Course Title: RMPS

Course Level: H

Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies

This course helps candidates to understand society. They learn about, and from, religious beliefs, non-religious viewpoints, and personal experience. By exploring how religion, morality and philosophy can help people find meaning and purpose in life, candidates develop their understanding of human beliefs, values and behaviour.

Throughout the course, there are opportunities for candidates to develop literacy, personal learning and thinking skills, and a sense of responsible citizenship.

Candidates study one of the world’s six major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism.

World religion

Candidates develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of the impact and significance of religion today. They study key beliefs and practices of one of the world’s six major religions and the contribution these make to the lives of followers.

Morality and belief

Candidates develop skills to evaluate and express detailed, reasoned and well-structured views about contemporary moral questions and responses. They develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of contemporary moral questions, and religious and non- religious responses to these. Candidates study religious viewpoints from one of the world’s six major religions.

Religious and philosophical questions

Candidates develop skills to critically analyse religious and philosophical questions and responses. They study religious viewpoints from one of the world’s six major religions.

The course allows candidates to:

• develop an understanding and respect for different beliefs, values and viewpoints
• learn how to express their values and beliefs
• put their values or beliefs into action in ways which benefit others
• make informed moral decisions

Purpose and aims

Candidates develop knowledge and understanding of religious, moral and philosophical issues that affect the world today by:

• studying a world religion in detail
• developing an understanding of contemporary moral issues and responses
• studying key aspects of religious and philosophical questions
• exploring questions raised and solutions offered by religious and non-religious perspectives
• reflecting on these, and on their own experience and views

Candidates develop skills which are transferable to other areas of study and useful in everyday life, such as analysis, evaluation, research skills and critical-thinking skills.

In addition, candidates develop:

• the ability to analyse, reflect on and express detailed, reasoned and well-structured views about religious, moral and philosophical questions and their impact
• the ability to investigate, analyse and evaluate religious, moral and philosophical questions and responses
• in-depth knowledge and understanding of beliefs and practices related to world religions
• in-depth knowledge and understanding of religious, moral and philosophical questions and responses to them

Who is this course for?

The course is appropriate for a wide range of candidates, including those who wish to:

• achieve a greater understanding of religion and its place in society
• learn more about the traditions, beliefs and values of their own religion
• progress to more specialised study, further education, training or employment