What Questions might come up?  2024 ...  Read the Exam Grid and write your own PEQs! use the PEQ pages here...

Some thoughts 

Philosophy

> Hard to say which of the four Anthologies?   My bet is on Prob of evil - J L Mackie ... but could be something else!

> On the 30 mk hard to say maybe prob of evil ... religious lang life after death or anything really

Ethics

> Hard to say which of the four Anthologies?  My bet would be on Aristotle or Kant  .. but could be something else!

> On the 30 mk  natuiral moral law, 

 >

Buddhism

> Basham and / OR Rahula for the Anthology ! Id be surprised if its anything else  but I guess it could be.

 > On the 30 mk  

 > 

Why Study Alevel RS- Student Stories

PHILOSOPHY, ETHICS AND BUDDHISM – A Level RS Course Content 

Overview 

Two year A level course studying Philosophy of Religion (Philosophy = the study of ideas) and Ethics (beliefs about right and wrong) and the study of one religion (Buddhism). Tackle some of life‟s most interesting “Big Questions”: 

 Is God real, and how can we tell? What might God be like? 

 Are the soul and the afterlife real? What about miracles? 

 How can we be sure what right and wrong are? And what does it mean to be a good person? 

 Do we have a responsibility to care for the environment? 

 Is War ever justified?

 What makes a relationship ethical? 

Year 12 

Philosophy: The design argument, The cosmological argument, Ontological argument, The problem of evil and religious experience. 

Ethics: Environmental issues, Equality, Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics,Natural Moral Law

Buddhism: The Teachings of the Buddha including the 4 noble truths, 8 fold path, three poisons, 5 aggregates, 3 marks of existence and the life of the Buddha himself. 

Year 13 

Philosophy: Philosophy of language, Life after death, the soul and science and religion. 

Ethics: Meta-ethics, The relationship between religion and moralit,  Deontology and Virtue Ethics,  Medical Ethics 

Buddhism: Types of Buddhism, Meditation, Gender and Buddhism and contemporary Buddhism. 

Assessment method 

At the end of Year 12 you will sit end of year exams, these will not count towards your final results. There are three final written examinations at the end of Year 13. 

Additional information 

In addition to homework you will also be expected to carry out a minimum of 5 hours independent study per fortnight in each subject studied. During these study periods you will work on written essays, read around the subject, and work on activities booklets. 

You will need a copy of Edexcels "AS Religious Studies‟ by Tyler and Reid (ISBN:9781846903342) and @A2 Religious Studies‟ by Tyler and Reid (ISBN: 9781846904943). Talks from various religious leaders including a Buddhist Monk. 

Entry requirements 

Five GCSE Grade 6 to 9 including Maths. 

For more information contact: peter.kernaghan@marling.gloucs.sch.uk

Exam board: Edexcel

Futures: MY FUTURE. MY CAREER. MY RE.

Law, political science, bioethics, teaching and lecturing, social work, care work. 

Click the following to find out about RE Case Studies in Carrer progression

Course Introduction and Induction Info

“Are we human beings having a spiritual experience, or spiritual beings having a human experience?” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin 

What does Scholarship look like in Philosophy, Ethics and Belief?

What we expect:

·         Use of specific quotes which are referenced to the scholar and the book/website, if possible

·         Use of scholars to show who has written about the topic/unit

·         Evidence of reading/understanding beyond the work completed in lessons

·         Use of this reading to show greater depth and breadth in your written work

What does this mean you need to do?

1.    Read. (see below )

Ø  This can mean reading a book, an article from your unit info booklets, a website, a blog, a commentary and so on.

Ø  Read regularly – three times a week across the subject, one thing per area

Ø  Complete reading reviews on the above – three a week, one per area

2.    Watch.

Ø  YouTube has loads of relevant clips and channels such as:

o    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVWtejv2BR2cblbiEoSO7oA - Buddha Bits

o    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A_CAkYt3GY&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNgK6MZucdYldNkMybYIHKR – Crash Course Philosophy

o    https://www.youtube.com/user/MrMcMillanREvis/playlists?sort=dd&view=50&shelf_id=7 – Mr McMillan - Philosophy

o    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClUlAXAtjckFB1hMC-thooQ/videos - Ben Wardle - Ethics

o    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2PA-AKmVpU6NKCGtZq_rKQ - Philosophy Tube - Ethics a-go-go

3.    Listen.

Ø  Podcasts are endless in their options. Make sure you choose ones that are appropriate and relevant to your course. Objectivism is key

4.    Make notes.

Ø  Write down anything of note from the above four. This means the following:

o    What a scholar/presenter etc, not mentioned in class, comments on one of your topics

o    Quotes that you have not been given in class that are relevant

o    Lists of scholars that are relevant to the topic you are doing in class

o    Key words that are connected to what you are doing in class

o    Ways in which what you are doing in one area can be linked to another area

o    Examples to support/reject/challenge/extend what you are doing in class

If all else fails, the subject website! 

