All pupils from First Year through until the end of Fourth Year are timetabled for one period a week of RME. We also have classes from Third Year onwards who chose to undertake the certificated work of RMPS – Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies. Department data Aims and Ethos Curriculum for excellence RMPS Course descriptions Revision assistance

Department data:  At present the RME staff are Mrs A Stewart (PT) and Miss F Williamson. They can be found in GF035 and GF037 respectively.

Aims and Ethos Our Courses seek to inform our young people about differing social systems, cultures and faiths. We aim to develop within our successful learners; a respect, tolerance and understanding of others lives, whilst providing space for them to grow their own beliefs and values. In studying shared values, whether spiritual, moral, social or cultural we are seeking to grow citizenship skills within our young people. Working together we hope to equip confident individuals to take a full role within school and in the wider community as effective contributors.

Curriculum for Excellence First Year Class members will investigate how Christianity arrived in Scotland, built up religious traditions and also investigate the underlying belief system of this religion. We then widen our scope to investigate other religions within Scotland and research some of their celebrations and festivals, along with the reasons for such occasions. The manner in which secular viewpoints can inform moral decision making is studied by use of debate on issues pertinent to this age group. We are working cross-curricularly to support the IDL trip to Hadrian’s Wall.

Second Year Our young people begin this year with an investigation into matters relating to Equality and Diversity, initially from a Christian perspective. We take part in the Learning for Life national competition thereafter, which encourages them to investigate their own understanding of values such as honesty, respect and compassion. By discovering a range of beliefs from World Religions our young people will discuss ways to approach ‘ultimate questions’. How such judgements and values impact our society will be considered in class by interactive methodologies.

Third Year Within Core RME our young people will spend this year investigating four main areas: War and Peace, Crime and Punishment, Gender, and Medical Ethics. Their investigations into these moral issues will be informed by both religious and secular viewpoints. By the end of this year they should be able to express clear opinions on these issues and state how they have reached their own conclusions. They should also be able to explain how our society has reached its various conclusions on these topics due to a variety of cultural influences.

Fourth Year During Fourth Year Core RME our young people will return to ‘ultimate questions’ and the nature of justice and morality within our own culture. By philosophically questioning cultural and moral issues they will investigate how diversity within society informs decision making. Class members will then make active, reasoned decisions as to what they would change in society and state with reference to current affairs how they believe such matters should be resolved. They should be able to present methods by which they would seek to implement their decisions that also reflect values of respect for others.

Courses leading to certification Access 3 RMPS Intermediate 1 RMPS Intermediate 2 RMPS Higher RMPS Advanced Higher RMPS Click on one of the above options to discover information about any of these courses.

Access 3 RMPS This course has 3 Units – each of which is assessed upon completion by an internal test. There is no external exam for this course. Questioning Morality – This first Unit looks at how people make their own moral decisions in life as to what is right or wrong. Questioning the World – This Unit investigates how our society is structured and how groups within society make moral decisions. Questioning Belief – This Unit looks at the role of beliefs in our society and how they affect the lives of people who hold them.

Intermediate 1 RMPS This Course is comprised of 3 Units over 2 years and is assessed both internally by NAB’s and externally by exam. Third Year begins with an investigation into Medical Ethics in the areas of Embryo Research; Organ Donation and Euthanasia. This is followed by researching a World Faith to discover what it says about our Human condition; the ultimate goals put forward by faith groups and how to achieve them. Fourth Year sees us further our philosophical investigations with a Unit titled ‘The Existence of God’. Arguments both ‘for’ and ‘against’ are researched.

Intermediate 2 RMPS This Course is comprised of 3 Units over 2 years and is assessed both internally by NAB’s and externally by exam. Third Year begins with an investigation into Medical Ethics in the areas of Embryo Research; Organ Donation and Euthanasia. Two religious and one secular viewpoint are used to evaluate these moral issues. This is followed by researching a World Faith to discover what it says about our Human condition; the ultimate goals put forward by faith groups and how to achieve them. Fourth Year sees us further our philosophical investigations with a Unit titled ‘The Existence of God’. Arguments both ‘for’ and ‘against’ are researched.

Higher RMPS This Course is comprised of 3 Units over 2 years and is assessed both internally by NAB’s and externally by exam. It can be undertaken either in Fifth or Sixth Year. 1. We research into Buddhism first to discover what it says about our Human condition; the ultimate goals for Buddhists and how they seek to achieve them. 2. Our philosophical investigations into arguments surrounding Scientific and Religious methodology lead us to investigate the Theories of the Big Bang and Evolution versus liberal and fundamental theologies in a Unit titled Christianity Belief and Science. 3. We research the various moral viewpoints that impinge upon issues relating to Crime and Punishment.

Advanced Higher RMPS During Sixth Year a small number elect to take this self- study course. Studies are supported by staff during non- contact time. There are 3 Units of work in this course, two of which are internally assessed: Medical Ethics and Philosophy of Religion. The Dissertation upon an agreed topic of approximately 4,000 words, and the final course exam are assessed externally. The Dissertation and associated research count as the third Unit. Resources are held in the Department and arrangements have been made with the Library to facilitate the learning within this Course.

Revision Assistance We are currently compiling a list of web sites and resources for each of our Courses. This will be uploaded when complete. In the meantime advice can be sought from Department members.