Year 9 Resources
The Nature of Religion
This is a short unit to enable pupils to understand the study of religion. We begin by looking at the difference between the primary impulse to be religious (laying flowers on a person’s grave) and secondary religion (formal religion). Pupils then examine and evaluate Smart’s Seven Dimensions of religion and use these in their assessment (see below). Most of these dimensions have been explored in Year 8 through the thematic units of Festivals, Rites of Passage and Places of Worship. They are also given an outline of many of the world’s religions and facts about these.
Pupils are assessed by creating their own religion as though they had visited an alien planet. They use Smart’s dimensions to write a report on their findings.
Prayer and Worship
During this unit pupils consider the similarities and differences between the how members from different faiths pray and worship. They study Muslim prayer and the difference between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Pupils are assessed by writing a letter to the headmaster from the parents of a Muslim pupil, in order to have a room set aside for prayer.
Ethics
Pupils follow a short unit debating ethical questions and considering their values.
Pupils are assessed by writing a letter to the chairman of the committee of a hospital, giving their order in which they believe five people should receive vital treatment. In their evaluation of the situation they should clearly state their criteria.
A pupil who enjoys doing this unit should consider doing Philosophy and Ethics at A/S in Year 10.
Citizenship
This unit examines the concepts of identity, global citizenship, a multi-cultural society and evaluates the benefits and problems of being in a global community. During this unit pupils are encouraged to research independently.
Pupils are assessed by producing a leaflet about the global community and its benefits and problems. They research a global issue of their choice and outline what they have discovered and consider how the global community could help.
A pupil who enjoys doing this unit should consider doing Philosophy and Ethics at A/S in Year 10.
God and Humanity
This unit examines the relationship between God and Humanity. Pupils discuss Ultimate Questions of meaning, such as “what happens to us after we die?” and “is there a God?”. They study the design argument for God’s existence and the problem of suffering for believers. They analyze religious experiences and gain a basis in epistemology (what we can know).
Pupils are assessed by producing a description of the design argument and its flaws.
A pupil who enjoys doing this unit should consider doing Philosophy and Ethics at A/S in Year 10.
Buddhism
During this unit, we aim to give students a grounding in the religion of Buddhism. They learn about the life of the Buddha, his teachings, including the Three Universal Truths, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, before studying the 14th Dalai Lama and the conflict between Tibet and China.
