hij Teacher Resource Bank GCE Religious Studies s to Content The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723) and a registered charity (registered charity number 1073334). Registered address: AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX. Dr Michael Cresswell, Director General.
CHANGES TO CONTENT AS Level Religious Studies Continuity and a Summary Module 1: Human Experience Module 2: Old Testament All Units All Units All Units Unit F: Old Testament Content grouped into four topics No compulsory, stimulusbased question Issues for AO2 questions (in addition to those arising directly from topics studied) clearly identified Entirely deleted. Religious experience element moved to new Unit C Philosophy of Religion. Sacred Writings now covered in the World Religions options Reason for Clearer guidance to centres about the balance of topics for study and balance of questions in examinations Allows for some expansion of specification content; freer choice for teachers and candidates; better balance of exam questions, including two AO2 questions Better preparation of candidates to raise levels of performance Reduction from six units to four God and Covenant Development of Prophecy Eighth Century Prophecy Introduction to the world of the OT Old Testament views of God s relationship with the people The phenomenon of prophecy 8th century prophecy Amos introductory section added Ideas on the nature of God moved to A2 Unit 3F Jeremiah deleted. Expanded description: no substantial change Expanded description: no substantial change Better access to key themes, especially for candidates who have no previous OT knowledge More suited to A level study. Confuses candidates klm 1
Module 3: Testament General content included in the preamble: person and work of Jesus; Kingdom of God; nature and purpose of texts; critical approaches, etc Birth narratives and Prologue Passion & resurrection narratives Parables and miracles Module 4: Religion & Ethics Medical and environment issues Medical issues Unit G: Testament How the synoptic gospels came into being Separate sections on the arrest, trial and death of Jesus and the resurrection Parables and healings Units A & B: Religion & Ethics 1 and 2 Split between Units A and B Unit A: Abortion and euthanasia. The specific focus required for each topic is now stated directly in relation to that topic introductory section added Sections expanded. Slight increase in the Matthaean & Lukan texts and inclusion of Markan accounts More detail about the themes of the study. Deletion of the Great Feast, the Calming of the Storm and Luke s version of the Sower Major restructuring to divide and expand material into two units Only one studied instead of both. Not linked now to specific ethical perspectives or a specific religious perspective, but religious teachings are required and ethical perspectives may be applied where appropriate Aspects of abortion and euthanasia specified in more detail. Embryo, foetus, transplantation, allocation of resources deleted. Reason for and focus Better grasp of the nature of the sources, especially for candidates who have no previous NT knowledge Reduction of overload Clearer demands. More depth and focus. Inclusion of Mark allows better illustration of source and redaction criticism Sharper focus on the role, purpose, theology, teaching of the selected passages To make possible a 100% ethics route in this popular area; to bring ethics more in line with other options in its structure and demands Allows for a more natural issuebased approach, drawing on religion and ethics as appropriate Reduction of breadth to give more depth to topics studied 2 klm
Environmental issues A Religious Perspective on Ethics Unit B: Environment, both local and worldwide Unit A: Religious teaching on the nature and value of human life; Unit B: Religious views of the created world Utilitarianism Unit A: Utilitarianism Kant s Ethical Theory Module 5: Aspects of a Major World Faith Module 5: Buddhism Emergence of Buddhism Comparison of Mahayana & Theravada Three refuges Unit B: Kant and ethics Unit A: section on Situation Ethics Unit B: section on Natural Law Units J and K: World Religions 1 and 2 Unit J: Buddhism Buddhism: the Sangha Content expanded in substance and description Detailed description of the knowledge and understanding expected and the issues to be debated. Religious reference explicit in all sections Similar content, set out in more detail, with requirement for application to a chosen issue other than abortion or euthanasia Contrast with deontological thinking added Similar content, set out in more detail, with requirement for application to a chosen issue other than an environmental one Contrast with teleological approaches