GCSE Short Course (Year 12)

This course follows OCR specification B (Philosophy and Ethics). This is examined by a single examination.

In the first part of the course, students study the relationship between science and religion, considering scientific and religious ideas about the origin of the world and humanity, evolution and environmental issues. The traditional cosmological and teleological arguments for God's existence are also examined. This leads on to a discussion of the nature of God as both immanent and transcendent, personal and impersonal, combined with a study of the ways in which God makes himself known to humans through revelation.

Following this, students proceed to a discussion of good and evil, particularly the problems posed by the latter for Christians who believe in a good and loving God. A discussion of Christian moral teaching, including Church teaching, and an examination of various ethical theories then allows students to consider how their beliefs should affect their conduct. The final part of the course deals with the nature of belief, and includes a consideration of various forms of private and public prayer, along with a discussion of asceticism and examples of religious architecture and symbols seen as expressions of faith.