This is a varied and interesting subject that covers many of the big questions about life.  Pupils need tolerance and an open mind as they will be challenged to study other people’s points of view and develop a thorough understanding of different religious teachings. This is a Full Course at GCSE and employers, colleges and universities award it the same academic status as any other GCSE.  All pupils will complete the full course.

What use is Philosophy and Ethics?  It helps you to develop your thinking skills to a higher level and is a particularly useful qualification in our multicultural society.  For example, it can be used for careers in Counselling, Journalism, Social Work, Teaching, Medicine, Law, the Police and Army to name but a few. As PLE examines life issues, the knowledge and skills that you gain can be applied to any subject area.

Enrichment

Pupils will receive a range of enrichment opportunities including holiday revision, after school sessions and a lunchtime Philosophy club. In addition we have celebration events to showcase work in years 7 and 8 as well as some workshops from companies such as education group who deliver workshops. (For example: Diwali).

TRIPS AND EVENTS

Pupils will be given opportunities to attend trips when it is felt there will be a significant advantage to their learning. In recent years the department has taken a lead on attending youth debates, youth parliament and Philosophy lectures (including those by renowned Philosopher Peter Vardy).

Subject Leader: Mr M Roche (mroche@fortpitt.medway.sch.uk )

Curriculum Content

Key Stage 3

Year 7

Pupils will receive a varied introduction to PLE and will consider three of the main world religions as well as considering basic philosophical issues and ultimate questions. There is also an opportunity for at least one self-research activity the results of which will be showcased in a celebration event.

Topic 1: An introduction to PLE
Topic 2: Hinduism
Topic 3: Judaism
Topic 4: Good Samaritans/ Faith in action
Topic 5: Creation Stories and Myths
Topic 6: Sikhism

Year 8

In year 8 pupils will continue to look at others of the main world religions and deepen their consideration of moral issues in today’s world. There will be particular reference to the media and the role of religion in influencing lives. There is also an opportunity for at least one self-research activity the results of which will be showcased in a celebration event.

Topic 1: Buddhism
Topic 2: Islam
Topic 3: Famous Religious People
Topic 4: Who are we?
Topic 5: Philosophical Questions and Issues
Topic 6: Religion and the Media

Key Stage 4 – GCSE

Exam board: AQA (A)

Due to limited time for the full course GCSE pupils will be introduced to the course in Year 9. Included in this course of study will be an extended research project on Christianity and Islam. All pupils will take the full course GCSE.

Year 9

Term 1: Introduction to GCSE. GCSE baseline assessment.
Term 2: Research project – Christianity
Term 3: Nature of God, Trinity, Jesus, crucifixion, resurrection
Term 4: Introduction to Christian practice 1
Term 5: Introduction to Christian practice 2
Term 6: Research project – Islam

Year 10

Term 1: Christian Belief 1 (Creation, Crucifixion, Resurrection)
Term 2: Christian Belief 2 (Afterlife, Judgement, Heaven, Hell)
Term 3: Christian Practice 1 (Worship, Prayer, Holy Communion)
Term 4: Christian Practice 2 (Church, Role of the Church, Growth and Evangelism)
Term 5: Thematic Studies 1 (Life Issues, Abortion, Euthanasia)
Term 6: Thematic Studies 2 (Crime and Punishment, Death Penalty, Religious Perspectives)

Year 11

Term 1: Islamic Belief 1 (Tawid, Angels, Prophets)
Term 2: Islamic Belief 2 (Predestination, Holy Books)
Term 3: Islamic Practice 1 (Prayer, 5 Pillars)
Term 4: Islamic Practice 2  (Hajj, Jihad, Festivals)
Term 5 Thematic Studies 1 (Human rights)
Term 6 Thematic Studies 2 (Religion, Peace and Conflict) REVISION

Key Stage 5 – A Level Religious studies

Exam board: Edexcel

In Key stage 5 PLE becomes a popular options subject. Pupils will study for a linear A-level.

Year 12

Ethics

Term 1: Utilitarianism, Deontology, Natural Moral Law
Term 2: Situation Ethics, Anthology – Barclay
Term 3: Anthology – Aristotle, Virtue Ethics
Term 4: Duty Based Ethics, Anthology – Kant
Term 5: Meta Ethics, Medical Ethics, Anthology – Euthanasia (British Law)
Term 6: Sexual Ethics, Ethics and Rights

Philosophy

Term 1: Religious Experience
Term 2: Problem of Evil, Anthology: Mackie
Term 3: Philosophical language, Ayer, Russell
Term 3: Anthology: Russell/Copleston
Term 4: Ontological Argument, Teleological Argument
Term 5: Works of scholars on Philosophy of Religion
Term 6: Religious Belief and Experience, Dawkins, Persinger, Donovan

Year 13

Christianity

Term 1: Belief and practice
Term 2: Sources of Authority
Term 3: Religious Identity
Term 4: Social and historical developments, Anthology NT
Term 5: Works of scholars and Anthology
Term 6: Primary texts

Philosophy and Ethics

In addition, there will invariably be topics that need to be covered again. As well as examination practice and a revisit of all the anthology texts studied.

Additional topics:

Environmental Ethics

War and Peace