The Knowledge and Skills overviews show the specific philosophy and religious studies content students will learn in each unit of study throughout the year. These documents outline both the substantive knowledge (philosophical concepts, religious beliefs, and ethical theories) and the disciplinary skills (reasoned argument, textual analysis, and evaluative thinking) that students will develop. Each unit is broken down to clearly identify what students need to know and what they should be able to do upon completion. Through the systematic development of both knowledge and skills, students build philosophical inquiry, religious literacy, and ethical reasoning appropriate to their stage of learning.
Does God exist?
| Unit Progress Criteria |
| Knowledge |
Skills |
- What is God? – Perceived attributes of God (omniwords) and the role of God/deities.
- Exploring concepts such as polytheism, monotheism and deism.
- Reasons people might believe in God.
- Reasons people don’t believe in God.
- William Paley’s argument from design.
- Objections to the design argument.
- Cosmological argument (Aquinas).
- Objections to the first cause argument.
- Problem of evil.
- Responses to evil – Free will, soul-making theodicy, the problem of understanding.
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- Define and use all key terms confidently
- Recall and define the perceived attributes of God (omni words)
- Describe reasons why people might believe in God
- Describe reasons why people might not believe in God
- Explain Paley’s argument from design
- Evaluate objections to Paley’s argument from design
- Explain Aquinas’ cosmological argument
- Evaluate objections to Aquinas’ cosmological argument
- Explain the problem of evil and various responses to it
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Is there life after death?
| Unit Progress Criteria |
| Knowledge |
Skills |
- Near death experiences (NDEs) and the paranormal - looking at various case studies and discussing the validity of such experiences as proof of life after death.
- Buddhist beliefs about life after death - the relationship between karma, reincarnation (samsara) and enlightenment
- Christian beliefs about life after death - the relationship between a person’s actions and the afterlife.
- Non-religious beliefs about life after death.
- What it means to prove something.
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- Define and use all key terms confidently
- Recall various religious beliefs regarding life after death
- Describe NDEs, providing examples of case studies
- Recount details of various accounts of paranormal activity and evaluate the truth of the claims in proving life after death
- Describe and explain Christian beliefs about life after death and how these influence daily life
- Describe and explain Buddhist beliefs about life after death and how these influence daily life
- Evaluate the relationship between belief and proof, giving examples
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Ways of living Judaism
| Unit Progress Criteria |
| Knowledge |
Skills |
- The origins of Judaism and Abraham - Abraham’s tests and covenant with God.
- Moses and the Exodus.
- The Torah – the role of the Torah in synagogue, differences in interpretation, the significance of how a Torah is cared for.
- Orthodox and Reform Judaism - differences in interpretation of shabbat, dress, dietary laws and modern life.
- Hanukkah - the origins and significance of Hanukkah and how it is celebrated today.
- Pesach (Passover) - the origins and significance of Passover and how it is celebrated today.
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- Define and use all key terms confidently
- Give examples of differences between reform and orthodox lifestyles
- Understand how ways of interpreting the Torah impact daily life
- Recount the story of the Czech scrolls and how it is used to symbolise resilience and hope
- Recount the origins of Pesach and Hanukkah and how they are celebrated today
- Understand the symbolism behind the Seder plate
- To evaluate the impact of religion on Jews today
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