Thursday 9 September 2010
The course aims cover three specific areas that are designed to help the pupils live effectively in our diverse world by:
• To know and understand different beliefs and cultures
• To recognise the spiritual aspects to life
• To respond to moral dilemmas
• To be open to receive new information from others
• To evaluate the responses of others to ultimate questions
• To think about what it means to be human
• To have a sense of wonder at the universe
• To have a spirit of enquiry regarding our place in it
• To reflect on different responses to ultimate questions
This subject has a great deal to offer to fit in with the four capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence national programme, where pupils should become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Cross-curricular work is undertaken between PSE and RMPS in Upper 1 and III when pupils take part in Learning for Life and Youth Philanthropy Initiative. Links have also been made with English and Geography.
All pupils in Upper I, II, III and IV undertake Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies as part of their core curriculum on a weekly basis. The course includes areas of study from World Religions, Christianity and Beliefs and Values, as recommended by the RME National Guidelines and fitting in with Curriculum for Excellence.
All pupils in Upper III have the opportunity to complete a unit at Intermediate 1 or 2 level on the World Religion of Buddhism. All pupils in Upper IV will study a unit from the Morality in the Modern world section at a similar level on Medical Ethics – Use of embryos and Euthanasia.
This year half of Upper V pupils have chosen to study an introductory Philosophy unit, Critical Thinking, which will stand them in good stead for a variety of subjects. The other half of the year group will have the chance to discuss various topical issues during the year.
Upper VI will have two short blocks within the Civics programme. In the past this has included a visit to the mosque and also to the Fair Trade Shop to learn more about global issues relating to the subject. In Upper VI pupils have the option of studying Higher Philosophy.