1. Religious Studies GCSE
What is the difference between long and short course?
What does it cover?
Why study it?

2. Religious Studies Short Course
Compulsory for all students
One lesson per week
Half a GCSE
OCR examination board
One 2 hour exam at the end of Year 11
No controlled assessment

3. Religious Studies Full Course
1 additional lesson per week.
2 further exams, each of 1 hour
10 GCSEs (rather than 10 and a half)
1 additional free period

4. Why study RS?
Time to reflect on important issues, relevant to all our lives
Development of skills, e.g.
Logical thinking
Evaluation
Independent thinking
Written and verbal expression
To reflect on and develop your own position (whether religious or not)

5. Full course Results August 2015
57% at A*
86% at A and above
100% at B and above

6. New gcse Section A: A systematic study of two religions Section 2:
Religion, philosophy and ethics in the modern world

7. Christianity (Full Course and Short Course) Nature of God Trinity
Creation
Person of Jesus
Eschatological Beliefs
(Full Course only)
Knowledge of practises
Different views within Christianity
Issues raised by pluralistic society

8. Judaism (Full Course and Short Course) Messiah Promised Land
Sanctity of Life
(Full Course only)
Worship
Prayer
Shabbat
Dietary Laws

9. Relationships and families
(Covered by full and short course)
E.g.
What is the purpose of marriage?
Should Christians allow civil partnerships?
What should the roles of men and women be?

10. Religion, Peace and conflict
(Covered by full and short course)
E.g.
Is there such a thing as a just war?
Should Christians be pacifists?
Why is there terrorism in the world?

11. Existence of god
(Full Course only) What evidence is there for the existence of God? How should we understand experiences of God, e.g. miracles, visions?

12. Dialogue between religions
(Full course only) What challenges are there for religious believers today? e.g. medical ethics – abortion, euthanasia etc Faith schools Dialogue between religions Disagreement between Christianity and secularism

13. Why choose Full Course over Short Course GCSE?
Because you enjoy RS!
To gain clearer understanding by extending the range of topics
Content of the course means that topics overlap and knowledge can be more easily consolidated.
An advantage if choosing Religious Studies for AS Level
To take advantage of smaller classes and a less pressurised GCSE timetable

14. Why did you choose full course?

15. What has been your favourite thing so far?

16. Are you glad you chose full course Religious studies?

17. Any questions?