PRE

In Philosophy, Religion & Ethics we examine and evaluate what people believe and why. Students not only study the history and beliefs of the world’s major religions, but also examine important philosophical and ethical themes such as the nature of life, identity and medical ethics.

You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas, leadership and research skills. All these skills will help prepare you for further study and the world outside school and potential careers in:

• Medicine • Journalism

• Law • Business

• Education

Philosophy, Religion & Ethics develops many skills that will help you throughout life such as:

• Reasoning • Evaluation and analysis

• Debating • Reflection

• Oracy skills • Independent learning

• An understanding of current affairs and issues.

Intervention/catch-up sessions run once a week. The Department also runs an after school Philosophy club and has run trips to conferences, Westminster Abbey, the Supreme Court and Cambridge University.

YEAR 7 – WHAT DO WE BELIEVE IN?

• What is Philosophy, Religion & Ethics?

• Judaism - The Jewish Experience

• Creation stories from around the world

• Who is Jesus?- Christianity

• An introduction to philosophy

• Islam - A Muslim Experience

YEAR 8 – BEING HUMAN

• Ethics for beginners

• Sikhism - A Faith in Action

• The Value of human life - Genetic engineering

• Buddhism - How can we be happy?

• Is the World Fair? - Issues of Prejudice and discrimination

• Sacred spaces

• Christian beliefs and practice

• Muslim beliefs and practice

• Human rights and social justice

• Peace and conflict

• Crime and punishment

• Issues of life, death and the afterlife

Topics studied will promote thinking about ‘big questions’ like:

• Who or what is God?

• Is there life after death?

• Is it right to use animals for the benefit of humans?

• Is war ever justified?

• Is it ever right to use violence to make changes for the better?

• How can God exist if bad things happen?

• Can the use of the death penalty ever be justified?

• Is it right to help someone who is suffering, if it breaks the law?

• Is the quality of a life more important than the sanctity of life?

• How did the Holocaust happen?

• A level Religious Studies: Christianity and Philosophy of Religion and Ethics.