessed by 20% coursework and 80% by 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: Philosophy of Religion, Religion and Ethics, and a piece of coursework (2000/2500 words) chosen from either of these two modules. The Philosophy of Religion module entails a study of the arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil and suffering and philosophical debates about miracles. The Religion and Ethics module entails a study of ethical theories, the relationship between religion and morality and applied ethics (e.g. genetics, euthanasia, just war).
A-level: Philosophy of Religion, Religion and Ethics and a Controlled Task. The Philosophy of Religion entails a more detailed study of the philosophical arguments for the existence of God and concepts of proof, beliefs about life after death and religious language. Religion and Ethics entails a more detailed study of ethical theories including emotivism, natural law, Kant, the nature of ethical language, and further concepts in moral thinking and applied ethics. The Controlled Task forms the synoptic assessment of the A-level. For this, candidates will be expected to research topics linking the different modules they have studied.
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.
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