AS/A Level Course Content

1. Home
2. Subjects
3. Religion, Philosophy & Ethics
4. Scheme of Learning
5. AS/A Level

The AQA Religious Studies: Philosophy and Ethics course can be studied as an AS Level (one year) or A Level (two years).

Pupils will study two distinct areas Philosophy and Ethics, each comprising of 3 lessons per week.   

Pupils will also have the opportunity to attend a Philosophy and Ethics conference at the University of Cambridge.  Speakers this year included Professor Keith Ward, Dr John Frye and Professor Mark Wynn.

AS Level

• RSS01: Religion and Ethics - Students will explore Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics and Feminism as influences on moral decision making with particular emphasis on the medical ethical issues of Abortion and Euthanasia.
• RSS04: Religion, Philosophy and Science - Students will explore Miracles, Creationism and the Design Argument and critique different responses.

Essential Course Reading

All pupils will  be required to purchase the following textbooks (new or second-hand) to aid with their studies.

• AQA Religious Studies AS Philosophy of Religion (ISBN: 978-0748798209)
• AQA Religious Studies AS Ethics (ISBN: 978-0748798193)

 

A2 Level

• RST3B: Philosophy of Religion - Students will look at the ontological argument and the relationship between reason and faith , as well as considering the role of the body, the soul and personal identity.
• RST4C: Ways of Moral Decision-Making - This is a Synoptic unit where students will be required to draw on knowledge from other elements of the course. Students will produce an essay based on responses to medical issues such as Genetic Engineering and Animal Experimentation.

Within the Philosophy element of the course students will study:
• Ancient Greek and Judaeo-Christian influences on philosophy of religion
• Traditional arguments for the existence of God
• Challenges to religious belief
• Religious Experiences
• Miracles

Within the Ethics element of the course students will study:
Ethical theories such as:

• Natural Law
• Kantian Ethics
• Utilitarianism
• Situation Ethics
• Virtue Ethics
• The role of the conscience

• Applied Ethics: Applying the above theories to the issues of: Abortion; Euthanasia; Genetic Engineering and Animal Experimentation

Essential Course Reading

All pupils will  be required to purchase the following textbooks (new or second-hand) to aid with their studies.

• AQA Religious Studies A2 Philosophy of Religion (ISBN: 978-1408513842)
• AQA Religious Studies A2 Ethics (ISBN: 978-1408513835)

Download .