Purpose and Aim

GCSE Religious Studies: Philosophy & Applied Ethics

Course Handbook 2015 to 2016

NAME: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

OCR GCSE Religious Studies B

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-religious-studies-b-philosophy-and-applied-ethics-j621-j121-from-2012/

OCR GCSE Religious Studies B (J621)

You are studying Philosophy and Applied Ethics as part of Full Course GCSE Religious Studies.
The course is made up of four units, split into 6 topics from Philosophy and 6 topics from Applied Ethics. The weightings are:

GCSE: / Unit Code / Unit Title / (% of GCSE)
B601 / Beliefs about God, Religious and Spiritual Experience and The End of Life. / (25%)
B602 / Good and Evil, Reason and Revelation and Religion and Science. / (25%)
B603 / Human Relationships, Medical Ethics, Poverty and Wealth. / (25%)
B604 / Peace and Justice, Equality, The Media / (25%)

Grading:

E / D / C / B / A / A*
UMS
(Max mark 200) / 80 / 100 / 120 / 140 / 160 / 180
UMS
(per paper) / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45
UMS
(per section) / 10 / 13 / 15 / 18 / 20 / 23

Each exam is reported by OCR by its UMS – which is the percentage (%) you achieved on that paper. You will sit four exams, each will score UMS which is then totalled and converted to a grade.

Exams and Assessment:

4 Exams in Summer 2015

Unit B601: Philosophy – Thursday, 11th June 2015 AM (Provisional)

You will answer 2 complete sets of questions from different sections parts a – e, from a choice of 3. On parts d and e of all questions, you will be assessed on spelling, punctuation and grammar – there are 3 additional marks available for this. 1 hour written paper; 51 marks. You must answer questions about Christianity.

Unit B602: Philosophy – Thursday, 11th June 2015 AM (Provisional)

Unit B603: Applied Ethics – Monday, 11th May 2015 AM (Provisional)

Unit B604: Applied Ethics – Monday, 11th May 2015 (Provisional)

Expectations for GCSE Study

At GCSE in Philosophy and in Ethics all your teachers have the following expectations:

You will arrive to every lesson with your textbook, exercise book and this handbook.
All classwork must have a date and title which must be underlined.
You will complete all homework set on time and with adequate levels of effort. If you are unable to meet a deadline you must contact the appropriate teacher at least 24 hours before, and a new deadline will be agreed.
All part e essay style questions set for homework will be handed in with an essay plan using the format used in class.
If you miss any lessons, for whatever reason, it is your responsibility to catch up by reading the textbook, getting copies of class-notes and hand-outs from classmates, before the next lesson.
You will keep the checklists up-to-date and will make full use of any interventions and help clinics provided.
You will act upon the advice given, and ensure that you seek help when needed.

Grade Descriptions and Assessment Objectives

Percentage Weighting of Assessment Objectives:

Assessment Objective 1 (AO1): Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and analysis. Describe, explain and analyse using knowledge and understanding.

Assessment Objective 2 (AO2): Evidence, evaluation and argument. Use evidence and reasoned argument to express and evaluate personal responses, informed insights, and differing viewpoints.

AO1 / AO2
Unit B601: Philosophy 1 / 12.5% / 12.5%
Unit B602: Philosophy 2 / 12.5% / 12.5%
Unit B603: Ethics 1 / 12.5% / 12.5%
Unit B604: Ethics 2 / 12.5% / 12.5%

GRADE A

Candidates demonstrate detailed knowledge and thorough understanding of religion to describe explain and analyse the significance and impact of beliefs, teachings, sources, practices, ways of life and forms of expressing meaning. They interpret, draw out and explain the meaning and importance of the beliefs and practices of the religion(s) and/or beliefs studied, and assess the impact of these on the lives of believers. They explain, where appropriate, how differences in belief lead to differences of religious response. They understand and use accurately and appropriately a range of specialist vocabulary. They use reasoned argument supported by a range of evidence to respond to religious beliefs, moral issues and ultimate questions, recognising the complexity of issues. They demonstrate informed insight in evaluating different points of view to reach evidenced judgements about these beliefs, issues and questions.

GRADE C

Candidates demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of religion to describe and explain the significance and impact of beliefs, teachings, sources, practices, ways of life and forms of expressing meaning. They show awareness of the meaning and importance of the beliefs and practices of the religion(s) and/or beliefs studied, and can describe the impact of these on the lives of believers. They recognise how differences in belief lead to differences of religious response. They communicate their ideas using specialist vocabulary appropriately. They use argument supported by relevant evidence to express and evaluate different responses to issues studied. They refer to different points of view in making judgements about these issues.

GRADE F

Candidates demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of religion to describe, with some reasons, the significance and impact of beliefs, teachings, sources, practices, ways of life and forms of expressing meaning. They show some awareness of the meaning and importance of the religion(s) and/or beliefs studied, sometimes recognising and making simple connections between religion and people’s lives. They communicate their ideas using everyday language. They present reasons in support of an opinion about the issues studied, and show some understanding of the complexity of the issues by describing different points of view.

