OCR A Level in Religious Studies (H573)

Curriculum Intent and Overview
Students will aim to acquire a level of 'religious literacy', which means they will be able to investigate belief systems through varied experiences, approaches and disciplines, reflect on and express their own ideas, and the ideas of others, with precision and clarity, and become increasingly able to respond to beliefs in an informed, rational and insightful way. Ofsted states that learning in REP should not be confused with "mere facts", and they speak of three 'pillars of progression'. Progression, therefore, involves securing increased knowledge in the following three categories: ‘Substantive knowledge’ about various religious and non-religious traditions, ‘ways of knowing’ or how to understand and investigate religious and non-religious beliefs, and ‘personal knowledge’ which is an awareness of one’s own presuppositions and values about belief systems. We will enable students to partake in informed discussion about complex beliefs systems. Students should be able to understand, and question, the accuracy of claims about different belief systems, regardless of whether they are themselves religious or not.
REP Strategy

Curriculum Intent and Overview

Students will aim to acquire a level of 'religious literacy', which means they will be able to investigate belief systems through varied experiences, approaches and disciplines, reflect on and express their own ideas, and the ideas of others, with precision and clarity, and become increasingly able to respond to beliefs in an informed, rational and insightful way.
Ofsted states that learning in REP should not be confused with "mere facts", and they speak of three 'pillars of progression'. Progression, therefore, involves securing increased knowledge in the following three categories: ‘Substantive knowledge’ about various religious and non-religious traditions, ‘ways of knowing’ or how to understand and investigate religious and non-religious beliefs, and ‘personal knowledge’ which is an awareness of one’s own presuppositions and values about belief systems.
We will enable students to partake in informed discussion about complex beliefs systems. Students should be able to understand, and question, the accuracy of claims about different belief systems, regardless of whether they are themselves religious or not.

REP Strategy

Exam Board: OCR
Specification Number: H573
76.92% of our latest cohort achieve a grade C or above

What will be studied?

Philosophy of Religion

Ancient philosophical influences
Soul, mind and body
Arguments based on observation
Arguments based on reason
Religious experience
The Problem of Evil
The Nature or Attributes of God
Religious language
Twentieth-century perspectives

Religion and Ethics

Aquinas’ Natural Law
Fletcher’s Situation ethics
Kantian ethics
Utilitarianism
Euthanasia: applied to NML and SE
Business ethics: applied to Kant and Utilitarianism
Meta-ethical theories
Conscience
Sexual ethics: applied to all normative theories

Developments in Christian Thought

Augustine's Teaching On Human Nature
Christian Teachings on Heaven
Knowledge of God's Existence
The person of Jesus Christ
Christian Moral Principles
Christian Moral Action
Religious Pluralism and Theology
Religious Pluralism and Society
Gender and Society
Gender and Theology
The Challenge of Secularism
Liberation Theology and Marx

ASSESSMENT
Philosophy of Religion 120 Marks 2 Hour paper Answer 3 questions from a choice of 4	33% of total A Level
Religion and Ethics 120 Marks 2 Hour paper Answer 3 questions from a choice of 4	33% of total A Level
Developments in Christian Thought 120 Marks 2 Hour paper Answer 3 questions from a choice of 4	33% of total A Level

What texts are recommended?

All OCR accredited Textbooks are linked via Google Classroom, students can look at copies in RP2 to decide which is right for them. The OCR Specification has a list of ‘contextual references which are useful for students reaching for the top grades. All students have access to RS Review and Dialogue articles in the Library and shared digitally.

Introduction texts for Philosophy of Religion, Ethics and Christian Thought are:

Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy by Simon Blackburn
The Puzzle of Ethics by Peter Vardy and Paul Grosch
Christianity: A Very Short Introduction by Linda Woodhead

Texts that are required reading are as follows:

‘Theology & Falsification: A Symposium’ A. Flew, R. M. Hare, and B. Mitchell
Bible references: Genesis 3, Matthew 25:31–46, Mark 6:47–52, John 9:1–41, Matthew 5:17–48, Luke 15:11–32, Mark 5:24–34, Luke 10:25–37 and Ephesians 5:22–33
The Holy See: Redemptoris Missio 55–57 and Mulieris Dignitatem 18–19
Church of England: Sharing the Gospel of Salvation

What websites are recommended?

- Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge - ‘Cambridge in your classroom’ playlist
- Crash Course - ‘Psychology’ playlist, ‘Philosophy’ Playlist and videos on religion and history are useful.
- BBC Radio 4 - ‘History of Ideas’ playlist
- Wireless Philosophy has many specific videos that are useful
- Harvard University - ‘Justice with Michael Sandel’ is a must watch for ethics
- The Bible Project - explains relevant parts of Theology in an interesting way.

What equipment is needed?

A4 Ring Binder, hole punch, file dividers, lined paper, highlighters, pencils and pens.

Welcome to

St Albans Girls' School

OCR A Level in Religious Studies (H573)

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