Religious Studies
In today’s world some knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of believers of various religions is essential. Without it we cannot hope to comprehend such fundamental and crucial issues as politics, medical ethics, economics, war, peace, art, or literature.
As of 2005, approximately 88% of the world's population were said to "believe in God" (Cambridge University). Fewer people than this practise their faith by regular participation with their religious community in the UK. However, at Bromley High School the aim of Religious Studies is to help pupils both to understand and value each other’s beliefs. The intention is for girls to cover two broad areas of learning: ABOUT religion, providing the academic foundation and FROM religion, which encourages pupils to be reflective in their consideration of religious beliefs and practices.
Religion is a world-wide human phenomenon, a human response to our experiences, and everyone is sure to have to think about it at some time in their life. Religious Studies at Bromley High does not presuppose faith, and is designed to be accessible to students of any religious persuasion or none.
Key Stage 3
Year 7
The histories of four of the world religions: Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
Year 8
Some of today’s religious practices carried out in the six main world religions. These will be considered within and between religions. The practices will include rites of passage, festivals, pilgrimage and holy books.
Year 9
A combination of 4 of the following:
- Life after Death: this will include the consideration of Heaven and Hell; the sanctity of life; Buddhist beliefs and the existence of God. Much of this unit is explored through art and literature.
- Women in Religion: this course will consider the role of women in society at large as well as specifically within different religions. We will examine whether it is religion and/or society that gives women their position in society.
- Who wrote the Bible: this is an examination of the arguments for the historical development of the Bible – both Old and New Testaments – into the book we know today.
- Faith and Commitment: this unit examines how people as individuals and groups can demonstrate their faith and commitment to God, to their beliefs and to the world at large.
- Mythology: an examination of Greek and Nordic mythology, including the creation stories and references made to them in society today.
Religious Studies GCSE – Full Course AQA
This two year course is examined at the end of each year. Each paper is examined through a written paper of 1 ½ hours.
The aim of this course and specification should encourage students to:
- acquire knowledge and develop understanding of the beliefs, values and traditions within Christianity and Islam;
- consider the influence of the beliefs, values and traditions associated with Christianity and Islam;
- consider religious and other responses to moral issues;
- identify, investigate and respond to fundamental questions of life raised by religion and human experience, including questions about the meaning and purpose of life;
- develop skills relevant to the study of religion.
Year 10: Unit 2 – Religion and Life Issues
- Topic 1 Religion and Animal Rights
- Topic 2 Religion and Planet Earth
- Topic 3 Religion and Prejudice
- Topic 4 Religion and Early Life
- Topic 5 Religion, War and Peace
- Topic 6 Religion and Young People
Year 11: Unit 4 – Religious Philosophy and Ultimate Questions
- Topic 1 The Existence of God
- Topic 2 Revelation
- Topic 3 The Problem of Evil and Suffering
- Topic 4 Immortality
- Topic 5 Miracles
- Topic 6 Science and Religion