Courses

Religious Studies

 

Religious Studies AS/A2 – WJEC

 The course will provide students with opportunities to:

  • develop an interest in and enthusiasm for a rigorous study of religion
  • adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion
  • critically evaluate and justify points of view through the use of evidence and reasoned argument.
















Course Outline

There are four units – two at AS and two at A2.

 

AS Level

It is worth 50% of the A level. Candidates study two units, each one worth 50% of the AS:

 

1.      RS1 - Introduction to Religion and Ethics

  • Aquinas’ Natural Law
  • Situation Ethics: Joseph Fletcher
  • Utilitarianism: Bentham and Mill
  • Applied Ethics – ethical teaching of one religion on sexual orientation, sexual relationships and marriage.

 

A 1 hour 15 minute written examination is sat in January. Four structured questions are set, of which candidates will be required to answer two.

 

2.     RS2 - Introduction to Philosophy of Religion

  • The existence of God (i) – Cosmological Arguments
  • The existence of God (ii) – Teleological Arguments
  • Evil and Suffering
  • An introduction to Religious Experience: Mysticism

 

A 1 hour 15 minute written examination is sat in May. Four structured questions are set, of which candidates will be required to answer two.

 

A2 Level

It is worth 50% of the course. Candidates study two units, each one is worth 50% of the A2:

 

3.     RS3 – Studies in Religion

Candidates develop a synoptic understanding of Religion and Ethics OR Philosophy of Religion by examining complex ethical theories and issues or philosophical concepts.

 

Studies in Religion and Ethics

  • Aristotle’s Virtue Theory
  • Kant’s Moral Theory
  • The Ethics of War
  • Medical and Genetic Ethics
  OR

Studies in Philosophy of Religion

  • Is religious faith rational?
  • Is religious language meaningful?
  • Is religious faith compatible with scientific evidence?
  • Are we ‘free’ beings?

A 1 hour 45 minute written examination is sat in June. Four structured questions are set, of which candidates will be required to answer two.


4.     RS4 – Studies in Religion and Human Experience

Candidates investigate one of the topics below:

  • Religious Authority
  • Religious Experience
  • Life, Death and Life After Death

A 1 hour 45 minute written examination is sat in June. Three structured questions are set, of which candidates will be required to answer one.

For more information visit the WJEC Exam Board Website


Entry Requirements



You can download entry requirements for all courses below. Please note that your enrolment on to a particular course must be approved by the Head of that department.

PDF Subject Entry Requirements