Here are the units we cover in the first year. Each one takes approximately half a term. At the time of writing this (Sep 09) I intend to cover the first two unit simultaneously because they are foundational to the rest of the course.

Deity means 'God'. Don't get confused by the title.

There are three parts to this unit to cover before we can call it a day:

1. The Nature of God: what does Christianity believe God is like?

2. Belief in God: what reasons do Christians give for their faith?

3. Miracles: what are they? examples (including Jesus and the Holy Spirit)

It seems simple but these are MASSIVE and very complex. You will still be picking stuff up at the end of the course. Keep an open mind and continue scooping.

The God pages are useful. Also check the older GCSE page for bits and bobs under the 'Nature of God' for extra tips.


Here is a sample assessment from the exam board:

Belief about Deity Unit

(a) What is a god? (1 mark)

(b) State two things which Christians might believe about miracles. (2 marks)

(c) Describe Christian beliefs about God. (3 marks) (d) Explain why Christians believe in God. (6 marks)

(e) ‘If God existed we would know it.’ Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (12 marks)



This document will give you some good general advice about how the exam works.

There are four things that have to be covered here:

1. What does the idea 'Revelation' mean?

2. Examples of Revelation:
a. through the world around us
b. in the person of Jesus
c. through mystical and religious experience

3. How the Bible has 'authority'

4. What the Bible means to Christians

There is a lot of stuff scattered across the website to assist in this section. I spent a lot of time during summer 2009 filming interviews to assist in this. When they are completed I shall post some updates.

There are four sections to complete in this very grown-up unit:

1. Roles of men and women in the Christian church and family. What are they? What different views are there among Christians? What reasons are given for this?

2. Marriage and marriage ceremonies. What happens in a ceremony? How does a ceremony reflect and emphasise teachings about marriage? What do Christians think about civil partnerships?

3. Divorce. WHat does Christianity have to say about divorce and remarriage? Are there different views? What are they based on? How do these things work out in practice?

4. Sexual relationships and contraception. What teachings are there in Christianity about sexual relationships? What views are there on contraceptives? Why?

The S, M, D section is a good for this.

There are three parts to cover:

1. Body and soul: what are they? How do they relate to each other?

2. Life after death: what do Christians believe? What do they say about Heaven, Hell, Salvation, Redemption, Christ's suffering and purgatory*

3. Funeral rites: what happens in a Christian funeral, and how does this reflect Christian ideas and support the bereaved?

There is never a good time to cover something as heavy as this unit. If you want to talk or feel it is important to have some space then please get in touch via school or the contact page. Some things are more important than passing exams.

*this is not a mainstream Christian belief.

Five(!) big things to enjoy:

1. Principle of equality: what is equality and what does the Bible have to say about it?

2. Attitudes towards racism: what do Christians think about prejudice and equality wih regard to race?

3. Attitudes towards gender: what do Christians think about prejudice and equality wih regard to gender, and how do female roles work out in a Christian community?

4. Christian attitudes to religions other than their own: can you give examples of missionary work, evangelism and ecumenism? Do all Christians agree with these? Why?

5. Forgiveness and reconciliation: what is a Christian view of forgiveness? How does this work in examples in real Christian lives? What is reconciliation and how does this work out in similar ways?

This unit is not easy.

Here are the units we cover in the second year. Each one takes approximately half a term.

Four sections to ascend:

1. Good and evil: what are they? Who is the devil? What is the devil's relationship with God? How did evil come about? What are The Fall, original sin and redemption?

2. The problem of evil: what is the difference betweem natural and moral evil? Why is evil a problem for people who believe in God? How do Christians respond to evil and suffering in the world?

3. Coping with suffering: this is covered at the end of the last point - responses innit.

4. Sources and reasons for moral behaviour: why behave good if you are a Christian? What behaviour can a Christian follow?

Once again... a tough one to grasp.

Four areas to think about - this is a great unit - very challenging but great to get into:

1. Religious views of wealth and of the causes of hunger, poverty and disease: is wealth/money good or bad? Why? Where does poverty, hunger and disease come from?

2. Concern for others: what does the Bible say about responding to others? What do Christians mean by 'charity'? Examples in practice.

3. The uses of money: is wealth/money good or bad? Why? Giving to charity examples.

4. Moral and immoral occupations: what jobs can/can't a Christian do? Why? Give teachings.

Phew!

Three parts, but this one can get a little intense...

1. How Christianity relates to the media: different forms of the media, how it influences us, how Christianity/ideas and important figures are portrayed, what messages are given across in media products.

2. Use of the media: how Christians use it to get across ideas of their faith. Education and evangelism.

3. Censorship/freedom of speech: what they are and how they are expressed in different examples. Views about violence and sex in the media. What issues are raised by censorship/freedom of speech.

It is a new unit for this GCSE, but it has great potential to explore interesting stuff.

The ones we don't currently cover are highlighted in bold.

Unit B601: Philosophy 1 (Deity, Religious and Spiritual Experience, End of Life)
Unit B602: Philosophy 2 (Good and Evil, Revelation, Science)
Unit B603: Ethics 1 (Relationships, Medical Ethics, Poverty and Wealth)
Unit B604: Ethics 2 (Peace and Justice, Equality, Media)

I promise put something here as we go.

For now it is a reminder to do it...

This exam has some major differences to the older GCSE and needs to be approached carefully.

This is a good general document offering some advice on getting a higher grade.

If you can make the right moves you will be able to make the most of the exam for your own benefit.

This is a good general document offering some advice on getting a higher grade.