| Unit1 | Unit2 | Unit3 | Unit4 | Unit5 | Unit6 |
The six units are dealt with in order.
- For each section there is an idea of what needs to be covered.
It cannot be over-emphasized that these are only the outlines of the specification and clearly the detail is much more complex.
A study of philosophical arguments for the existence of God:
• design key ideas, strengths and weaknesses
• cosmological key ideas, strengths and weaknesses
• religious and scientific interpretations of the origins of the universe.
A study of the problem of evil and suffering:
• types of evil
• problem of evil and suffering in relation to beliefs about the nature of God
• Augustinian, Irenaean and Process theodicies.
A study of philosophical debates about miracles:
• concepts of miracle
• reasons to believe in miracles
• philosophical problems with reference to Hume.
This unit will be assessed by one piece of coursework with a recommended length of 2,000 - 2,500 words.
This will be externally marked. Students will spend approximately 33% of their AS learning time on this component.
There are about 150 titles to choose from and they can be purely religious, philosophical or a mixture of both.
It is also possible to submit your own title to the board for approval.
Background
A study of Gautama:
historical, religious and social context; influence on Gautama
his life and work; significance for Buddhists.
Key Concepts
A study of key concepts and emphases:
the three refuges, meaning and significance
types and purposes of meditation, their context and application
the Sangha in Theravada Buddhism, organisation, relationship with laity.
Buddhist Ethics
A study of Buddhist ethics:
eight-fold path including the five precepts, context and distinctive emphases
karma, meaning and significance
family life and social justice, distinctive emphases and application.
A study of philosophical arguments for the existence of God:
religious experience key concepts, strengths and weaknesses
ontological key concepts, strengths and weaknesses
concepts of proof and probability
non-existence of God and critiques of religious belief.
A study of beliefs about life after death:
arguments for and against belief in life after death
reincarnation
rebirth
resurrection
immortality of the soul.
A study of religious language:
analogy
language games
myth and symbol
verification and falsification debates.
Developments
A study of the expansion of Buddhism:
life and work of Ashoka, context and significance
developments in China and Japan including beliefs and practices of Pure Land and Zen,
types of tradition, key people and distinctive emphases.
Key Concepts
A study of key concepts and emphases:
dukkha meaning and significance
anatta meaning and significance
anicca meaning and significance
nirvana meaning and significance
bodhisattva types, significance, key teachings.
Texts
A study of selected texts from Buddhist Scriptures (ed. Conze, E. Penguin 1959)
The Questions of King Milinda (pp 146-162)
The Deer Park Sermon (pp 186-187)
part of the Lotus Sutra (pp 197-211).
Students will be expected to draw together their knowledge and understanding of the
connections between different modules from across their full Advanced GCE programme of
study.
The assessment of this module will be by an examination of one hour thirty minutes duration. It forms the synoptic assessment of this Advanced GCE. Students should spend approximately 40% of their A2 learning time on this module.
Students are required to study 2 topics. The study should develop the
students knowledge and understanding of the connections between different modules. Students should explicitly draw together the knowledge, understanding and skills learned in different modules of this Advanced GCE course. They should also relate such connections to their broader context and to specified aspects of human experience. The content, which forms the basis for these connections, is specified in Modules 2 - 11. Students will select and adapt the relevant content and skills so as to meet the synoptic demands of AO1 and AO2.
Either
10 A study of philosophical arguments in one religion.
Students will select and adapt relevant content and/or skills from among the following
specification details:
skills in philosophy (philosophical arguments and debates, analysis of language)
debates between different Buddhist schools/traditions.
11 A philosophical study of attitudes to life after death in one world religion.
Students will select and adapt relevant content and/or skills from among the following
specification details:
arguments for and against belief in life after death, reincarnation, rebirth, resurrection,
immortality of the soul
Buddhism and rebirth.
