Aims & Objectives

Course Aims

• Encourage the systematic and critical study of: human experience and behaviour; physical, economic and social environments; and the history and development of social and cultural institutions

• Develop in the student the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society

• Enable the student to collect, describe and analyse data used in studies of society, to test hypotheses, and to interpret complex data and source material

• Promote the appreciation of the way in which learning is relevant both to the culture in which the student lives, and the culture of other societies

• Develop an awareness in the student that human attitudes and beliefs are widely diverse and that the study of society requires an appreciation of such diversity

• Enable the student to recognize that the content and methodologies of the individuals and societies subjects are contestable and that their study requires the toleration of uncertainty

• Promote an inquiring, analytical and empathetic approach to the study of religion

• Develop an informed understanding of the diversity of world religions

• Foster a respectful awareness of the significance of the beliefs and practices for the faith member

• Develop an understanding of how religion affects people’s lives

• Encourage a global appreciation of the issues surrounding religious and spiritual beliefs, controversies and movements in the world today

• Promote responsible and informed international citizenship

Assessment Objectives

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of specified content

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of five world religions chosen for the introductory unit

• define, understand and use concepts associated with particular world religions

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of two religions reflecting different traditions

• in internal assessment, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a specific world religions investigative study

Demonstrate application and analysis of knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate how the key concepts of a religion are expressed in the behaviour of believers

• demonstrate application and analysis of concepts

• research, select and analyse material from both primary and secondary sources

Demonstrate synthesis and evaluation

• evaluate concepts associated with world religions

• synthesise by integrating evidence and critical commentary

Select, use and apply a variety of appropriate skills and techniques

• select, use and apply the prescribed world religions skills in appropriate contexts

• demonstrate the ability to organize ideas into a clear, logical, coherent and balanced account

• evaluate the reliability of evidence and the chosen method of research for the internal assessment