An introduction to Eduqas GCE Religious Studies AS

An introduction to Eduqas GCE Religious Studies

AS RS: Summary of Assessment Three components in total. Each worth 33⅓% of the total award. 1) An Introduction to the Study of Religion – one religion from a choice of six options: Christianity Judaism Islam Buddhism Hinduism Sikhism 2) An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion 3) An Introduction to Religion and Ethics Each component has been designed to encourage learners to demonstrate their ability to: • reflect on, select and apply specified knowledge • understand, interpret and evaluate critically religious concepts, texts and other sources • identify, investigate and critically analyse questions, arguments, ideas and issues arising from within this component • construct well informed and reasoned arguments, substantiated by relevant evidence • engage in debate in a way that recognises the right of others to hold a different view • present responses to questions which are clear and coherent • use specialist language and terminology appropriately.

AS - overview of themes per option or component Study of Religion Philosophy of Religion and Ethics Theme 1 Religious figures and sacred texts Inductive arguments for the existence of God Ethical thought Theme 2 Religious concepts Deductive arguments for the existence of God Natural Law Theme 3 Religious life Challenges to religious belief – the problem of evil/suffering Situation Ethics Theme 4 Religious practices that shape religious identity Religious experience Utilitarianism

AS RS : Examination papers Common features of all three components: Ø Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Ø Learners will be expected to answer a total of two questions. Ø Questions can be set from any area of the specification. Section A – TWO questions from any ONE of the chosen themes e. g. THEME 1 Section B – THREE questions from anywhere in the remainder of the spec. (THEMES 2, 3 or 4 – it doesn’t have to be one from each theme) Ø Each question will be divided into two sub-questions: - Part (a) will test a learner's knowledge and understanding (50% AO 1) 25 marks per question (estimated timing 22. 5 mins each) Responses will be assessed and placed into one of 5 Bands each consisting of 5 marks - Part (b) will test a learner's skills of analysis and evaluation (50% AO 2) 25 marks per question. (estimated timing 22. 5 mins each) Responses will be assessed and placed into one of 5 Bands each consisting of 5 marks Ø For marked examples of actual student responses, see our OER https: //oer. eduqas. co. uk/Pages/Project. By. Args. aspx? sub. Id=57&lvl. Id=1

AS RS : Examination papers Common features of all three components:

AS RS : Examination papers Common features of all three components:

A Level RS: Summary of Assessment Three components in total. Each worth 33⅓% of the total award. 1) A Study of Religion – one religion from a choice of six options: Christianity Judaism Islam Buddhism Hinduism Sikhism 2) Philosophy of Religion 3) Religion and Ethics Each component had been designed to encourage learners to demonstrate their ability to: • • reflect on, select and apply specified knowledge about religion and belief understand, interpret and evaluate critically religious concepts, texts and other sources construct well informed and reasoned arguments about religion and belief, substantiated by relevant evidence present responses to questions which are clear and coherent use specialist religious language and terminology appropriately account for the influence of social, religious and historical factors on developments in the study of religions and beliefs identify, investigate and critically analyse questions, arguments, ideas and issues arising from the study of religion including those of scholars/academics /schools of thought analyse the nature of connections between the components they have studied. Each component also includes the corresponding AS material to allow for co-teachability

Specification overview A Level Study of Religion Philosophy of Religion and Ethics Theme 1 Religious figures and sacred texts Arguments for the existence of God Ethical thought Theme 2 Religious concepts and religious life Challenges to religious belief Deontological Ethics Theme 3 Significant social and historical developments in religious thought Religious experience Teleological ethics Theme 4 Religious practices that shape religious identity Religious language Determinism and Free Will Black = existing areas have been ‘topped up’ from AS Blue = No ‘top-up’ from content taught at AS Orange = completely new area for A level

