Shelley College: Moral Philosophy and Ethics

Head of Department: Mr A Taylor

In the Moral Philosophy and Ethics Department our aims are not only to teach young people about religion but also about the world in which they are growing up and how they can find their place in the world.

Moral Philosophy and Ethics helps students develop important skills and abilities:

• Analytical thinking.
• Research skills.
• Critical judgement.
• An ability to 'understand both sides' and negotiate and resolve conflict.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Leadership skills.
• Understanding of the impact of conflicting views.
• Understanding human diversity.

These skills are particularly useful for future careers in law, education, social work, politics, medicine, administration or the media.

A GCSE in Moral Philosophy and Ethics will enable you to gain a qualification in a subject you will have been studying for most of your school life and build on the foundation that this study has provided.

We hope that you find this website useful in your studies. You will find a variety of resources for students taking examinations in Moral Philosophy and Ethics to assist you in your preparation for your examinations.

Courses Offered
We intend that all students will leave Shelley College with at least the equivalent of one GCSE in Moral Philosophy and Ethics (MPE).

Key Stage 3
Course Content:
Our World: What makes us human, Why are we here, Religious teachings about the place and humankind in this world, How did the universe begin and Why should we care for the world?.
Looking for Meaning: What is god like, The nature of God, Symbolism and imagery, Why do some people believe in God and some do not?, How do people experience God?, How do pe ople respond to God through worship, What is the value of religion secular society and Is that it?
Is It Fair?: What is Fair?, Why are people prejudice?, Why do people treat others differently?, Social responsibility and the media and What do we need and what do we want?
Relationships: What commitments and responsibilities do we have?, What is love?, What about sex?, Religious marriage ceremonies, What about family, Happily ever after? and Where should marriage take place.

Key Stage 4
Course Content:
Religion and Conflict: Peace, Religious teachings about peace, How can good relationships be developed?, Conflict and war, What do religious teach about conflict and war?, can a war be 'just'?, Attitudes to non-violent protests, Individuals or communities working for peace, How can different religions support peace by talking to each other?, How important is forgiveness?, The nature of suffering, Religious teachings on suffering and Support for those suffering.
Religion and Medicine: Why is life so special?, The sanctity of life, Medical and ethical decisions? Scientific achievements? How does religion help or hinder people making decisions, Should people have a free will to make life/death decisions? How do doctors make ethical decisions?, Whose choice is it? Abortion, Euthanasia, Is it right to end someone's life? and IVF (In-vitro fertilisation).
Religious Expression: Ways faiths can be expressed, How can beliefs drive actions?, Expressing faith through what is worn, Why worship in special buildings?, Symbolism in places of worship, What makes a journey special?, Attitudes of pilgrimage and Sharing faith with others.
Authority - Religion and State: Why should we obey authority, Duty, Religious teachings about duty, Aims and purposes of punishment, Capital Punishment, Religious attitudes to punishments, The role of sacred texts, What happens when authorities clash?, What happens if the authority is wrong? and Working for human rights.

GCSE Citizenship
Course Contents:
Control Assessment - 60% of final mark
How can I make a difference?
Four themes with one pre-released and 40% of final mark:
Theme 1: Community Action and Active Citizenship: What factors make up for effective 'active citizenship'?, Who can make a difference?, How and what are Citizenship issues relevant in the workplace?.
Theme 2: Being a citizen in the UK: Democracy and Identity: What are the roles of Parliament and Government?, How can citizens participate in democratic processes, particularly elections and voting?, The origins and implications of the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the UK and the need for mutual respect and understanding, How ethnic identity, religion and culture affect community life? How can individuals, schools and communities, promote equal opportunities and community cohesion?
Theme 3: Fairness and Justice: What are my rights and responsibilities as a British citizen within a broader framework of human rights?, How are citizens' lives affected by law, How effective is the criminal justice system? and why does the media matter and how influential is it?
Theme 4: Global issues and Making a Difference: How effective are the key international bodies in dealing with important international and global issues? International disagreements and conflict/human rights and international humanitarian law abuses, What are the challenges faced by the global community in relation to inequalities and interdependence and how might these challenges be dealt with?, What are the challenges of global interdependence and how might they be tackled?, Why should British citizens care about, or be involved in, world affairs? and How are the international issues influenced by individuals, pressure groups, voluntary groups and NGO’s the media and government (with the aid of case studies).

Key Stage5:
Unit 1 – AS  Philosophy:
Ancient Greek influences on moral philosophy.
Judaeo-Christian influences on moral philosophy.
Traditional arguments for the existence of God.
Challenges to religious belief.

Unit 2 - AS Ethics:
Ethical Theories of Natural Law, Utilitarianism, Moral Relativism and Immanuel Kant.
The application of these theories to common ethical dilemmas in medicine, for example IVF and euthanasia.

Unit 3 – A2 Philosophy:
Religious Language.
Experience and religion.
Nature of God.
Life and death.
Miracles.

Unit 4 – A2 Ethics:
The ethical theories of Virtue Ethics and Meta-Ethics.
Freewill and determinism.
The nature & role of the conscience.
Practical &  Applied Ethics incl. Environmental Ethics.
Sex and Relationships, War, peace & justice.