Head of Department
Mr M Peake

This course offers pupils the opportunity to analyse and evaluate some of the most important issues facing contemporary society today, as well as providing the opportunity to offer personal responses and informed insights on these fundamental questions and issues.

Topic 1: Christian Beliefs: Christian beliefs are the foundation from which pupils will access the rest of the course. Having a solid grasp of the fundamentals of Christianity allows pupils to access further materials but also deepens their knowledge of the historical and in some cases present culture, norms and values found in Britain today. 

Topic 2: Crime and punishment. Pupils will use the information from Topic 1 to help inform their responses to issues of corporal and capital punishment, as well as the purpose of prison and the relative merits of rehabilitation and deterrence.

Topic 3: Peace and Conflict. This topic addresses the issues of Just War Theory, the doctrine of MAD and the UK’s permanent deterrent. Pupils will also look at responses to terrorism and the option of pacifism.

Topic 4: Medical Ethics. This final topic looks at the facts and the subsequent arguments around the Sanctity of Life, including abortion, euthanasia and stem-cell research.