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Religious Studies is a compulsory subject and all pupils will cover a GCSE syllabus containing 3 components.
Component 1: Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World contains four main topics:
(i) Issues of Relationships, which looks at family relationships, sexual relationships, marriage, changing relationships and issues of gender equality.
(ii) Issues of Life and Death, which looks at Creation, the value of life, quality and sanctity of life, medical ethics and beliefs about death and the afterlife.
(iii) Issues of Good and Evil, which looks at religious and philosophical reasons for evil and suffering in the world, how ethical decisions might be made and the purposes of legal punishment.
(iv) Issues of Human Rights, which looks at what human rights are, religious reasons for supporting human rights and the way that religious believers have fought for human rights in the past. This unit also looks at reasons for prejudice and discrimination and religious views on equality.
Component 2: Christianity:
The nature of God; Christian beliefs about creation; beliefs about Jesus including beliefs about salvation, beliefs about judgement, resurrection and life after death and Christian practices such as forms of worship, eucharist, baptism and pilgrimage.
Component 3: Islam:
The articles of faith, which outline the beliefs of Sunni Muslims and the roots of religion which outline the beliefs of Shia Muslims. The second part of this unit covers Islamic practices such as the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam, religious festivals and the meaning of Jihad.
There will be three examination papers. The Component 1 paper will last for two hours and carries 50% of the total mark. Components 2 and 3 each have a 60 minute exam. Each of these papers carry 25% of the marks.
Knowledge of different religions and cultures is valuable for careers that involve working with people. These include public services such as the police, teaching, social services or health. It is also valuable for those pupils wishing to continue their studies in English Literature, History , Philosophy, Law etc. Recently, Russell group universities have stated their preference for students wishing to study sciences to have demonstrated ability in other areas such as humanities subjects.