RELIGIOUS STUDIES (OCR)

A2 Course Outline

Religious Studies The Study of RS at A2 requires:

  • A solid understanding of material learnt at AS
  • Reading a variety of philosophical and evaluative texts
  • A sound grasp of the chronological history of the philosophical and ethical arguments in the syllabus
  • A good command of critical vocabulary
  • Developing essay writing skills, including the planning of a well structured, critical and evaluative argument which makes effective use of references

Structure of the Exam

The OCR Religious Studies syllabus consists of two examined modules; Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics.

For Philosophy of Religion, candidates will build on their knowledge from AS, and study several topics relevant to religious belief such as the language we use to talk about God, Life after Death, the way in which the Attributes of God may affect our existence and the nature of Religious Experience.

The study of Religious Ethics at A2 will focus on what influences us as moral agents, what it means for an action to be classed as ‘good’, how free we are in our decisions, how different thinkers have viewed Conscience and the theory of Virtue Ethics, or the way our character affects our actions. Practical ethics issues such as sexuality, business and the environment will be examined and students will practice applying the ethical theories studied at AS, as well as Virtue Ethics.

In the lessons the focus will be on the close reading of texts and how to present knowledge and understanding and critique in accordance to the exam criteria. Homework usually involves close reading, note taking and essay writing.


RELIGIOUS STUDIES (OCR) A2 Level Specification

G581
Philosophy of Religion
50% of A2
1 1/2 hrs paper

  • Religious Language
  • Nature of God
  • Body and Soul - Life after Death
  • Miracles.
  • Religious Experience

G582
Religious Ethics
50% of A2 1 1/2 hrs paper

  • Meta - Ethics
  • Free will and Determinism
  • Conscience
  • Virtue Ethics
  • Applied ethics topics

Structure of the Course
This course will be taught for three lessons per week. Homework is set for every other lesson, and deadlines must be adhered to. Furthermore, it is essential that the set texts are read and comprehensive notes are taken from them, so as to aid revision.

Recommended Reading
Thomas Nagel, What does it all mean? A very Short Introduction to Philosophy.
Jostein Gaarder, Sophie's World
Brian Davis, An Introduction to Philosophy of Religion
Nigel Warburton, Philosophy, The Basics
James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy

Fees and Dates