Ethics
“Religion is a major source of inspiration, meaning, and controversy in human culture, informing history, politics, economics, art, and literature.”
University of Pennsylvannia
| Knowledge and Wisdom in Ethics and Philosophy | As a Church of England Academy, all students study Ethics and Philosophy at KS3 and GCSE during their time at Manshead CE Academy, with the option to continue to A Level if they choose to. At KS3 there is a focus on Christianity, Islam and Sikhism moving into ethical issues and how religions approach these. At GCSE there is an emphasis on both Christianity and Islam, their central beliefs and practices alongside thematic studies of areas such as relationships and peace and conflict. At A level students are able to study in depth Philosophy of Religion, Ethics and Christianity. The department delivers a broad and balanced curriculum in order to allow students to develop their own beliefs whilst investigating the beliefs of others.
The knowledge gained by our students in Ethics and Philosophy will give them the wisdom to leave Manshead CE Academy with a solid grounding of different faiths to enable them to have an understanding of people from different cultures and backgrounds who they will encounter whatever path they choose to take. |
| Curriculum and Teaching and Learning Overview | Students across all key stages will be able to reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in light of what they have learnt. Within the department we study a range of relevant and contemporary themes that will promote awareness of modern-world issues and engagement. This helps to prepare our students for when they leave school and embark on courses and careers in the multi-cultural society in which they live. As part of Ethics and Philosophy students are taught acceptance and respect of those who are of a different faith and cultural background. A variety of teaching methods are used to allow students to explore various key questions and to allow pupils to gain an appreciation of different viewpoints and an acceptance of these. Students are given the opportunity to work both independently and as part of a group to deepen their knowledge of the curriculum. Students of all abilities will be challenged and inspired, whilst developing valuable skills sought after by higher education and employers, such as the ability to construct an argument and explain their opinion.
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| Learning beyond the classroom | Students and parents both have access to the department’s knowledge organisers and revision resources on both Show My Homework and the portal. GCSE students all have access to BBC Bitesize Religious Education contains many interactive resources for both KS3 and GCSE which students can access to further their knowledge and understanding.
A Level students are given the opportunity to further their knowledge through recommended wider reading and access to Dialogue, which is a specialist online journal for A-level Religious Studies and Philosophy. |
Curriculum Overview
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring
1 |
Spring
2 |
Summer
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Summer
2 |
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| Year 7 | Islam in the 21st century | Islam in the 21st century | Jesus | Jesus | Sikhism in the 21st Century | Sikhism in the 21st Century |
| Year 8 | What makes a person inspirational to others? | What makes a person inspirational to others? | What do people believe about God and the Universe? Should Christians be greener than everyone else? (Creation) | What do people believe about God and the Universe? Should Christians be greener than everyone else? (Creation) | Why is there suffering in the world? What do we do when life gets hard? | Why is there suffering in the world? What do we do when life gets hard? |
| Year 9 | What difference does it make to be an atheist or agnostic in Britain today? | What will make our community a more respectful place? | How do Christians and Muslims respond to God? | How do Christians and Muslims respond to God? | What is the value of a human life? | GCSE Peace and Conflict |
| Year 10 | GCSE Peace and Conflict | Christian Beliefs/practices | Relationships | Christian beliefs/practices | Crime and Punishment | Crime and Punishment PPE prep |
| Year 11 | GCSE Peace and Conflict | Islamic Beliefs | Religion and Life | Islamic Practices | Revision for GCSE examinations | |
| Year 12 |
Natural Law Situation Ethics Virtue Ethics Arguments for the existence of God |
Application of theories – human life
Evil and Suffering |
Authority and Wisdom
God in Theology |
Application of theories – animals
Good conduct and key moral principles Religious Experience |
Expressions of religious identity.
Life after death in Christianity |
Expressions of religious identity.
Life after death in Christianity |
| Year 13 | Free will and moral responsibility/Dialogues
Conscience/Dialogues Self, death and afterlife |
Meta Ethics
Religion and Science |
Bentham and Kant/Dialogues
Religious Language |
Religion and Secularisation and religious pluralism.
Christianity, Gender & Sexuality |
Revision |
