Specification/Exam Board

AQA GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES, ROUTE A

COMPONENT 1 - At GCSE in Religious Studies we must study Christianity as it is the main faith in Great Britain. We then have the choice about which religion to study as our second faith. We chose Islam as it is the fastest growing faith in the world. The key teachings also contrast nicely and compliment the Christian understanding of God. This side of the GCSE while being in the main part a Theological approach also has elements of the Philosophy of Religion.

COMPONENT 2 - We have to study 4 out of 6 modules for the THEMES. We have chosen A, B, D and E. These modules flow well together in terms of the teachings used. This side of the GCSE provides an ethical approach to R.S.

It is important to note that we do not teach all modules in a linear fashion. The curriculum intent in R.S. is to develop and layer the knowledge using an interweaved approach. So for Component 1 we break down the modules by concept and theme.

Curriculum Allocation

GCSE Religious Studies is taught for 2 x 100 minute lessons per fortnight.

Curriculum Period 1:

Curriculum content

COMPONENT 1 - Islam Beliefs and Teachings

• Nature of Allah
• Prophethood - Adam and Ibrahim
• The Prophet Muhammad
• Sunni and Shia Split - who should be the next leader? Ali or Abu Bakr?
• What do different Muslims believe? The 6 articles of faith and the 5 usul ad din.
• Role of and importance of Angels

Assessment

50 % Year 9 module - THEME A - Relationships and Family

50% Islam Beliefs and Teachings

Curriculum Period 2:

Curriculum content

Component 2 - THEME D, Religion, Peace and Conflict (Christian perspective only)

• Can a war be Just? (The Just War Theory)
• Holy War
• Terrorism
• Pacifism
• Attitudes to Violence and Violent Protest
• Weapons of Mass Destruction - are they ethical?
• Responses to Victims of War
• Forgiveness and Reconciliation - examples from Corrie Ten Boom and Eric Lomax

NEW MODULE - Component 1 Christianity Beliefs and Teachings (we started this module in Year 9 focusing solely on the Nature of God, Trinity, Genesis, John's Gospel, The Fall, The problem of Evil and Suffering

• Who is Jesus? The incarnation (focus on the conception narrative)
• The Birth of Jesus - focus on the Nativity
• The Death of Jesus, Crucifixion.
• The Resurrection 

Assessment

50 % Christian Beliefs and Teachings.

50% THEME D

Curriculum Period 3:

Curriculum content

• Salvation and Grace  (Christianity)
• The Parable of the Sheep and Goats - Salvation through works.
• Christian understanding of Heaven and Hell

NEW MODULE - ISLAM BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS

• Holy books in Islam
• The importance of the Qur'an
• Death and the Afterlife
• Heaven and Hell

NEW MODULE - THEME B - Religion and Life

• How did the universe begin?
• The Genesis story vs The Big Bang Theory (religion vs science)
• How should we treat the planet?
• The value of animal life. Focus on the ethics of animal testing.
• Why is Human life sacred? Sanctity of Life
• Is Abortion morally right?
• Is Euthanasia morally right?
• Where do we go when we die? Life after death.

Assessment

50% THEME B (won't be a full module focus)

50 % Islam Beliefs and Teachings

Revision resources