Philosophy (Sixth Form)
THE PARK SCHOOL, YEOVIL SIXTH FORM COURSE OUTLINETITLE OF COURSE: Philosophy of religion/Ethics
CURRENT SPECIFICATION USED: WJEC
Why study Philosophy at The Park?
The Philosophy/Ethics course encourages candidates to develop the ability to reason, form their own judgements, express themselves coherently and contribute to the process of debate. Due to the small size of classes at the Park each student fully participates in discussion sessions and has ample opportunity to develop these skills.
How can Philosophy, Ethics and Theology contribute to your future career?
Philosophy combines well with many other 'A' level subjects including English, Psychology, geography and History as well as the sciences, languages and the arts.
Many of the world's finest minds have been attracted to the subject and philosophers have always been valued for the clarity of their thinking and for their ability to question first principles – to think 'outside the box'. A qualification in this subject is highly regarded, demonstrating as it does awareness of the complexity of the human condition. It would benefit any educated person and is particularly useful to anyone considering a career in journalism or the media, law, the police, the armed forces, the health service, teaching or human resources.
Course of Study
AS Level:
Unit 1: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
• The Cosmological arguments for the existence of God
• The Teleogical arguments for the existence of God
• Evil and Suffering
• Religious experience/mysticism
Unit 2: An Introduction to Ethics
• Thomas Aquinas: Natural Law
• Joseph Fletcher: Situation Ethics
• Bentham & Mill: Utilitarianism
• Applied Ethics
A2 Level:
Unit 3: Studies in Religions and Ethics
• Aristotle's Virtue Theory
• Kant's Moral Theory
• The Ethics of War
• Medial and Genetic Ethics
Unit 4: Philosophy of Religion
• Is Religious Faith Rational? (Descartes, Hume, Anselm…)
• Is religious language meaningful? (Vienna Circle, Aquinas, Tillich…)
• Is religious faith compatible with scientific reason? (Hume, Big Bang, Intelligent design…)
• Are we free beings? (Augustine, Pelagius, Calvin…)
Unit 5: Studies in Religion and Human Experience
• Religious authority (nature of different types of religious authority)
OR
• Religious Experience (different types of religious experience)
OR
• Life, death and Life After Death (different beliefs about the nature and purpose of life, death and life after death)
How is this course implemented?
The development of independent thinking is encouraged through the use of debate and discussion in tutorial-style lessons.
How is this course assessed?
Examinations are held in January and June and consist of five questions, one on each theme. For both Unit 1 and Unit 2 students must choose two questions to answer. Units 3 and 4 have a similar approach whilst in Unit 5, student write an essay on a specified aspect of EITHER religious Authority OR Religious Experience OR Life, Death and Life After Death. This unit is subject to the individual decision of the course tutor.
Contact name for further information:
Mr Warr - Head of Philosophy and Religious Education