added The six religions are now divided into two groups Moved from AS to A2 Unit 3G: Buddhism Buddha and Dharma as refuges deleted; Sangha retained To balance the level of demand with the abortion and euthanasia section in Unit A To secure more thorough grasp of religious views on ethical matters Freedom of choice for teachers and candidates of examples of application; avoidance of overlap with abortion / euthanasia section Added to compensate for the absence of Kant Freedom of choice for teachers and candidates of examples of application; avoidance of overlap with environment section Added to compensate for the absence of Utilitarianism Provides an alternative approach for comparison with Utilitarianism (though questions will not be set that require this) Provides an alternative approach for comparison with Kant (though questions will not be set that require this) More choice for teachers and candidates, allowing study of many combinations of two religions More focus on Buddhist ideas More appropriate for advanced study of focus klm 3
Kamma and rebirth Four Holy Truths Practices Meditation Practices lay and monastic communities Module 5: Indus Valley civilisation Modern reform movements Hindu concept of God Atman and Brahman Puja, temple worship Holy men Module 5: Islam Muhammad s life and teaching; jahilliyah Origins of Sunni and Shi i Meaning of Muslim and Islam ; beliefs about God; shirk Beliefs about angels, prophets, judgment Section on Samsara and the three marks of existence Four Noble Truths The Eightfold Path The Eightfold Path Expanded Expanded section Nature of meditation only at AS; study of different types deferred to Unit 3G: Buddhism (A2) Reason for Emphasis on fundamental concepts of Buddhism Emphasis on fundamental concepts of Buddhism Essential core material Emphasis on fundamental concepts of Buddhism The Sangha Detail expanded of demand Unit J: Hindu concept of God Means to liberation in Worship in Hindu way of life Unit K: Islam 1 and Unit L: Islam 2 Islam 1: key beliefs Islam 2: Section 4 Islam 1: Doctrine of God Islam 1: Key beliefs Moved from AS to Unit 3G: (A2): Foundations of Moved from AS to Unit 3G: (A2): and society in the modern world Substantially the same; detail expanded; personal deities and goddesses named Expanded detail; various paths of yoga added (moved from current A2) Detail expanded; nature of temples and festivals added Stages of life added; detail expanded Islam extended to two units Importance of Muhammad as seal of the prophets included in key beliefs in Islam 1. Islam 2 wholly focused on Muhammad Only in Islam 2. Expanded Substantially unchanged; detail expanded Spelled out in more detail More appropriate for advanced study More appropriate for advanced study ; accessibility ; overall balance of belief and practice and balance Coherence; clarity Permits a 100% Islam route for those who desire it Allows for a depth study Allows for a depth study 4 klm
Prayer and fasting Use of the Qur an Module 5: Judaism God and the chosen people; covenant Origins of reform movements Key features of Orthodox, Reform and Hasidic movements Nature of God Covenant as underlying practice Jewish home; kashrut Festival and Shabbat observances; High Holy Days Module 5: Sikhism Foundations; Gurus; the Khalsa Concepts of God; Mul Mantra; meanings of Guru Islam 1: Five Pillars Islam 1: The Qur an Unit L: Islam 2: Jahilliyah; Makkah; Madinah; emergence of Caliphate Unit K: Judaism God and his people Styles of Judaism God and his people Styles of Judaism: religious observances in daily life Aspects of worship and festivals Scripture Unit J: Sikhism The Gurus Expanded; other pillars included Substantially extended to include aspects currently in Module 1 Extended, in-depth study Detail expanded Detail expanded on Orthodox and Reform. Hasidism moved from AS to A2 and studied in depth in Unit 3H: Judaism (A2): Hasidic traditions Expanded; challenges to traditional ideas added Included with reduced emphasis Expanded to include a wider range of worship activities. Pesach added section on Tanak and Talmud Substantially the same Moved from AS to Unit 3G: Sikhism (A2): Key concepts and beliefs Reason for Comprehensiveness and balance Comprehensiveness and balance Alternative to, or complimentary to, broad study of Islam in Unit K of focus Balance Comprehensiveness Implicit elsewhere Balance Comprehensiveness and balance Compensation for loss from Module 1 More appropriate for advanced study klm 5