Ket Docs - mark schemes + exam advice + sams.

TIPS for Exam Success!

Different questions require different styles of writing. 

You’ve probably noticed that a lot of the 12 mark questions in section A, with a little rewording, could be 30 mark questions in section C. All of the questions in the first two sections of this paper require you to be incredibly concise. Ensure you know exactly what each type of question is looking for. 

The 8 mark questions are a bit like a GCSE question. It’s all about getting the knowledge down, you don’t need to analyse/evaluate. You don’t need to write as much as you may think for these 8 mark questions, but you do need to be incredibly precise. A short answer that is 100% accurate and to the point demonstrates far more 23 skill than an answer that is double the length and full of waffle. Showing that you know what is irrelevant demonstrates a huge amount of knowledge. 

The 12 mark questions are, in my opinion, the most difficult on the paper. Not necessarily in terms of content and knowledge, but in terms of discipline. The key to answering them well is planning. Save a minute or two on the 8 mark question by being to the point and then use that time to jot down everything you know about the 12 mark question. Pick 2-3 points that complement one another. Go into detail and come to a succinct but strong conclusion. 

In the 10 mark questions in section B, it’s all about the passage. If it’s not in the passage, don’t mention it. Every time you make an assertion, link it back to the passage with a short quotation. Even if it’s only one word, put it in quotation marks. It might seem a bit weird but it shows the examiner that your answer is entirely focused on the passage. 

So what’s the difference between the 20 mark analyse and the 30 mark evaluate questions? Obviously the 20 mark question requires you to analyse and the 30 mark question requires you to evaluate, but what does that even mean? I like to think of analysis as investigating. Spell out what it is you’re talking about, interpret it, pick holes in it and offer counter arguments. An evaluation does that and then goes a step further. You have to decide whether something’s useful or valid and make a judgement about the bigger picture. 

Mark scheme

Section A Questions 

8 Mark (Explore) Questions 

These are ONLY assessing AO1. 

The Specimen paper mark scheme states: ‘AO1 will be used by candidates to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and specialist language and terminology when responding to the question.’ 

To get into the top band (6-8 marks) you must demonstrate: 

• A wide range of knowledge, specialist language and terminology are carefully selected and used appropriately, accurately and sustained throughout (AO1). 

• Knowledge and understanding addresses a broad range of key religious ideas and beliefs (AO1). 

• Comprehensively develops key religious ideas and beliefs to show a depth of understanding (AO1). 

12 mark (Assess) Questions 

These assess BOTH A01 (4 marks) and AO2 (8 marks). The Specimen paper mark scheme states: 

‘AO1 will be used by candidates to underpin their analysis and evaluation. Candidates will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding using specialist language and terminology when responding to the question… AO2 requires candidates to develop their answers showing analytical and evaluative skills to address the question. Such responses will be underpinned by their use of knowledge and understanding.’ 

To get into the top band (9-12 marks) you must demonstrate: 

• A wide range of knowledge, specialist language and terminology are carefully selected and used appropriately, accurately and sustained throughout (AO1). 

• Critically deconstructs religious information/issues leading to coherent and logical chains of reasoning (AO2). 

• Constructs coherent and reasoned judgements of the full range of elements in the question (AO2). 

Section B Questions 

10 Mark (Clarify) Questions 

These are ONLY assessing A01. The Specimen paper mark scheme states:

‘AO1 will be used by candidates to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and specialist language and terminology when responding to the question.’ 

To get into the top band (7-10 marks) you must demonstrate: 

• A wide range of knowledge, specialist language and terminology are carefully selected and used appropriately, accurately and sustained throughout (AO1). 

• Knowledge and understanding of key religious ideas and beliefs is detailed and fully developed (AO1). 

• Knowledge and understanding addresses a broad range of key religious ideas and beliefs and are fully linked to references from the extract (AO1). 

20 mark (Analyse) Questions 

These are assessing BOTH AO1 (5 marks) and AO2 (15 marks). The Specimen paper mark scheme states: 

‘AO1 will be used by candidates to underpin their analysis and evaluation. Candidates will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding using specialist language and terminology when responding to the question… AO2 requires candidates to develop their answers showing analytical and evaluative skills to address the question. Such responses will be underpinned by their use of knowledge and understanding.’ 

