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Religious Studies Guidance for Teaching

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Religious Studies Guidance for Teaching GCE A LEVEL WJEC Eduqas GCE A LEVEL in RELIGIOUS STUDIES ACCREDITED BY OFQUAL GUIDANCE FOR TEACHING Teaching from 2016 This Ofqual regulated qualification is not available for candidates in maintained schools and colleges in Wales. Contents Introduction 3 Aims of the Guidance for Teaching 3 Frequently Asked Questions 4 Summary of Assessment 5 Co-teachability information 7 Assessment Objectives 9-10 Command word glossary 11-12 Assessment Objectives and examples of their related command words 13-14 Delivering the Specification Component 1: A Study of Religion Option A: A Study of Christianity 15-34 Option B: A Study of Islam 35-49 Option C: A Study of Judaism 50-64 Option D: A Study of Buddhism 65-87 Option E: A Study of Hinduism 88-105 Option F: A Study of Sikhism 106-120 Component 2: Philosophy of Religion 121-141 Component 3: Religion and Ethics 142-167 2 Introduction The WJEC Eduqas A Level in Religious Studies provides a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. A level Religious Studies encourages learners to develop: • their interest in a rigorous study of religion and belief and relate it to the wider world • knowledge and understanding appropriate to a specialist study of religion • understanding and appreciation of religious thought and its contribution to individuals, communities and societies • an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion, including considering the views of scholars/academics • the ability to analyse the nature of connections between the components they have studied • their own values, opinions and attitudes, in the light of their study. The A level will be awarded for the first time in Summer 2018, using grades A*–E. The specification is intended to promote a variety of styles of teaching and learning. It is presented in a clear and concise way (with each Component or Option within a component containing four themes), to ensure that its content is accessible, relevant and engaging for both teachers and learners. Aims of the Guidance for Teaching The principal aim of the Guidance for Teaching is to support teachers in the delivery of the new WJEC Eduqas A level Religious Studies specification and to offer guidance on the requirements of the A level specification and the assessment process. The guidance is not intended as a comprehensive reference, but as support for professional teachers to develop stimulating and exciting courses tailored to the needs and skills of their own students in their particular centres. In addition, this guidance must not be used instead of the specification, but must be used to support the delivery of it. This guidance offers assistance to teachers with regard to possible classroom activities, links to digital resources (both our own, freely available, digital materials and some from external sources), text books and other resources, to provide ideas when planning interesting, topical and engaging lessons. Additional ways that WJEC Eduqas can offer support: • Specimen assessment materials • Face-to-face CPD training courses • Examiners' reports on each question paper • Free access to past question papers and mark schemes via the secure website • Direct access to the Subject Officer and Support Officers • Free online resources – Eduqas Digital Resources • Exam Results Analysis • Online Examination Review. The specification, latest news, resources and the Subject Officer/Subject Support Officers' contact details are available on the Eduqas AS/A Level Religious Studies webpage. 3 Frequently Asked Questions 1. When do I start teaching the new specification? Teaching will start in September 2016, with the first assessment in 2018. 2. If I am co-teaching a class is there any information about what to teach in Year 1 and what to teach in Year 2? Yes – see pages 6 and 7. 3. What training does WJEC Eduqas offer? In support of all our qualifications, regular CPD training takes place at locations across England, throughout the academic year. Details can be found here. 4. Are there digital resources available to support this qualification? Yes, free digital resources can be found on the Eduqas Resources website here 5. What other resources are available from WJEC Eduqas to support this qualification? A full list of resources to support this qualification can be found here on the Eduqas website. 6. Will there be a supporting text book for the qualification? Yes, for the majority of options available. Various course companion text books are being produced by Illuminate Publishing. Further details can be found here. 7. Will you be providing examples of student exemplars with examiners' commentaries? Yes, these will be available from September 2016 onwards via our Online Exam Review (OER) site, which can be found here. 8. What other support is available? We provide direct access to dedicated subject specialists and helpful administrative staff to support centres with all aspects of delivering the qualification. 9. How can I receive regular updates about this subject? You can sign up here. You can also follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WJEC_RS 4 SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT Learners must study all three components. Component 1: A Study of Religion Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of qualification This component offers the choice of the study of one religion from a choice of six: Option A: Christianity Option B: Islam Option C: Judaism Option D: Buddhism Option E: Hinduism Option F: Sikhism There will be four themes within each option: religious figures and sacred texts; religious concepts and religious life; significant social and historical developments in religious thought; religious practices and religious identity. Learners will be expected to answer one question from Section A out of a choice of two and one question from Section B out of a choice of three in this component. Questions can be taken from any area of the specification. Component 2: Philosophy of Religion Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of qualification There will be four themes within this component: arguments for the existence of God; challenges to religious belief; religious experience; religious language. Learners will be expected to answer one question from Section A out of a choice of two and one question from Section B out of a choice of three in this component. Component 3: Religion and Ethics Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of qualification There will be four themes within this component: ethical thought; deontological ethics; teleological ethics; determinism and free will. Learners will be expected to answer one question from Section A out of a choice of two and one question from Section B out of a choice of three in this component. Questions can be taken from any area of the specification. This linear qualification will be available in May/June each year. It will be awarded for the first time in summer 2018. 5 Specification overview - A Level Study of Religion Philosophy of Religion Religion and Ethics Theme 1 Religious figures and Arguments for the Ethical thought sacred texts existence of God Theme 2 Religious concepts and Challenges to Deontological Ethics religious life religious belief Theme 3 Significant social and Religious experience Teleological ethics historical developments in religious thought Theme 4 Religious practices that Religious language Determinism and Free shape religious identity Will Black = existing areas which have been ‘topped up’ from AS Blue = AS material only Orange = completely new area for A level 6 A level – co-teachability grid Component 1 Year 1 Year 2 AS content as found in the A level extra content needed for Study of Religion specification full A level Theme 1 A, B & C D, E & F Theme 2 A, B, C, D, E & F Theme 3 A, B, C, D, E & F Theme 4 A, B & C D, E & F Component 2 Year 1 Year 2 AS content as found in the A level extra content needed for Philosophy of specification full A level Religion Theme 1 A, B, C, D, E & F Theme 2 A, B & C D, E & F Theme 3 A, B & C D, E & F Theme 4 A, B, C, D, E & F 7 Component 3 Year 1 Year 2 AS content as found in the A level extra content needed for Religion and specification full A level Ethics Theme 1 A, B & C D, E & F Theme 2 A, B & C D, E & F Theme 3 A, B, C, D, E & F Theme 4 A, B, C, D, E & F Assessment Objectives (Taken from the Ofqual document GCE Subject Level Guidance for Religious Studies July 2015) The tables which follow, illustrates how the Assessment Objectives (AOs) are divided and shows where they are also sub-divided into strands and/or elements. AO1: 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 8 • cause and significance of similarities and differences in belief, teaching and practice • approaches to the study of religion and belief. No. Strand Element 1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including religious, philosophical and/or This strand is a single element. ethical thought and teaching. 2 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including influence of beliefs, teachings and This strand is a single element. practices on individuals, communities and societies. 3 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including cause and significance This strand is a single element. of similarities and differences in belief, teaching and practice. 4 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including approaches to the study of This strand is a single element. religion and belief. 9 AO2: Analyse and evaluate aspects of, and approaches to, religion and belief, including their significance, influence and study. Strands Elements Interpretations and definitions n/a 1.
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