 |
 |
"Great teachers, great friends, and great challenges." |
Manoj Badale, Co-founder of netdecisions. |
The Religious Studies Department
Religious Studies at Haberdashers’ reflects the rich diversity of culture and religion, which characterises the school population. In each year group, we aim to inform, to challenge and to encourage each boy to explore the questions of meaning and purpose, which lie at the heart of every world faith.
The two weekly RS lessons in the first three years are designed to enable each boy to acquire the appropriate vocabulary and specialist knowledge, which are needed to critically consider theological and ethical issues. A wide variety of themes and a variety of teaching strategies are employed to create a tolerant and respectful atmosphere, in which a student may feel free to express his opinions, be they those of a believer, an agnostic or an atheist.
The importance of the accurate and meaningful expression of such views is central to the AQA GCSE course, which is studied by those boys who elect to choose this as one of their examination options. In the 4th year, boys make a detailed investigation into the worship and beliefs of Buddhism and Christianity, before exploring the impact of these two traditions on a variety of questions, which are rooted in key areas of rights and responsibilities. This work is further developed in the 5th year, when the nature of spirituality and truth in the two religions is examined through a careful consideration of their response to such contemporary issues as the sanctity of life, the role of the family and attitudes towards wealth and poverty.
The three AQA AS modules studied in 6B enable boys to study the ideas connected to religious authority as derived from experience and scripture, the impact of Utilitarian and Kantian ethical theories on medical and environmental issues and the interaction of religion and science. These can be studied as a discreet AS or they can be combined with a further three A2 modules, which are followed in 6A. In these, the boys’ knowledge of ethical theory is enhanced by a detailed study of Free Will, Determinism and Virtue Ethics seen in relation to recent scientific developments, as well as business ethics. The Philosophy of Religion module not only considers the classical arguments for the existence of God but it also allows for a compelling investigation into the problem of evil. The final synoptic module draws from this rich diversity, by facilitating a comprehensive study of those beliefs, which are connected to Life, Death and Beyond.
The department also offers several options in PSRE and General Studies.