Sewa Section 4: Diwan and langar Worship in Diwan and home and langar gurdwara; langar Festivals Module 6: Science Guru Granth Sahib and Gurdwara Unit D: Religion, Philosophy and Science Detail expanded Spelled out more fully section on Vaisakhi, Diwali, Gurpurbs section on Guru Granth Sahib, gurdwara and Golden Temple Creation Creation Same content, excluding Steady State (including Continuous Creation), with addition of creationism, intelligent design, evolutionary theory, challenges to religious belief Miracles Miracles Same content with detail substantially expanded Design The design Substantially the same, but Arguments argument with more precise focus Quantum section on quantum mechanics mechanics and implications Unit C: Philosophy of Religion Unit E: History of Christianity OR Religion, Art and the Media Unit H: Contemporary Society for religion option, including Cosmological argument from current A2 Module 11 along with entirely new topics Entirely new Entirely new Reason for and depth Comprehensiveness and balance Comprehensiveness and balance Clearer definition of content Clearer definition of content Clearer definition of content Comprehensiveness and balance 6 klm
A2 Level Religious Studies Continuity and a Summary Modules 7-11 Modules 7-12 Module 7: Old Testament God and the World Wisdom and Law Reflections in Times of Crisis Module 8: Testament Preamble references to broad context of John s Gospel, structure, origins, relationship to other gospels Signs Discourses Passion and Resurrection Narrative All Unit 3 options All Unit 3 and Unit 4 options Unit 3D: Old Testament Ways of reading the Old Testament God and humanity Ways in which people believed they should live their lives How people coped in times of crisis Unit 3E: Testament The context of John s Gospel Nature, role and purpose of signs Nature, role and purpose of discourses Nature, role and purpose of the passion and resurrection narratives Content grouped into four topics Issues for AO2 questions (in addition to those arising directly from topics studied) clearly identified Synoptic assessment in all units Same biblical passages apart from deletion of Job and Daniel, and addition of Isaiah 49 1-6, but linked with specific topics more obviously introductory section, including critical theories and their application Same content; set out in more detail Same content; set out in more detail Apocalyptic deleted. Otherwise substantially same content, set out in more detail. Same substance; specific issues identified Substantially the same; set out in more detail Eschatology and Paraclete deleted; otherwise substantially the same; set out in more detail Substantially the same; set out in more detail Reason for Clearer guidance to centres about the balance of topics for study and balance of questions in examinations Better preparation of candidates to raise levels of performance QCA requirement Accessibility for candidates Balance of topics; clarity klm 7
Module 9: Studies in Ethics Free will and determinism Issues: science and technology Issues: business ethics etc Religious Perspectives Unit 3A: Ethics Libertarianism, free will and determinism Science and technology Substantially the same; set out in more detail Widened to cover non-medical aspects of science and technology. Specific link to Virtue Ethics removed. Cloning, genetic engineering removed Moved to Unit 4CII: Ways of Moral Decision-Making Religious reference explicit in all sections Religious views Entirely new topic on sexual behaviour and human relationships Virtue Ethics Virtue Ethics Substantially the same; set out in more detail; addition of Foot; application to an issue of candidate s choice instead of the Aspects of a Major World Faith Buddhism Five moral precepts The Eightfold Path Dukkha, anicca, anatta Samsara, nibbana, paticcasamuppada Units 3G and 3H: World Religions 1 and 2 Unit 3G: Buddhism Buddhist ethics Meditation Buddhist Ethics Aspects of Buddhist philosophy ones currently specified The six religions are now divided into two groups Set in a wider context, including purposes of ethical living and the six perfections Eightfold Path as a whole AS moved to Module 5: Buddhism (AS). Meditation and Ethics developed in depth Moved to Unit J: Buddhism (AS) Set out in more detail Reason for Broader approach; clarity; avoidance of overlap Balance; more appropriate for specialised study To secure more thorough grasp of religious views on ethical matters Candidate appeal and choice Administrative convenience Core material needed in both AS and A2 Core material needed at AS 8 klm