Contents

Topic 1 – Philosophy 1 – Beliefs about deity p. 6 – 11

Topic 2 – Philosophy 1 – Spiritual and Religious Experience – p. 12 – 17

Topic 3 – Philosophy 1 – The End of Life – p. 18 – 23

Topic 4 – Philosophy 2 – Good and Evil – p. 24 – 29

Topic 5 – Philosophy 2 – Reason and Revelation - p. 30 – 35

Topic 6 – Philosophy 2 – Science and Religion – p. 36 – 41

Topic 7 – Ethics 1 – Human Relationships – p. 42 – 46

Topic 8 – Ethics 1 – Medical Ethics – p.47 – 54

Topic 9 – Ethics 1 – Poverty and Wealth – p. 55 – 60

Topic 10 – Ethics 2 – Peace and Justice – p. 61 – 66

Topic 11 – Ethics 2 – Equality – p. 67 – 72

Topic 12 – Ethics 2 – The Media – p. 73 – 77

Revision Tips & Advice – P. 78 - 79

OCR GCSE Religious Studies B

Topic 1 – Philosophy 1 – Beliefs about Deity

Key Words:

(Students to complete the key word bank, by filling the definitions).

Apostles’ Creed
Cosmological argument
Father
Forgiveness
Heaven
Holy Spirit
Incarnate
Monotheism
Resurrection
Son
Teleological argument
Trinity
Ontological argument
Omnipotent
Omniscient
Omnibenevolent

Notes:

What do Christians believe about God

· Christians are monotheists – meaning they believe in one God.

· God is unique – God is Holy (God is set apart – there is nothing else like God).

· God is the creator – everything else is creation.

· Everyday language is unable to fully describe God – God is a mystery.

· God is eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, omnibenevolent, - Both Transcendent and Immanent.

· He cares for us and wants us to behave morally well.

· God will judge us at the end of our life.

The Trinity

· The Trinity – God the Father – loving like a Father – key roles = Creation and Judgement .

· (Feminists may prefer ‘God the Mother’).

· God the Son – Key role = The Saviour – Taught us the right way to live and died to save us from sin death – brought new life through the resurrection.

· Holy Spirit – Spirit of Love and Life. Appears in the world after the ascension (at Pentecost) and works in the world today. Brings gifts and fruits e.g. courage and wisdom.

· Christians state their belief in the Trinity in the Apostles Creed during church services.

Reasons Christians believe in God

· Cosmological argument - The universe could not have simply started itself- It must have been caused by something - God is the only being capable of being the first cause.

· Teleological argument – the world looks like it has been beautifully designed – The only thing capable of such a design is God.

· Ontological argument – God is greater than anything else people can think of.

· People have personal experiences of God – which convince them that God is real.

· People have a natural sense of what is right and wrong (conscience) – some say that this is God’s voice within us.

· People are brought up to believe in God .

· The teaching and authority of the Bible may convince people of God’s existence.

· Some people say that Jesus life and work is evidence of God’s existence.

Miracles in the Bible

· A revelation of God’s power and will for the world – because God is omnipotent he is capable of interrupting the natural course of things e.g. healing a person who is dying of cancer.

· Jesus performed many miracles in the new testament – they show the presence of and love of God at work in the world through the actions of Jesus.

· Miracles are described as ‘signs’ (of Jesus diving nature and of God’s omnipotence) or as ‘mighty works’.

· Jesus has power over nature e.g. he walks on water and feeds 5000.

· Jesus has power over evil e.g. he casts out evil spirits.

· He brings love and healing e.g. he heals a blind man.

· He brings new life after death e.g. he raises Lazarus from the dead.

· The Resurrection of Jesus is the greatest miracle which brings to hope.

· to the world. Death and sin are defeated – love and life are victorious.

Miracles Today

· Modern Miracles – are said to occur when people pray to God and show faith in his power

· Many people go on pilgrimage to Lourdes in France where the Virgin Mary appeared to St Bernadette. A miraculous stream appeared in the cave where they met which has healing powers. Pilgrims go there to seek healing and to get closer to God.

· A vision of The Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John appeared on the wall of a church in Knock in Ireland. This has also become a place of pilgrimage.

Check Your Subject Knowledge:

(Students to complete the checklist below by ticking the appropriate boxes).

Got it / Nearly there / Not there yet
Key Words
What do Christians believe about God
The Trinity
Reasons Christians believe in God
Miracles in the Bible: Old Testament, New Testament and the Miracles of Jesus
Miracles Today

Self-Assessment:

What mark would you allocate this work? /24 = %
What difficulties did you have completing it?
Do you think you met your target?
How did you change your approach to ensure you achieved them?

Peer-Assessment:

What Went Well:

Even Better If:

Teacher Assessment:

AO1 – Knowledge and understanding
A02 – Analysis, evaluation and application
Overall Comment:
Mark: ______Grade: ______Percentage:______
To attain a higher mark you should:

Targets for next assessed task:

Topic 2 – Philosophy 1 – Religious and Spiritual Experience

Key Words:

(Students to complete the key word bank, by filling the definitions).

Cross
Crucifix
Denomination
Eucharist
Fasting
Icons
Lord’s Prayer
Meditation
Prayer
Ritual
Sermon
Symbol
Worship
Alpha & Omega
Chi-Rho
Icthus

Notes:

Concept of Worship

· Worship is understood by Christians as an act of respect or devotion to God.

· It is a way of paying special attention to God and showing he is important.

· Different denominations within Christianity emphasise different forms of worship.

· There are two main forms of worship: public and private.

Public Worship

· Usually takes place in a special building where Christians can gather together. They are designed to create an atmosphere where people can experience God’s presence.

· Orthodox Christians (usually Greek or Russian) Have highly ornate churches whose walls are covered ceiling to floor in icons of holy people. The icons are believed to be Holy and are treated with great respect. The alter is separated from the worshippers by a large screen.