A Level RS : Examination papers Common features of all three A LEVEL components: Ø Duration: 2 hours Ø Learners will be expected to answer a total of two questions. Ø Questions can be set from any area of the specification. Section A – TWO questions from any ONE of the chosen themes e. g. THEME 1 ANSWER ONE QUESTION (A+B) Section B – THREE questions from anywhere in the remainder of the spec. (THEMES 2, 3 or 4 – it doesn’t have to be one from each theme) ANSWER ONE QUESTION (A+B) Ø Each question will be divided into two sub-questions: - - Part (a) will test a learner's knowledge and understanding (40% AO 1) 20 marks per question. (estimated timing 24 mins each) Responses will be assessed and placed into one of 5 Bands each consisting of 4 marks Part (b) will test a learner's skills of analysis and evaluation (60% AO 2) 30 marks per question. (estimated timing 36 mins each) Responses will be assessed and placed into one of 5 Bands each consisting of 6 marks Ø For marked examples of actual student responses, see our OER https: //oer. eduqas. co. uk/Pages/Project. By. Args. aspx? sub. Id=57&lvl. Id=1

A Level RS : Examination papers Common features of all three A LEVEL components:

A Level RS : Examination papers Common features of all three A LEVEL components:

A Level RS : Examination papers Common features of all three A LEVEL components:

Command words for GCE (AO 1) - knowledge and understanding of religion and belief Command word Meaning Apply Show a principle, theory or teaching might be used in relation to an issue or situation, e. g. how an ethical theory might be employed to solve an ethical problem. Explain the similarities and differences between things or scholarly views e. g. ideas, key findings. Write a systematic and comprehensive account of a topic, exploring underlying reasons, focusing upon the aspect highlighted in the question (such as definition, nature, purpose, features), e. g. Explain how. . . Explain why. . . Explain the importance/significance of… Explain is focused on reasons in relation to a straightforward topic. Portray and account for different facets of, or angles on, a complex practice, concept or belief, e. g. Examine the characteristics of. . . Examine different ways in which. . . Examine is focused on the varied aspects of a many-sided topic. Write a concise account of an area of considerable breadth carefully selecting relevant information and demonstrating the main features or general principles of a topic. Compare Explain Examine Outline (AS Only)

Command words for GCE (AO 2) – analysis and evaluation, with regards to aspects of and approaches to religion and belief. Command words Evaluate this view or Evaluate the view that… Meaning Using evaluative skills to make a reasoned judgement (including an appropriate conclusion), whilst having critically considered a variety of arguments/ideas. Candidates would be expected to respond to a carefully chosen statement, such as: ‘Situation Ethics encourages unethical behaviour. ’ Evaluate this view.

A Level RS : OER Responses Now let’s have a look at some sample responses on the On-Line Exam Review (OER) site

Links to some of our key resources Specifications: A level: https: //www. eduqas. co. uk/media/i 4 tjifbc/eduqas-a-level-religiousstudies-spec-from-2016 -e-200219 -pdf. pdf AS Level: https: //www. eduqas. co. uk/media/lmzb 2 qsb/eduqas-as-religiousstudies-spec-from-2016 -e-pdf. pdf Past Papers & Mark Schemes: https: //www. eduqas. co. uk/qualifications/religious-studies-as-alevel/#tab_pastpapers Free digital resources: https: //resources. eduqas. co. uk/Pages/Resource. By. Args. aspx? sub. Id=26&lvl. Id =1 On-line Exam Review: https: //oer. eduqas. co. uk/Pages/Project. By. Args. aspx? sub. Id=57&lvl. Id=1

Links to some of our key resources Guidance for Teaching: A level: https: //www. eduqas. co. uk/media/kxzn 0 n 1 f/eduqas-a-level-religious -studies-gft-from-2016 -e. pdf AS Level: https: //www. eduqas. co. uk/media/3 vahl 4 di/as-rs-gft. pdf CPD Materials: https: //www. eduqas. co. uk/qualifications/religious-studies-as -a-level/? sub_nav_level=training-materials#tab_training Teacher Share Space: https: //www. eduqas. co. uk/media/dw 0 k 5 vzo/file-sharing-for-as-a-level-rse. pdf Endorsed text books: https: //www. eduqas. co. uk/qualifications/religious-studies-as-alevel/? sub_nav_level=books#tab_resources The GCE RS team: GCEReligious. Studies@eduqas. co. uk

Davidr. jones@wjec. co. uk Anthony. Fleming@wjec. co. uk GCEReligious. Studies@eduqas. co. uk