Study at PSC

Religious Studies explores the differing approaches to the bigger questions of life through the lens of Philosophy, Ethics and Buddhism. A range of historical, analytic and philosophical skills are necessary for this subject as well as an open mind, the ability to question and weigh up evidence and formulate reasoned arguments. This course explores issues such as the relationship between morality and religion, the existence and non-existence of God, life after death, the problem of evil, the right to die, origins of the universe, how to lead the good life and find contentment, perceptions on the nature of reality, is a persons purpose and ability to be happy and content dependent on a higher being or does it come from an internal psychological journey? In order to seek answers to these issues a range of philosophers, religious and secular thinkers spanning from ancient Greece, India, China, Japan to modern Europe will be studied. 

The RS course comprises of three units: Philosophy of Religion, Ethics and Buddhism. 

Year 1

• The Philosophy of Religion: The Design Argument, The Cosmological Argument, The Nature of Religious Experience and The problem of evil and suffering.
• Ethics: Environmental Ethics, Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, Natural Moral Law, War and Peace, Sexual Ethics and Equality. 
• Buddhism: The Life and Historical Background of the Buddha, The Four Noble Truths, The Three Refuges, Meditation, The Five Precepts and The Significance of the Pali-cannon and the Distinctive Practices of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.

Year 2

• Buddhism: The Spread of Buddhism to China and Japan with specific reference to Pure Land and Zen Buddhism, Buddhism in the West with reference to Friends of The Western Buddhist Order, The Role of Women in Buddhism  and the Bodhisattva Doctrine in the Mahayana Tradition.
• The Philosophy of Religion:  Religious Language, Life after Death, The debate Between Religion and Science, The Ontological argument and Critiques of Religion. 
• Ethics: Ethical Language, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, Medical Ethics with a focus on the Beginning and End of life and The Relationship Between Morality and Religion. 

Key works from scholars will be addressed in all of the areas.

The approach to teaching and learning is student centred  and the teachers use a variety of tasks and differentiation strategies such as discussion, reading and visual resources. There will also be the opportunity to develop independent study through study packages and resource based learning.

The final assessment will comprise of three equally weighted two hour exams, one on the Philosophy of Religion, one on Ethics and one on Buddhism. Each paper has the same format of five compulsory questions. 

This Advanced level qualification is an excellent Humanities qualification and will help gain entry into a wide range of Higher Education courses. Many of the skills developed through the course will relate to a wide range of careers, such as the Travel, Public and International Relations, Journalism, Creative Writing, Historian, TV, Radio and Social Media, Police work, Medicine, Law, Teaching and HR. 

The study of RS also links to other subjects such as Philosophy, Politics, Classics, History, Literature and Sociology.

Resource booklets will be provided by the department for use in lessons, there is a requirement to purchase three textbooks. The college has a Student Support Fund for those students who have difficulty meeting these costs.