Subjects > Religious Education > KS4 (GCSE)
Year 9
In Year 9, students will begin their GCSE Religious Studies course. This is a new and exciting development for the department. The same course is also being studied by Year 10 and 11 students at present. Students will follow the OCR syllabus 'Philosophy and Ethics', details of which can be seen on the KS4 (GCSE) page.
Year 10 and 11 students will follow the OCR syllabus 'Philosophy and Ethics'.
GCSE Philosophy and Ethics
Students will extend their knowledge and understanding of Christianity, and have an opportunity to make comparisons to other religions. They will be actively encouraged to formulate their own opinions and ideas.
The KS4 course will fulfil the guidelines of the East Riding Agreed Syllabus. The course is balanced in terms of breadth and depth. It builds upon the foundation laid in KS3. It gives students the opportunity to further both their knowledge and understanding, but also gives them time to reflect upon their own beliefs, opinions and ideas. It will be possible for some students to gain a full GCSE whilst others will complete a short course in RE.A short course is equivalent to half a normal GCSE qualification and students are graded A*-G just as in the full courses. The course will be 100% examination based and no coursework will be involved.
Topics covered in the Philosophy section of the course include:
- 'The Nature of God', which looks at religious views about the nature and existence of God
- 'Religion and Science', which looks at religious and scientific views about the creation of the world
- 'Death and the Afterlife', which examines beliefs about life after death
- 'Good and Evil' which examines the problem of suffering and evil.
Topics covered in the Ethics section of the course include
- 'Religion and Human Relationships' which looks at issues surrounding the roles of men and women, sex, marriage, contraception and divorce
- 'Religion and Medical Ethics' which looks at issues surrounding abortion, fertility treatment, euthanasia, suicide and the use of animals in medical research
- 'Religion Poverty & Wealth' which looks at issues surrounding hunger, poverty, disease, concern for the poor, the right uses of money
- 'Religion, Peace and Justice' which examines issues around violence, war, pacifism, crime and punishment and social justice.