hij Teacher Resource Bank GCE Religious Studies Unit K World Religions 2 Judaism Example of Candidate s Work from the January 2009 Examination Candidate B Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 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.
2009 (January) Unit K World Religions 2 Judaism Example of Candidate s Work from the Examination Candidate B 1 5 (a) Examine ideas on the nature of God in Judaism. (30 marks) AO1 Candidate Response
2
3 Commentary AO1 (30 marks) Approximately 25 minutes can be allocated to answering this question, including thinking time. This response by the candidate gets full marks and it is clear to see why. From the outset in the introduction, the main ideas on the Jewish nature of God are set out. Covenant is then exemplified well and the concept of God being caring for the Jewish race and having no limitations is clearly seen in the third paragraph. Each major Jewish concept about God is then offered with some excellent depth and detail and heading for a level seven (thorough treatment of the topic) is the paragraph looking at Hasidic and Orthodox Jews and their beliefs. The idea of God s transcendency and the link with God s eternity and unity is fully explored at the end of the response. Commendable! Level 7 (30 marks)
4 (b) In the light of Jewish history, God cannot be both omnipotent and all-loving. Assess this view. (15 marks) AO2 Candidate Response
5 Commentary AO2 15 marks Approximately 12½ minutes, including thinking time, can be allocated to answering this question. Answers to part (b) questions are not expected to be long. The candidate introduces the idea of covenant early into the evaluative comment. The exemplification with Jews held in slavery and the Exodus is pertinent to the discussion and is well written about. To try and evaluate what non-jews might think is a bold step and works well but it needs a stronger conclusion for the higher levels. Level 5 (11 marks)
6 8 (a) Examine the role of women in Orthodox and Reform Judaism. (30 marks) AO1 Candidate Response
7 Commentary AO1 (30 marks) Approximately 25 minutes can be allocated to answering this question, including thinking time. This is a very good response and is clearly a fairly thorough treatment of the topic. Information is accurate and relevant and understanding is demonstrated by the candidate s use of some good examples and depth of detail. To cover aspects of Reform Judaism as well as Orthodox Judaism is appropriate and clearly creditworthy. Links made with the minyan and the way Orthodox Judaism gives women distinct roles to play is implicit within the candidate s approach to this question. Perhaps for the very highest level, a stronger conclusion was needed; maybe considering the more exclusive household role Jewish women might play in traditional Judaism. Level 6 (26 marks)
8 (b) Assess the view that men are more important than women in Orthodox and Reform Judaism. (15 marks) AO2 Candidate Response Commentary AO2 15 marks Approximately 12½ minutes, including thinking time, can be allocated to answering this question. Answers to part (b) questions are not expected to be long. Clearly the candidate has run out of time here but some of the response is creditworthy even though it can only be classed as superficial. To link into the idea of Jewish men holding the highest positions is appropriate and no doubt the candidate would have gone to discuss how in progressive Judaism, women play a full and equal part. Level 2 (4 marks)