GCSE Religious Education (Edexcel)
Please use this link to access the video presentation. Your child will need to log in using their school email address and password.
WHY STUDY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION?
Religious Education will develop students’ ability to analyse, evaluate, and think critically. The GCSE is also a strong basis for progression to A-level Philosophy which is highly regarded As a level by many universities. Religious Education is a subject for anyone interested in people and their behaviour and moral dilemmas or issues. Indeed Philosophy (which is part of the RE course), Politics and Economics degrees are held by many of the key decision-makers in the country.
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
The topics students will study include:
Christian Beliefs and Practices
This topic will look at the origins and explanations for the core beliefs of Christianity, including the belief in the Trinity, the life and lessons of Jesus, the role of the Bible, the sacraments, the difference between Catholicism and Protestantism and the role of prayer, pilgrimage etc.
Marriage and the family
This includes debate and analysis of key issues surrounding the family and society, including reasons for the rising trends in divorce and changing attitudes towards alternative family types. Questions such as, “is homosexuality a sin?”, “Should people be allowed to divorce?” and “is marriage a sacrament?”
Matters of life and death
This will study all stages of life from the very beginnings of life at conception to the end of life through analysing questions such as “Is abortion acceptable?”, “Should assisted euthanasia to be legalised? “ and “At what point does a life begin and end?”
Muslim Beliefs and Practices
This topic will look at the core beliefs of Islam and the Sunni and Shi’a perspectives, including the articles of faith and the roots of Usul ad-Din. We will look at the role of holy books, angels, prophets etc. We will also
Examine how these beliefs manifest in practice, including an in-depth examination of the five pillars and comparing these to the 10 obligatory acts.
Crime and Punishment
This unit includes an examination of the causes and consequences of acts of crime from ethical, religious, non-religious and humanist perspectives. This includes aspects such as the aims of punishment, the effectiveness of punishment, the role of reformation, issues surrounding the death penalty, corporal punishment, Shari’ah law and if we should even punish criminals.
Peace and Conflict
From the causes of terrorism and radicalisation to the impact of modern conflicts on societies and causes of war, this topic enables lots of topical applications to current issues in the world. Diverse figures will be discussed, from conscientious objectors such as Muhammed Ali to world leaders and their impact on peace and conflict, such as Donald Trump.
HOW WILL STUDENTS BE ASSESSED
Two examinations will include a combination of short and long answer questions.
Paper 1B: Christianity and Ethics
Paper 2C: Islam, Peace and Conflict
CAREERS LINKS
Religious Education is relevant and useful for any career involving other people.
Public Services | The Education Sector | Management and Human Resources | Medicine (due to the ethical components in medicine courses) | Journalism | Politics | Research | Health and Social Care
Further information on this specification is available from the qualification website:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/religious-studies-b-2016.html