Sixth Form - Theology

Theology and Religious Studies (OCR AS and A2 Level)

The course offers a variety of opportunities with excellent prospects. Postgraduates have worked in journalism, media, teaching, healthcare, ICT: church ministry, chaplaincy and local government.

Course details
Students will explore a wide range of Theological and Philosophical issues during this course.
Course content
The course AS/A2 consists of 2 exams of 1.5 hour in the study of Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics. A Module in January for both AS and A2 and the other Module in June.

Module 1 AS – Philosophy
Module 2 AS – Ethics
Module 3 A2 – Philosophy
Module 4 A2 – Ethics

1. Philosophy of Religion
Students will explore theological questions in the light of the challenge posed by philosophy in the following areas:
The Philosophical arguments for the existence of God
- The design, cosmological and ontological arguments
- Religious and scientific interpretations of the origins of the universe
- Ancient Greek Philosophers and their influence on Judaeo-Christian beliefs
A study of the problem of evil and suffering
- Types of evil
- The problem of evil and suffering in relation to beliefs about the nature of God
- Theodicies
A study of philosophical debates on miracles
- Plato and Aristotle
- Body and Soul
- Life after Death
2. Ethics
Students will investigate moral choices and look at the values that lie behind them, the reasons people give for them, and the languages they use to describe them. Students will have to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical topics.

A study of the relationship between religion and morality
- Reasons for and against the view that morality derives from religion
- Meta ethics
- Virtue ethics
A study of ethical theories:
- Utilitarianism
- Natural Ethics
A study of applied ethics:
- Conscience and freedom
- Sexual ethics
- War and Peace

Entry requirements: 5 GCSE grades at A*-C, including GCSE English and RE