The Religious & Moral Education Department

A Brief Outline of the Department

Principal Teacher of RME – Mr. S.D. Toner

For many pupils Religious Education in the Secondary School is the first occasion in which they encounter issues to which there exists no single, simple solution. This, of course, is what life is like! And this is what Religious & Moral Education at Lossiemouth High School aims to do: to challenge preconceptions and received ideas; to sharpen up and develop thinking skills as a means of acquiring a maturity of outlook which is able to accept the complexities and challenges inherent in moral issues.

S1 provides pupils with an introductory course which lays a foundation of knowledge, focusing on the principal figures and teachings of Christianity. In S2 pupils are introduced to a variety of other major world religions including Judaism, Islam & Buddhism. In S3 and S4 pupils are introduced to a range of specific moral issues including topics such as Crime & Punishment and Globalisation & International Aid. For pupils in S5 and S6 there is the demanding but stimulating option of undertaking Higher Religious Studies (RMPS).

S1 and S2 Curriculum

“Who was Jesus”? Is a question not unknown to the world of religion. It also provides the starting point for investigations in Religious Education in S1. In other words pupils discover at the outset that in the RME class the questions are frequently ones which encourage thought and a wide variety of responses rather that a single easy answer. In S1 RME pupils have the opportunity to study all aspects of Christianity and attempt to study its relevance and meaning for the twenty-first century.

In S2 the time in Religious Education is spent finding out about the key figures and teachings of the world’s other great religions. Pupils will focus on topics such as Judaism with a brief examination of the Holocaust through a study of the life of Anne Frank and also have the exciting opportunity to look at the lesser known aspects of Islam and Buddhism.

Throughout the course of study in the S1 and S2 Religious Education class pupils are continually encouraged to think for themselves, offer opinions and even contemplate the philosophical elements of religion! Homework takes the form of Written, Action and Thinking Tasks on a regular basis.

S3 and S4 Curriculum

In S3 and S4 all pupils have some contact with Religious Studies. The course followed by pupils in S3 and S4 is entitled: “Morality in the Modern World” and follows SQA specifications. The course comprises of a yearlong study of a specific area of morality. Topics range from “Crime & Punishment” in contemporary society with a particular emphasis on the rights and wrongs of Capital Punishment to a study of “Globalisation & International Aid”. In the latter course pupils are challenged to consider all aspects of the nature and cause of world poverty and the international community’s response to it. In all areas of study in S3 & S4 pupils are encouraged to think creatively and critically in the realisation that different people reach different decisions and conclusions and ultimately offer different solutions. Pupils also encounter various philosophical and religious stances as they learn about the different responses relative to their specific area of study.

All pupils are assessed on their knowledge and understanding and analysis and evaluation of the particular moral issue being studied.

Homework in S3 & S4 is given regularly in the form of a wide variety of Thinking Tasks and is an integral part of the course.

S5 and S6 Curriculum

Pupils in S5 and S6 have the opportunity to follow the full Higher RMPS course. Enthusiasm, hard work and an open mind are certainly pre-requisites! The Higher Religious Studies course follows the SQA specifications and is outlined in full below.

Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Lossiemouth High School 2008 – 2009

The Higher RMPS course consists of three units of study:

• World Religions – Buddhism

The unit World Religions is designed to allow students the opportunity to consider and develop their own understanding of a world religion. Each religion has developed from ancient teachings and philosophies but through the centuries these have been developed and interpreted in a variety of ways. Study at higher level focuses on Buddhism through its central concepts. The course is enriched by visiting speakers from the Shambala Buddhist community here in Moray as well as direct links with the Samye Ling Buddhist monastery in Eskdalemuir.

• Morality In the Modern World

In this unit students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to understand: theories about the relationship between religion and moral values; some of the guiding philosophical principles an individual might use when making moral decisions; moral issues ranging from Gender Issues and Medical Ethics to Crime and Punishment and War and Peace; religious and non-religious viewpoints on these issues are explored.

 

 

• Christianity: Belief and Science

In this unit students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to understand contemporary relationships between Christian belief and scientific theory. These relationships are explored by investigating the nature of Christian revelation and scientific enquiry. Candidates then study the answers to two important questions about human origins: What is the origin of the universe? What is the origin of human life?

 

Recommended Entry

• Standard Grade English at Grade 1 or 2

• Intermediate 2/Higher English

• By negotiation with Principal Teacher

Assessment

To gain a course award a candidate must pass all the units of the course and pass the external exam in May/June. Students will have exam practice in class time and for homework. At the start of each term each students will be given a plan for the term which will include Homework questions and NAB dates.

Homework

You will have approximately two hours of homework every week. This might be research and preparation for a lesson or practicing an assessment question on a topic you have completed. You will always be given at least three days to complete homework and usually a week to practice assessment.

Want more information?

Please contact/approach Mr.Toner directly to discuss any aspect of the above information regarding the Higher RMPS course. Mr. Toner is more than pleased to discuss any aspect of the various RME courses being offered at Lossiemouth High School.