Ethics and Philosophy
Staff
- Mrs S Bence (Head of EP)
- Mrs A Angell
- Miss J Nutt
Ethics and Philosophy matters at Carre’s Grammar School.
The 21st century brings with it new and exciting developments in the realms of science and technology. Little time is often found to reflect as the changes are sometimes too fast for many of us to keep up with. Ethics and Philosophy gives the students the opportunity to reflect upon the changes to our society, to wonder why and ask questions about our very existence. Students need to explore the ultimate questions of human existence as well as reflect upon their own experiences, values and beliefs.
The Ethics and Philosophy Department at Carre’s Grammar School aims to promote the spiritual, moral and philosophical dimensions of human existence; to enable students to develop their own spiritual, philosophical beliefs and moral values whilst remaining sensitive to the views and beliefs of others.
During their Ethics and Philosophy lessons students are given the opportunity to:
- acquire knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of Christianity and other world religions
- be aware of and respond to life experiences, technological advances and the questions they raise
- to evaluate the significance of religious concepts, beliefs and practices through an ability to express personal opinions based on the use of appropriate evidence and argument
- develop sensitivity towards the beliefs of other people.
Courses
Ethics and Philosophy is open to all at Carre’s…..it matters not whether a pupil is a believer, non-believer, or is just sitting on the fence making up his mind. We use a variety of teaching and learning activities, including: discussion; group work; case studies; questionnaires; research; art work; reflection and the development of listening and thinking and reasoning skills.
Schemes of Work
Key Stage 3
Our Key Stage 3 course uses the QCA Scheme of Work units as a basis for planning and to supplement the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.
In Year 7 we include the following units of work:
- What is Morality?
- What does Justice mean to Christians?
- Who was Gotama Buddha and why was he so important?
- Why worship is important to believers.
- What would a Multi-Denominational Church look like?
During the Summer term, all of Year 7 have the opportunity to visit Lincoln Cathedral in order to gather ideas on creating their own Multi-Denominational Church.
In Year 8 the following units are included:
- Charity
- The importance of Festivals
- What makes a Gurdwara special and how Sikhs worship
- Where do we look for God?
- Who am I?
In Year 9 the following units are included:
- Technology – beauty or beast?
- Human Rights and the work of Amnesty International
- The Resurrection of Jesus – What happened to the Body?
- During the Summer Term all of Year 9 begin to study their first topic for the Full Course GCSE Religious Studies – The Problem of Evil and Suffering
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 all students study to complete the Full Course GCSE Religious Studies. We follow the AQA GCSE Religious Studies (Specification B) course Units 2 and 4.
Topics studied include:
Unit 2 (Religion and Life Issues)
- Animal Rights
- Planet Earth
- Prejudice and Discrimination
- Early Life
- War and Peace
Unit 4 (Ultimate Questions and Religious Philosophy)
- Arguments for the Existence of God
- The Problems of Evil and Suffering
- Immortality
- Miracles
- Science and Religion
At the end of Year 10, all students have the opportunity to attend the Holocaust Memorial Centre to enhance their understanding of both prejudice and the problem of evil and suffering.
Key Stage 5
At Key Stage 5 we offer the AQA Philosophy and Ethics Course. The teaching is shared between Carre’s Grammar School where Ethics is taught and St George’s Academy where Philosophy of Religion is taught.
AS Unit A Religion and Ethics (Taught at Carre’s)
- Utilitarianism
- Situation Ethics
- The Nature and Value of Human Life
- Abortion and Euthanasia
AS Unit D Religion, Philosophy and Science (Taught at St. George’s Academy)
- Miracles
- Creation
- The Design Argument
- Quantum Mechanics and a Religious World View
A2 Unit 3B Philosophy of Religion (Taught at St. George’s Academy)
- Ontological Argument
- Religious language
- Body,soul and Personal identity
- The problem of evil
A2 Unit 4c Religion and Human Experience
This is a synoptic paper taught at Carre’s where we will study the following topic:
- Making Moral Decisions (The use and allocation of medical resources)
Throughout the course there are numerous opportunities to attend renowned National Conferences with leading Philosophers.