To get into the top band (17-20 marks) you must demonstrate: 

• A wide range of knowledge, specialist language and terminology are carefully selected and used appropriately, accurately and sustained throughout (AO1). 

• Critically deconstructs religious information/issues leading to coherent and logical chains of reasoning (AO2). 

• Makes connections between the full range of elements in the question (AO2). 

• Constructs coherent and reasoned judgements of the full range of elements in the question, which are fully supported by the comprehensive appraisal of evidence (AO2). 

Section C Questions 

30 mark (Evaluate) Questions 

These questions are assessing both AO1 (5 marks) and AO2 (25 marks). The Specimen paper mark scheme states: 

‘AO1 will be used by candidates to underpin their analysis and evaluation. Candidates will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding using specialist language and terminology when responding to the question… AO2 requires candidates to develop their answers showing analytical and evaluative skills to address the question. Such responses will be underpinned by their use of knowledge and understanding’ 

To get in the top band (25-30 marks) you must demonstrate: 

• A wide range of knowledge, specialist language and terminology are carefully selected and used appropriately, accurately and sustained throughout (AO1). 

• Critically deconstructs religious information/issues leading to coherent and logical chains of reasoning (AO2). 

• Makes connections between the full range of elements in the question (AO2). 

• Constructs coherent and reasoned judgements of the full range of elements in the question (AO2). 

• Reasoned judgements are fully supported by the comprehensive appraisal of evidence (AO2). 

• Convincing conclusions are provided which fully and logically draw together ideas and are fully justified (AO2) 

What great reading could I do for Religious Studies

Philosophy

The Thinker’s Guide To God (Peter Vardy, Julie Arliss)

The Thinker’s Guide To Evil (Peter Vardy, Julie Arliss)

The Puzzle Of God (Peter Vardy)

Think: A Compelling Intro To Philosophy (Simon Blackburn)

Ethics

The Pig That Wants To Be Eaten (Julian Baggini)

Ethics: A Very Short Introduction (Simon Blackburn)

The Puzzle Of Ethics (Peter Vardy)

Buddhism

Teach  yourself Buddhism (Mel Thompson)

Buddhism (Denise Cush)

Buddhism (Dominique Side)

30 Mark Model Essays

The essays listed on the PEQS and Model essay sections are written with A Level notes, using a standard A Level plan (below), in 40 minutes… the amount of time you will have in the final examination.

Obviously enough, these answers represent one possible approach and are only intended to give students an idea of what a reasonable answer might look like.  There are other approaches that would be equally good

PLANNING

“Fail to plan and you are planning to fail…”

Although the exams won’t allow for a lot of planning time, spending significant time planning through the course is essential because it trains your mind, helping you to absorb and understand what a good essay feels like.  I always say that in a weekly essay it is much better to spend over an hour planning and then limit writing to 40 minutes than to write for 2 hours without a plan!  An unplanned essay, however detailed, is pretty useless because the only thing you have done is to write out your notes in a different way.

What would a good essay look like then? 

Introduction: CONTENT: What is the question about – define your terms. CONTEXT: Why is this question being asked and why is it important? COMMENT: Introduce your line of reasoning then as the last sentence of the Introduction, state your…

THESIS, a clear statement of what your argument (answer) will be, using the wording of the question. TIP: don’t use “I” or the hackneyed “this essay will argue…” just state your thesis.

Paragraph 1: The strongest Reason in support of your argument.

• State your POINT, then EXPLAIN it using plenty of examples and references to scholars who Agree – EVIDENCE – then ANALYSE and EVALUATE the evidence, showing how it supports your Thesis, showing how it relates to your argument. Make sure the last sentence makes a LINK back to the Thesis.

Paragraph 2: The next strongest Reason in support of your argument.

• State your POINT, then EXPLAIN it using plenty of examples and references to scholars who Agree – EVIDENCE – then ANALYSE and EVALUATE the evidence, showing how it supports your Thesis, showing how it relates to your argument. Make sure the last sentence makes a LINK back to the Thesis.

NB: You can add as many paragraphs as you have points to make in support of your thesis – or time to write them!

COUNTERCLAIM: Who would Disagree with your argument & why do you disagree with them?  

• EXPLAIN the objection using EVIDENCE then ANALYSE and EVALUATE their position and rebut it with evidence and scholarship, concluding that you do not accept it because… LINK back to your Thesis.

NB: You can add as many counterclaims as there are that need dealing with – or as you have time to write them!

Conclusion: TEA – Repeat your Thesis and best Evidence, make a call to Action.

For more detailed advice on how to write good A Level essays, take my A Level Masterclass, a unique online-course that takes you through it step by step…