Revision Guide – Philosophy & Ethics

THIS REVISION GUIDE IS FOR CURRENT YEAR 11’S, THE SPECIFICATION WILL CHANGE FOR YEAR 10

SUBJECT: Philosophy & Ethics: Religious Studies A
EXAM BOARD AND CODE: AQA 8062
NUMBER OF PAPERS: 2
LENGTH OF PAPERS: 105 minutes per paper
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: Black pen (and spare)
WEBSITE LINK: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/rs/specifications/AQA-8062-SP-2016.PDF

Topics to be revised

Paper 1: The study of religions

Christian Beliefs and Teaching

• The nature of God
• Beliefs about creation
• Beliefs about the afterlife
• Beliefs about Jesus and Salvation

Christian Practices

• Different forms of worship
• Prayer
• Sacraments
• Pilgrimage and celebrations
• The role of the Church in the local community
• The place of mission, evangelism and Church growth
• The importance of the worldwide Church

Buddhist key beliefs

• The Dhamma
• Dependent arising
• The Three Marks of Existence
• Buddha’s Life
• The Four Noble Truths
• Theravada and Mahayana traditions

Buddhist Practices

• Buddhist places of worship
• Puja
• Meditation
• Death and mourning
• Festivals and retreats
• Ethical teaching
• The five moral precepts
• The six perfections

Paper 2: Thematic Studies

Theme A: Relationship and Families

• Sexuality
• Sex before and outside marriage
• Contraception
• Marriage and divorce
• The nature and purpose of families
• Gender Equality

Theme B: Religion and Life

• The origins of the universe and human life
• The value of the world and the environment
• Animal rights including experimentation and meat eating
• Abortion and euthanasia
• Death and the afterlife

Theme D: Peace and Conflict

• Protest and terrorism
• Reason for war
• Nuclear Weapons
• Just War and Holy War theories
• Pacifism
• Victims of War

Theme E: Crime and Punishment

• Good and evil intentions
• Reasons for crime
• Attitude to lawbreakers and treatment of criminals
• Aims of punishment
• Attitudes to suffering
• Forgiveness
• Death penalty

Revision Tips

Remember that your Philosophy and Ethics textbook is an excellent source of revision. Read through each chapter carefully and test your knowledge by answering the questions at the end of each topic. Look at the advice on exam technique given by examiners which can also be found at the end of each section.
You can also use the notes in your exercise books for further reference and use this to put together detailed revision notes for the mock exam that can also be used for the summer exam.
Be sure that you know the following for each topic in preparation for the mock;

• Key concepts / specialist terminology
• Religious teaching that can be learnt and referred to (particularly in the 5 and 12 mark questions)
• Differences in the approach taken by religions or the denominations of a religion

Exam Hints

Use the recommended structure for the 12 mark questions: 3 paragraphs; arguments FOR the statement, arguments AGAINST the statement and then your conclusion at the end. Structure these clearly and take your time before answering them. Have a plan in mind before embarking upon your answer.

Download a printable version here