Welcome to Religious Studies

What we’ll cover today. Introductions Outline of course content and questions Key Dates Example Questions and model answers

About me Paul Forster Head of Religious Studies, PSHE, Citizenship and teacher of Law and Politics. Teaching for 10 years in schools and before that Sixth Form College and University of Northumbria Father of a three year old girl called Jessica. Hobbies - Martial arts, reading, cooking running and swimming. (When I get the chance!)

What about you? Who you are? Why you are studying Religious Studies? What you would like to do when you’re older? An interesting fact about you?

COURSE INFORMATION Exam Skills Assessment resources

The Exam Paper

Christianity Beliefs and teachings Key beliefs The nature of God: God as omnipotent, loving and just, and the problem of evil and suffering the oneness of God and the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Different Christian beliefs about creation including the role of Word and Spirit (John 1:1-3 and Genesis 1:1-3). Different Christian beliefs about the afterlife and their importance, including: resurrection and life after death; judgement, heaven and hell. Jesus Christ and salvation Beliefs and teachings about: the incarnation and Jesus as the Son of God the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension sin, including original sin the means of salvation, including law, grace and Spirit the role of Christ in salvation including the idea of atonement.

Practices Worship and festivals Different forms of worship and their significance: liturgical, non-liturgical and informal, including the use of the Bible private worship. Prayer and its significance, including the Lord’s Prayer, set prayers and informal prayer. The role and meaning of the sacraments: the meaning of sacrament the sacrament of baptism and its significance for Christians; infant and believers' baptism; different beliefs about infant baptism the sacrament of Holy Communion/Eucharist and its significance for Christians, including different ways in which it is celebrated and different interpretations of its meaning. The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations including: two contrasting examples of Christian pilgrimage: Lourdes and Iona the celebrations of Christmas and Easter, including their importance for Christians in Great Britain today. The role of the church in the local and worldwide community The role of the Church in the local community, including food banks and street pastors. The place of mission, evangelism and Church growth. The importance of the worldwide Church including: working for reconciliation how Christian churches respond to persecution the work of one of the following: Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (CAFOD), Christian Aid, Tearfund.

Paper 2 Religious, philosophical and ethical studies Students should be aware of different religious perspectives on the issues studied within and / or between religious and non-religious beliefs such as atheism and humanism. Students must also study religious, philosophical and ethical arguments related to the issues raised, and their impact and influence on the modern world. Students will be expected to show their understanding of religion through the application of teachings from religion and beliefs. They will also be expected to make specific references to sources of wisdom and authority including scripture and/or sacred texts.

Key dates 14 May 2018 Exam for GCSE Religious Studies A Paper 1 (new) (both routes A and B) (8062/1A and 1B) Series: June 2018 Start time: pm Duration: 1h 45m 16 May 2018 Exam for GCSE Religious Studies A Paper 2 (new) (both routes A and B) (8062/2A and 2B) Start time: pm Duration: 1h 45m

How answer exam Question 3 CRITERIA Include two contrasting (different)beliefs. Include one religious belief and one contemporary (modern) viewpoint Include examples and or Bible or Qu’ran quotations in your answers. Use Adverbs/Adverbials to clearly identify your points e.g. Firstly, However, In contrast, Q3: Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about weapons of mass destruction. 4 marks Firstly, some Christians see nuclear weapons as a deterrent to maintain peace and prevent attack. Without them other countries might try to attack us because they believe we cant defend ourselves. However, most Muslims would therefore say that the use of WMD is wrong as WMD kill all people not just soldiers. Muhammad forbade the killing of innocent civilians. AWARDING MARKS First belief simple explanation of a relevant and accurate contrast - 1 mark detailed explanation of a relevant and accurate contrast - 2 marks Second belief 4 marks

How answer exam Question 4 CRITERIA Include two ‘religious’ beliefs. Include examples and or Bible or Qu’ran quotations in your answers. Refer to scripture or sacred writing in your answer. Use connectives to clearly identify your points e.g. Firstly, secondly, Q4: Explain two religious beliefs about homosexuality. (5 marks) Firstly some Christians believe that homosexuality is wrong because homosexuals cannot produce children. This goes against God’s command in the Bible to ‘be fruitful and multiply.’ Secondly, some Christians believe that the Bible says it is wrong. It says in Leviticus ‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is destable.’ AWARDING MARKS First belief simple explanation of a relevant and accurate belief - 1 mark detailed explanation of a relevant and accurate belief - 2 marks Second belief simple explanation of a relevant and accurate belief - 3 mark detailed explanation of a relevant and accurate belief - 4 marks Relevant and accurate reference to scripture /or sacred writing – 1 mark 5 marks

How to answer exam Question 5 Evaluate the statement: ‘WAR IS NEVER RIGHT’ In your answer you: should give at least two reasoned arguments in support of this statement (PEA) should give at least two reasoned arguments to support a different point of view (PEA) should refer to religious arguments may refer to non-religious arguments should reach a justified conclusion. LITERACY Remember to use: Define the key term(s) - In this case ‘WAR’ Adverbs/Adverbials Firstly, secondly, On the other hand; However, Others might argue, Uses the phrases: Some Christians such as X believe that… Other Christans such as X believe. Some non-religious people might say…. To summarise you could argue that… On the other hand,,,, In conclusion I think...because…. A well-argued response making several different points and considers different points of view. There is a clear conclusion. Arguments are supported by knowledge and understanding of relevant evidence. 10-12 Reasoned consideration of different points of view. Structured arguments that use relevant evidence to support your points. 7-9 A structured argument that gives at least two reasons from one point of view supported with evidence and information OR 4-6 Recognition of two different points of view, each supported by relevant reasons / evidence. Point of view with reason(s) stated in support. 1-3

Other useful links. True Tube https://www.truetube.co.uk/ Life of Muhammad Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCr7T5zVMuA&scrlybrkr=ff267494

paul.forster@mybiddenham.com