GCSE Religious Studies

What the subject is about:

Religious Studies helps you to explore religions and beliefs and reflect on fundamental questions related

to belief. Studying Religious Studies can enhance your personal, social and cultural development and

give you a greater understanding of different cultures locally, nationally and in the wider world.

In studying this course you will:

• develop your interest in and enthusiasm for the study of religion and relate this to the world

around you;

• reflect on and develop your own values, opinions

and attitudes;

• engage with fundamental questions related to beliefs.

Course content and assessment schedule:

Content / Assessment / Weighting
Unit 3.2 (Year 11)
The Christian Church with a Focus on the Catholic Church
This unit aims to introduce students to a study of Christian belief and practice with a
particular focus on the Catholic Church.
  1. The Birth of the Christian Church and Christianity in Ireland
  2. Church Government
  3. Worship in the Catholic Church
  4. Sacraments in theCatholic Church
  5. The Role of the Church inContemporary Society
/ External Assessment
One written examination will last 1 hour 30 minutes. There will be
some questions which require
short answer responses and some
which require extended writing.
(Examination taken at the end of Year 12) / 50%
Unit 3.8 An Introduction to Christian Ethics (Year 12)
This unit aims to introduce students to ethics within the study of religion. Students
explore personal and family issues, matters of life and death, care for the environment,
equality, and war and peace.
  1. Personal and Family Issues
  2. Matters of Life and Death
  3. Care for the Environment
  4. Equality
  5. War and Peace
/ External Assessment
One written examination will last 1 hour 30 minutes.
There will be
some questions which require
short answer responses and some
which require extended writing. / 50%

Attributes needed to succeed in the course

Students must:-

  • Have an interest in and enthusiasm for the study of religion.
  • Be able to reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in light of their

learning.

  • Be able to select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to their purpose and to complex

subject matter

  • Be able to use evidence and reasoned argument to express and evaluate personal responses,

and differing viewpoints.