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Why study Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies?
This course gives you the opportunity to investigate the nature and scope of religion and morality and to consider philosophical viewpoints on religious and other stances for living in the modern world. It helps you to reflect on your own life experiences and develop your personal beliefs and values. In addition you will gain knowledge and understanding of the different beliefs and values of others and the ability to express your opinions and give informed comment.
The skills you learn in this course are valuable in a wide range of careers, and provide a valuable contribution to your personal, social and intellectual development.
What do I need to get in?
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college, but you would normally be expected to have achieved:
What will I study?
This course aims to develop a wide range of important and transferable skills including investigating and expressing detailed, reasoned and well-structured views about religious, moral and philosophical topics or issues; interpreting and explaining sources related to world religions; enquiring into and evaluating contemporary moral questions and responses; and critically analysing religious and philosophical questions and responses.
The course consists of three compulsory units and the course assessment unit.
World Religion (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- interpret and comment on the meaning and context of sources related to the religion selected for study
- study the impact and significance of religion today through studying some key beliefs, practices and sources found within one of the world’s six major religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism) and the contribution these make to the lives of followers.
Morality and Belief (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- evaluate and express detailed, reasoned and well-structured views about contemporary moral questions and responses
- study contemporary moral questions and religious and non-religious responses
- study religious viewpoints from one of the world’s six major religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism).
Religious and Philosophical Questions
In this unit you will:
- critically analyse religious and philosophical questions and responses
- develop in-depth factual and theoretical knowledge and understanding of the above
- study religious viewpoints from one of the world’s six major religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism).
How will I be assessed?
Course Assessment (6 SCQF credit points)
The course assessment has two components:
- a question paper (60 marks)
- an assignment (30 marks).
The question paper will assess your skills of critical analysis and evaluation of religious, moral and philosophical questions. It wall also assess how you apply in-depth knowledge and understanding to present reasoned and well-structured views. The question paper will be set and marked by SQA.
The assignment will assess your skills, knowledge and understanding within the context of a religious, moral or philosophical topic or issue.
Your work will be assessed by your teacher on an ongoing basis throughout the course. You must pass all three units and the course assessment to gain the course qualification.
The course assessment is graded A-D. Your grade will depend on the total mark for all the units in your course.
What can I go on to next?
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
Where can my parents find out more?
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
Highers in a Nutshell - RPMS (CfE Higher)