ITS FOR YOU

Religious Studies is designed for people of any faith… and people who

have no faith.

It is not necessary to have taken Religious studies at GCSE, although students who do have a GCSE in RE will find AS/A level will build on that prior knowledge & understanding.

Welcome to AQA GCE RELIGIOUS STUDIES

KEY LEARNING TOPICS IN THE FIRST YEAR:

RELIGIONS OF ISLAM & SIKHISM.

Need to know all core beliefs and practices.

‘Shahadah is the most important of the 5 pillars for Muslims’ (15 marks)

Explain how Langar ‘is a laboratory of Sewa’ (30 marks)

First year…

You’ll take two exams. One in Islam and one in Sikhism.

Each exam lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes

You are required to answer two essay questions from a choice of 4 in each exam

Where will success take me?

The skills you learn in Religious Studies will be useful to you in a number of careers; teaching, youth work, journalism, civil service or government to name a few.

If you’re thinking of a career in law or medicine then a RS A Level is looked upon favourably for undergraduate courses too.

‘Living in a secular society strengthens religious faith’

How far do you agree? 30 marks

A typical A2 question.

THE SECOND YEAR (A2) more on the religions and RELIGION & CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

It will refer to religion generally in modern society

Transition task, you must do task 1 and pick one of the transition 2 tasks and one of the transition 3 tasks.

Transition activity 1:

What do these keywords mean:

Tawhid

Shirk

Akhirah

Farz

Haram

Makruh

Transition activity 2

‘Shahadah is the most important of the 5 pillars for Muslims’ (15 marks)

Explain what the Shahadah is

What its role and importance is to Muslims as part of the five pillars

When it is said

Just because its first doesn’t make it the most important.

Transition Activity 3: research and answer the following question.

Explain what Muslims believe about Judgement (30 marks)

Include what they believe will happen. When it will happen? What will be taken into account?

Think about the following to help you develop your answer.

Muslims are expected to do the will of Allah.

Transition Activity 2: research and answer this question Explain how and why the Khalsa was

formed (15 marks). Roughly two sides of A4

Refer to what happened, refer to the actual story behind it.

Explain how it was formed and developed, include the actual events, volunteers, amrit.

Explain the reasons for forming the Khalsa, what was happening to the Sikhs at the time?

Explain how Langar ‘is a laboratory of Sewa’ (30 marks) Roughly two sides of A4

Explain what langar and sewa are

What is purpose of it

Why was it started

How does it challenge caste system

Refer to the purpose of selfless service

How is sewa very distinctive to Sikhism in contemporary society

Transition activity 3

Useful websites for Sikhism

http//www.sikhs.org

http//www.Sikh-history.com

http//www.Sikhnet.com

http//www.Allaboutsikhs

http//www.Sikhstudent.org

http//www.Sikhcybermuseum.org

http//www.Sikhspirit.com

http//www.Sikhmissionarysociety.org

Some useful websites for Islam

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/

http://www.rsweb.org.uk/

http://www.academicinfo.net/Islam.html

http://islam.uga.edu/#islam