Mahayana Buddhism Buddhism in the west Christianity Vocation and service Themes in Mahayana Buddhism and Aspects of Buddhist philosophy Unit 3H: Christianity Vocation and service Set out in more detail. aspects: comparison of Mahayana & Theravada; bodhicitta; skill; Pure Land; Tibetan Wheel of Life; Prajnaparamita, etc. Biblical origins made explicit. Otherwise substantially the same but expressed differently Reason for Overall balance Christology Christology Expanded of demand Feminist theology Moved to new Unit 3C: History of Christianity More appropriate context Christian mission; prophetic witness for peace and justice Christian action Expanded with wider application and new focus and depth Christian spirituality Unit 3G: Foundations of section section covering Indus Valley Civilisation (moved from AS Module 5: ), Vedic religion and Vedas (previously covered in Module 1) Substantially unchanged; set out in more detail as a Hindu dharma Way of Life Human destiny Hindu philosophy Substantially unchanged; set out in more detail Liberation Moved to Unit J: (AS) through various yogas Advaita philosophy Hindu community in Britain ISKCON Comprehensiveness and balance More appropriate for A level Balance Hindu philosophy Expanded and society in the modern world section covering modern reform movements, Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission, Gandhi (moved from AS Module 5: ) and ISKCON Wider focus Wider focus; more appropriate for A level klm 9
Islam Shari a Unit 3H: Islam Shari a and Muslim way of life Women and family life God and humanity Expanded description Reason for Family life; women Expanded, including marriage and divorce regulations God, Substantially unchanged; set out in predestination, slightly more detail freedom, justice God as God and Substantially unchanged; set out in immanent and humanity slightly more detail transcendent Jihad Not relevant to themes Shi ism Shi a Islam Substantially unchanged Islam in Britain Overall level of demand Judaism Judaism as a way of life Holocaust Zionism Judaism in Contemporary Society Sikhism Sikhism as a Way of Life Aspects of Religious Thought concepts Rahit Maryada; Just War; miri and piri Gender, caste, tolerance Sikhs in Britain Unit 3H: Judaism Bar/bat mitzvah, marriage and divorce Holocaust issues and theology Origins and development of Zionism The Hasidic traditions Unit 3G: Sikhism Sikh identity, marriage and family life Key concepts and beliefs Sikh ethics and conduct Equality and sewa Equality and sewa Birth / circumcision rites deleted. Otherwise similar content with addition of Orthodox and Reform perspectives Expanded in detail Expanded in detail section, expanding topic transferred from AS Module 5: Judaism Substantially unchanged Substantially unchanged but with addition of term guru, concept of God and Mul Mantra (transferred from AS Unit J: Sikhism) Spelled out more fully Expansion to include practical application of the teachings Different, wider focus The underlying issues are addressed in other ways through the other topics More appropriate to A level study More appropriate context and increase of demand Parity with other units 10 klm
Reason for Module 11: Philosophy of Religion Unit 3B: Philosophy of Religion Cosmological Moved to AS Unit C: Philosophy of Overall balance arguments Religion Ontological Ontological Similar content, set out in more arguments argument detail Problem of Evil Problem of evil Similar content, set out in more detail Mysticism Moved to Unit 4AII Balance Near-death Body, soul and One element in a new, expanded Wider context experiences personal identity topic Religious Entirely new section Overall balance language Unit 3C: History Entirely new (except inclusion of Choice of Christianity OR Art Feminist theology from Module 11) Unit 3F: Religion and Contemporary Entirely new Choice Module 12: Human Experience (Synoptic module) Religious Experience Religious Authority Life, Death and Beyond Society Unit 4: Religion and Human Experience Unit 4A Topic I: Perceptions of Ultimate Reality Unit 4C Topic I: Religious Authority Unit 4A Topic I: Life, Death and Beyond Unit 4A Topic II: Perceptions of Ultimate Reality Unit 4B: Religious Fundamentalism, Contemporary Society, Religion and the Visual Arts Expanded from three topics to eight, in three sections. Content defined in greater detail. Examples of links with other units deleted, reflecting change of definition of synopticity Some overlap as part of a wider unit. [N.B. This is under review. It is possible that Religious Experience may reappear as a topic in its right.] Expanded and set out in more detail Expanded and set out in more detail Entirely new (except for element of religious experience) Three entirely new options Choice, and clarity of demand Economy of demand of demand Choice Choice klm 11
Unit 4C Topic II: Ways of Moral Decision-Making Unit 4C Topic III: Ways of Reading and Understanding Scripture option. Includes a choice of either medical ethics or business ethics transferred, with changes, from Module 9 Entirely new. Picks up at advanced level some aspects of scripture lost by the removal of AS Module 1 Reason for Choice Choice 12 klm