Philosophy, Theology & Ethics

Key Stage 5

What can students do to develop their skills in this subject area?

• Attend additional revision sessions and crammers as and when they are offered.
• Ask teachers for information on competitions related to Philosophy/Religious Studies.
• Create a comprehensive revision guide for the unit of work that they are studying.
• Create a glossary of philosophical vocabulary and terminology.
• Ask teachers for access to past exam papers/sample questions and answers.

What wider reading can be completed to support the curriculum?

• Students could read and critically evaluate the presentation of religion within any national newspapers.
• Subscribe to RS review and read the magazines they send.
• Ask teaching staff if they have texts you can borrow related to any areas of the course they are particularly interested in, or philosophers that they enjoy.

The following texts may be of interest:

• The Bible.
• The Republic - Plato.
• De Anima - Aristotle.
• Meditations - Descartes.
• The Brothers Karamazov - Dostoyevsky.
• Sophie's World - Jostein Gaarder.
• The Life of Pi - Yann Martel.
• The God Delusion, The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins.
• The Puzzle of Ethics and The Puzzle of God by Peter Vardy.
• Teach Yourself Philosophy and Teach Yourself Christianity.
• The Miracle of Theism - J L Mackie.
• Consolation of Philosophy - Boethius.

What websites could students visit to support the curriculum?

www.peped.org/philosophicalinvestigations
www.rsrevision.com
www.bbc.co.uk/religion
www.humanism.org.uk
www.philosophyonline.co.uk
www.philosophyofreligion.info
www.theguardian.com/world/religion
www.catholicherald.co.uk
www.churchofengland.org

Access a wide range of relevant resources at www.hoddereducation.co.uk

Can television and film assist with supporting the curriculum?

Certain television programmes can be useful:

• The Big Questions - Sunday mornings on BBC One.
• Use BBC iPlayer and 4 On Demand to watch programmes and documentaries about religion.

Watching films such as:

• The Matrix.
• Jesus of Nazareth.
• Schindler's List.
• God on Trial.
• The Truman Show.
• The Magdalene Sisters
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
• Gattaca.
• Million Dollar Baby.
• Ghost in the Shell.
• What Dreams May Come.
• Bonhoeffer.
• Agent of Grace.

Additionally, follow people such as the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Richard Dawkins, etc. on Twitter.

Watch Mr McMillan's revision videos on youtube - www.youtube.com/user/MrMcMillanREvis/videos

How can parents/carers help and what can be done at home?

• Discuss and debate current affairs, particularly issues related directly to religious, philosophical and ethical issues, e.g. campaigns for euthanasia or scientific developments that challenge religious beliefs.
• Assist your son or daughter in visiting places of interest - such as cathedrals or the Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre (Nottingham).
• Visit places of religious interest, either locally (e.g. Grimsby Minster, Lincoln Cathedral) or further afield.
• When on holiday, take note of religious customs/dress/places of worship - many popular destinations have a lot to offer in terms of deepening understanding of religion.
• Look for evidence of religion where you might not expect to find it, e.g. think about how religion may be relevant if you study Art, or History, Psychology or Sociology.