AS/A2 Religious Studies

AS / A2 Religious Studies

WHY TAKE RELIGIOUS STUDIES?
Religious Studies at Priestley encourages students to develop their interest in a rigorous study of religion and its relation to the wider world. You will reflect on and develop your own values, opinions and attitudes in the light of your learning.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF STUDY?
There are two units covered in this course. Unit one looks at Ethics and includes subjects such as Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics and Religious Teaching on the nature and value of human life, exploring topics such as Abortion and Euthanasia. Unit two looks at Religion and Contemporary Society and includes subjects such as Changing patterns of religious practice in the UK during the 20th century, Expressions of religion within society, Issues of identity and belonging and an introduction to New Religious Movements and the rise of new forms of religious activity during the 20th century.

WHAT SKILLS WILL I NEED AND DEVELOP?
This subject requires academic discipline, whereby knowledge, understanding and written skills are essential along with an enquiring, critical and reflective approach. There will be opportunity to engage in discussions and debates honing your argumentative skills. You will engage in group work, research projects and class presentations in addition to completing written assignments regularly.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
There will be two written exams; one in January and one in June in each year.

PRIESTLEY EXTRA
Religious Studies students have travelled to Poland and Germany where they have visited Auschwitz concentration camp, synagogues, Schindler's Factory, and a salt mine. We've also run a joint Sociology trip to Egypt where students visited Mount Sinai and St Catherine's monastery. The six day excursion included a trip to Cairo where students visited the Pyramids, Sphinx and Cairo museum.