Religious Studies - AS
About this course
The Religious Studies AS programme is a one-year course of study and should be taken in conjunction with two or three other subjects and the Welsh Baccalaureate.
Based at our City Centre campus in Cardiff, learners may be able to take this qualification as a part-time student.
All topics on this programme are studied from a reflective and philosophical perspective, and students must be prepared to explore, debate and discuss a range of beliefs and issues.
Aims of the course:
No prior knowledge of the subject is required, with aims being to:
- Develop an interest and enthusiasm for the study of religion and its impact upon society
- Treat the subject as an academic discipline
- Encourage enquiry into the nature of religion through debate, discussion and extensive reading
What you will study
During the course the following areas will be covered:
Unit 1: An Introduction to the Study of Christianity
Students will explore the:
- Birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ
- Bible as a source of wisdom and authority.
- Nature of God and the Trinity
- Theories of atonement
- Roles of faith and works
- Believers and the church
- Key moral principles.
- Identity through baptism
- Eucharist, Christmas and Easter
Unit 2: Introduction to the Ethics and Philosophy of Religion
Exploring the Philosophy of Religion
- The cosmological, teleological and inductive arguments concerning the (non-) existence of God
- The origins, developments and challenges to the ontological argument for God
- The problem of evil and religious responses to it
- Religious experiences; mystical; challenging religious experiences
Exploring the Ethics of Religion
- Ethical Thought through the Divine Command Theory, Virtue Theory and Ethical Egoism
- Aquinas’ Natural Law and its application to Abortion and Euthanasia
- Situation Ethics and its application to homosexual and polyamorous relationships
- Utilitarianism and its application to animal experimentation and nuclear weapons
Entry requirements
Individual Subject Entry Requirement English Language minimum: B
Teaching and assessment
Two written exams
Important points
- The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
- Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
- Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
- Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
- Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
- All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
- Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
- Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.
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CAVC is a great place to study A Levels – the teachers, the support, the facilities and social experience has been so good – I’m delighted to have gained all A’s in my AS exams. The support to apply and prepare for university is brilliant and I’m looking forward to progressing after college.
Career prospects & further study
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On completion of the A Level programme, the majority of our students progress onto universities across the country and beyond. Based on this course, there are many options but below are just a few examples of degree programmes you could go on to study at University:
- Classical Civilisation
- Geography
- History
- Law
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Theology