Year 10 & Year 11

1. AQA
GCSE
RS
Welcome to
Religion,
Philosophy
& Ethics

2. Exam Board: AQA
Specification A

3. At West Hatch we follow
the AQA Exam Board
Syllabus A
Subject content
Students must take assessments
in the following two
components in the same series:
Component 1: The study of
religions: beliefs, teachings and
practices
Component 2: Thematic studies

4. The structure of the course
2 Written exams: 1 hour 45 minutes. Each 50% of GCSE
You will study two components
• Beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity & Islam.
• Four religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes:
• Theme B: Religion and life.
• Theme C: The existence of God and revelation.
• Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict.
• Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment.

5. Christianity: Beliefs, Teaching, Practices.
• B&T = Nature of God, Trinity, Creation, Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection,
Salvation, Life after Death,
• P = Worship, Prayer, Baptism & Holy Communion, Pilgrimage, Church in the Community
& World, Poverty, Mission, Evangelism, Persecution
Islam: Beliefs, Teachings, Practices.
• B&T = Nature of God, Sunni & Shi’a, Angels, Prophets, Life after death, Muhammed,
Holy Books, Predestination.
• P = 5 Pillars; (Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakah, Hajj), Jihad, Festivals – Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-
Adha, Ashura

6. Theme B: Religion and life:
Religion & Science – Origin of the universe and life – Big Bang theory –
Evolution, Creation, Environmental ethics, Animal rights, medical ethics,
abortion, euthanasia.
Theme C: The existence of God and revelation.
Nature of God, Philosophical arguments for God’s existence – design,
first cause, miracles. Problem of Evil – argument against God.
Revelation
Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict.
War, Holy War, Nuclear War, Peace, Pacifism, Violence, Forgiveness,
Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment.
Causes of crime, Good & Evil, Aims of Punishment, Treatment of
criminals, Capital punishment, Community service, Death penalty,

7. Component 2: How it's assessed
•Written exam: Each 1 hour 45 minutes.
•96 marks, plus 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
•50% of GCSE
Questions
Each theme has a common structure of one five-part question of 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 marks.
Each theme is marked out of 24.
Component 1: How it's assessed
•Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
•96 marks, plus 6 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
•50% of GCSE
Questions
Each religion has a common structure of two five-part questions of 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12
marks.
Each religion is marked out of 48.

8. Jihad

10. If God is ___________________ he could get rid of evil
If God is ____________________ he would get rid of evil
Yet - ________________ exists
So either
God is not ___________________
Or God is not _____________________
Or God _________________ _______________

11. Do Now!!!
Where is the ethics in this?

13. Upbringing – growing up around crime – family morals – follow
the example of elder family members – influence of family is
strong – once drawn in – it is hard to stop/escape.
Poverty – no other alternative to survive – people who live in
poverty have little option – stealing food – basic essentials –
still breaking the law – even if it seems justified.
Unemployment – cannot provide for family or themselves.
Mental Illness – Kleptomania – mental condition = stealing.
May not understand right from wrong – feel no guilt or
compassion – Psychopath – Sadistic tendencies – enjoy hurting
others – learning difficulties – lead to being easily led into
crime – Psychological issues – been abused – leading to
becoming an abuser.
Addiction – alcohol, drugs, sex, money, leads them to commit
crime – to feed habit – theft to obtain money to buy drugs.
Alcohol – lead to violence – Dutch courage. Drink/Drug
driving.
Greed – envy, jealous – want more – sense of entitlement – “I
want what they have”. Envy is one of the 7 deadly sins in the
bible.
Opposition to existing law – Protest about laws that
exist that are considered unfair/unjust – ‘Poll Tax’ –
Break the law to change the law. Rosa Parks – Civil
rights -

14. Aims of
Punishment
Retribution
‘Eye for an eye’
Taking revenge on the
offender.
Society – on behalf of the
victim – is getting its own
back.
Show that the offender has
not got away with their
crime.
May include capital
punishment for crimes such
as murder.
Deterrence
To put people off
committing crimes. Threat
of punishment may deter
others from committing
crimes.
Stop people re-offending.
Eg drink driving – fne and
ban – stops people from
drinking and driving!
Reformation
Best reason for Christians – help the offender to
change – to understand why their behaviour is
wrong – become a better more responsible citizen –
to reform. Prison – education – skills – building,
reading, maths, practical skills – help them when
released – job, employment…
Protection
To protect law abiding citizens from
criminals, dangerous people. Keep
society safe from those who would
cause harm.

15. Links to where you can purchase the book
https://www.eden.co.uk/shop/aqa-gcse-religious-
studies-specification-a-
https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/aqa-gcse-91-
religious-studies-specification-a/lesley-parry/jan-
hayes/paperback/9781471866852.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw
19z6BRAYEiwAmo64LcCBEmI916EFtMIE61oG0A1-
7r3u_7bpnqX0jx4dKyrREfAICobtZBoCXMcQAvD_BwE&gcls
rc=aw.ds
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-GCSE-Religious-
Studies-Specification/dp/1471866858

16. AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity
Authors: Cynthia Bartlett (series editor), Marianne
Fleming, Peter Smith, David Worden
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-837033-8
Publication date: April 2016 - out now
Digital version - out now
AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Islam
Authors: Cynthia Bartlett (series editor), Marianne
Fleming, Peter Smith, David Worden
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-837034-5
Publication date: June 2016 - out now
Digital version - out now

19. Builds on the topics covered in year 9
Develops skills in critical thinking, reflective writing, evaluation, analysis.
Covers both Christianity & Islam – as well as humanist/atheist views
Covers relevant in important topics and issues for 21st Century
Don’t have to have studied Religion Philosophy & Ethics in yr 9 (although if
you have you will have an excellent foundation on which to build).
It is a great choice of subject for GCSE.