Religious Studies

Examinations Dates

Year 12 Examinations Dates:

• Provisional UCAS Predicted Grade Examinations: TBC.
• Final UCAS Predicted Grade Examinations: TBC.

Year 13 Examinations Dates:

• Component 1 (Study of Religion) Final Examination: TBC.
• Component 2 (Philosophy of Religion) Final Examination: TBC.
• Component 3 (Religion & Ethics) Final Examination: TBC.

Examining Body

• The examining body is Eduqas.

Assessment Objectives

Assessment Objective 1:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including: religious, philosophical and/or ethical thought and teaching; influence of beliefs, teachings and practices on individuals, communities and societies; cause and significance of similarities and differences in belief, teaching and practice; approaches to the study of religion and belief.

Assessment Objective 2

Analyse and evaluate aspects of, and approaches to, religion and belief, including their significance, influence and study.

Topics:

Component 1D: the Study of Religion (Buddhism):

Theme 1 - Religious Figures and Sacred Texts:

• 1A - Accounts of the Birth of the Historical Buddha and the Four Sights;
• 1B - The Awakening / Enlightenment of the Buddha;
• 1C - The Patimokkha and the Theravada Monastic Sangha;
• 1D - The Pali Canon; 1E - The Heart and Lotus Sutras;
• 1F - The Work of Contemporary Buddhist Teachers (the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh).

Theme 2 - Religious Concepts and Religious Life:

• 2A - The Three Lakshanas (The Three Marks of Existence);
• 2B - Pratityasamutpada, Karma, and Re-birth;
• 2C - Arhat and Bodhisattva (Theravada and Mahayana Teachings);
• 2D - The Four Noble Truths;
• 2E - The Eightfold Path;
• 2F - The Dasa Sila (The Ten Precepts).

Theme 3 - Significant Social and Historical Developments in Religious Thought:

• 3A - The Development of Key Buddhist Traditions in Japan;
• 3B - Buddhist Responses to the Challenges from Science;
• 3C - Buddhist Responses to the Challenges from Secularisation;
• 3D - Buddhist Responses to the Challenges of Religious Pluralism and Diversity;
• 3E - Historical Development of Buddhism in Britain;
• 3F - The Changing Roles of Men and Women within Buddhism.

Theme 4 - Religious Practices and Religious Identity:

• 4A - Going for Refuge;
• 4B - Meditation;
• 4C - Dana (Giving) and Punya (Merit);
• 4D - The Beliefs and Practices of Tibetan Buddhist Traditions;
• 4E - The Mindfulness Movement;
• 4F - Socially Engaged Buddhism and Liberationist Traditions.