KS4 - Religious Studies

10

What students will learn

How it builds on learning

Christianity (J625/01)

Students will start their study by exploring the Christian faith, and how it is lived out today. 

This includes:

the nature of God,

the concept of the Trinity,

views on Creation,

the problem of evil,

the person and teachings of Jesus,

 the concept of salvation,

eschatology,

worship and sacraments,

prayer,

pilgrimage,

celebrations,

the role of the church in both the local community and the wider world.

Students will study this following a roughly chronological curriculum, which means that they can understand the flow of Christian narratives and how this shapes the faith today.

Students will find links between this topic and lots of their prior learning going back to KS1 and KS2.  Within the KS3 curriculum there are clear links between the problem of evil (7.2), beliefs about life after death (8.1) different perspectives on Jesus (8.4), Christian ethics (9.1) the impact of religion today (7.1 and 9.4).

This topic is also a building block for all of the thematic units (J625/06) in the course.

Relationships and Families (J625/06)

Students look to apply their knowledge of religion and faith to a range of ethical questions.

This includes:

the concept of a family relationship today, marriage,

divorce,

changing patterns in society,

gender equality,

 same sex relationships,

attitudes to LGBT+ people,

prejudice and discrimination.

Students look at the issues of the topic, as well as both religious (predominantly Christian) and non-religious perspectives on each one.

All of the thematic units in the GCSE build upon the Christianity topic (J625/01) as they are looking at the content via a Christian perspective.

This topic also has links to topics in KS3 including; the religious views of the country (7.1), perspectives on Jesus (8.2), Christian ethics (9.1), the impact of religion on shaping society (7.1 and 9.4), and may link to the elective topic students study (9.3).

Religion, Peace and Conflict (J625/06)

Students look to apply their knowledge of religion and faith to a range of ethical questions.

This includes:

questions around the use of violence;

reasons for and different types of warfare;

the concept of pacifism;

the role of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the world today;

as well as examples of people and organisations who work in the areas covered.

Students look at the issues of the topic, as well as both religious (predominantly Christian) and non-religious perspectives on each one.

All of the thematic units in the GCSE build upon the Christianity topic (J625/01) as they are looking at the content via a Christian perspective.

This topic also has links to topics in KS3 including: the concept of suffering (7.2), beliefs about life after death (8.1), perspectives on Jesus (8.4), Christian ethics (9.1), attitudes to forgiveness (9.2), the impact of religion on society today (9.4) ), and may link to the elective topic students study (9.3).

The existence of God (J625/06)

Students look to apply their knowledge of religion and faith to a range of ethical questions.

This includes:

questions around the nature of God and the problem of evil,

arguments for the existence of God and the purpose of humans,

claims of experiencing God and their verifiability.

Students look at the issues of the topic, as well as both religious (predominantly Christian) and non-religious perspectives on each one.

All of the thematic units in the GCSE build upon the Christianity topic (J625/01) as they are looking at the content via a Christian perspective.

This topic also has links to topics in KS3 including: the problem of evil (7.2), claims about the afterlife (8.1), perspectives on Jesus (8.4) ), and may link to the elective topic students study (9.3).

11

What students will learn

How it builds on learning

Islam (J625/02)

Students will explore the Islamic faith, and how it is lived out today. 

This includes:

core beliefs about Allah,

the range of Holy books and their significance,

chains of prophecy,

judgement and predestination,

different schools of Islamic thought,

the roles of angels in Islam,

eschatology,

prayer,

fasting,

almsgiving and charity,

pilgrimage,

the concept of jihad, and challenging misconceptions around this

festivals and celebrations

Students will find links between this topic and lots of their prior learning going back to KS1 and KS2.  Within the KS3 curriculum there are clear links between the study of Islamic artwork (7.3), as well as perspectives on the problem of evil (7.2), life after death (8.1), Jesus (8.4), as well as the impact of religion on society today (7.1 and 9.4).

Dialogue between religions and non-religious beliefs and attitudes (J625/06)

Students look to apply their knowledge of religion and faith to a range of ethical questions.

This includes:

the history of Christianity as the established faith in Britain;

the role of Christianity in modern Britain, changing attitudes to religion;

secular and non-religious perspectives; potential areas of dispute between religious and secular views on topics; medical ethics.

Students look at the issues of the topic, as well as both religious, predominantly Christian, and non-religious perspectives on each one.

All of the thematic units in the GCSE build upon the Christianity topic (J625/01) as they are looking at the content via a Christian perspective.

This topic also has links to topics in KS3 including: the religious nature of Britain (7.1), the impact of religion on society today (9.4), ethical arguments (9.1), and may link to the elective topic students study (9.3).

The existence of God (J625/06) – Completion of the topic

Students look to apply their knowledge of religion and faith to a range of ethical questions.

This includes:

questions around the nature of God and the problem of evil;

arguments for the existence of God and the purpose of humans;

claims of experiencing God and their verifiability.

Students look at the issues of the topic, as well as both religious (predominantly Christian) and non-religious perspectives on each one.

All of the thematic units in the GCSE build upon the Christianity topic (J625/01) as they are looking at the content via a Christian perspective.

This topic also has links to topics in KS3 including: the problem of evil (7.2), claims about the afterlife (8.1), perspectives on Jesus (8.4) ), and may link to the elective topic students study (9.3).