KS5

Students can opt to study the Philosophy and Ethics AS and A2 OCR course. This course is 100% examination and is taught during 4 hours a week in year 12 and 5 hours a week in year 13.

Year 12 - AS course content

In the AS course you will complete two units, one is a Philosophy unit and the other is an Ethics unit. The Philosophy section involves the study of Plato and Aristotle; and looks at the concept of a creator who acts in the world, including the concept of miracle. This unit explores the classical arguments for and against the existence of God including the problem of evil. Also, we study the ideas of psychologists such as Freud and Jung.

The Ethics module investigates what we mean by ‘right' and ‘wrong' and studies the concept of absolute and relative morality. The theories of Natural law, Kantian Ethics and Utilitarianism are studied and applied to issues such as abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering and war and peace.

Year 13 - A2 course content

A2 also contains a Philosophy and an Ethics module which develops knowledge from AS and introduces more key Philosophical and Ethical debates. The Philosophy module explores the idea of the body/soul distinction and concepts of life after death, the phenomenon of religious experience, and how language is used to describe the indescribable. The Ethics module involves the study of the idea that our actions may be predetermined and the concept of free-will. We study conscience and explore debates about what conscience actually is. Christian and non religious ethical theories are applied to issues such as medical practices, environment and business ethics and sex and relationships.

Course Requirements

You do not have to have studied GCSE Religious Studies but you do need GCSE grade ‘C' in Religious Studies and/or English. You must be hard working, organised, capable of meeting deadlines and committed to doing well. This course would complement English language, literature. History, Psychology and Sociology. A qualification in Religious Studies could lead to careers in the public sector such as teaching, counselling, social work etc. This qualification would also be of benefit for someone pursuing a career in the medical profession. Both courses are completely examination based.