Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS)

Staff

Mrs L Barrow (Faculty Head)

Mr L Brown 

Mrs K Williams (Head of House Lewis)

Mrs L Logan 

Why study RMPS?

The purpose of this course is to develop knowledge and understanding of religious, moral and philosophical issues and how these relate to personal or practical context. It will explore the questions they raise and the solutions or approaches they offer. Learners will have the opportunity to critically reflect on these and on their own experiences and views. Religious and non-religious perspectives will be included.

Units of work cover key themes of the subject area, requiring learners to study a world religion in detail, understand a range of philosophical and religious approaches to morality, and key aspects of contemporary religious debate. Good literacy skills are important in order to progress in this subject.

S1

Humanities Unit

Pupils work on an integrated unit for the first six weeks in Humanities. They will cover one unit that includes the four Humanities subjects: Geography, History, Modern Studies and RMPS.

 Our unit is called Hillview – an imaginary town. The unit is split into 4 blocks where we will look at: 

• How settlements like Hillview are formed and change over time
• Different kinds of power the town could use, focusing on their benefits/problems
• The impact of changes within the town on families living there
• A case study of a crime within the town

 

Who are you? 

In S1 RMPS, pupils explore the big question “Who are you?” and consider what makes us human. They investigate a range of religious and non-religious world views, including beliefs about the self, the soul, life after death and how our beliefs can influence the way we live.

Pupils develop their philosophical thinking by exploring big questions, taking part in discussions and learning to give reasons for their own views while respecting different perspectives.

The unit also explores Artificial Intelligence and its impact on society, considering questions such as whether an AI could be a person and what it means to be human.

Throughout the unit, pupils develop skills in knowledge, analysis and evaluation, learning to explain different viewpoints, use evidence, justify their own opinions and engage respectfully with challenging ideas.

 

S2

World Religion - Islam

Islam is the second largest religion in the world today, with over 1.4 billion followers. It is the second largest in Scotland. Islam is also one of the most misunderstood faiths of this world.

This unit offers a great insight into the beliefs and values of Islam. Pupils examine how Muslims practice their faith and how this links to their beliefs about Allah(God). The importance of the Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) and The Holy Qur’an are studied.

The Scottish Curriculum for Excellence states that the challenge of religions to our society are to be explored. Through Islam the social issue of alcohol is explored.

One of the most pressing problems facing our society is the exponential rise in Islamophobia and hate crime. This unit examines how the media’s portrayal of global events and terrorism can distort non-Muslims’ views of the religion. This unit tries to remedy this and to help pupils see that they themselves can play an active role in combating this potentially divisive problem.

Morality and Philosophical Questions

In S2 RMPS, pupils explore a range of moral issues and philosophical questions through a series of engaging course tasters. Topics include Capital Punishment, Animal Ethics and Life After Death, giving pupils the opportunity to explore different issues, consider challenging questions and develop their own views.

Pupils investigate how religious and non-religious world views respond to these issues, comparing different beliefs, arguments and perspectives. They consider questions such as whether the death penalty can ever be justified, how we should treat animals and what might happen after death.

The course is designed to build important RMPS skills, including knowledge and understanding, analysis, evaluation, discussion and expressing a reasoned opinion. Pupils learn to consider different perspectives, apply religious and non-religious responses to moral questions and support their own views with reasons.

The course provides a foundation for pupils to approach more complex ethical and philosophical issues as they progress through RMPS.

 S3/4 Core

Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies 

All pupils in S3 and S4 have one period of RMPS per week. RMPS plays an important role in the development of key skills and in gaining a better understanding of the world we live in. It is part of the preparation of young people for life. Employers recognise that skills gained in RMPS are highly transferable.

RMPS has many aims. These include:-

• to have an awareness that religion continues to play an important role in the world
• to develop an understanding of the moral issues that affect us all, to comprehend differing views points on these and to have the ability to explain your own views on these issues
• to develop an understanding of the moral issues that affect us all, to comprehend differing view points on these and to have the ability to explain your own views on these issues
• to encourage the development of philosophical thinking, the skill of giving reasoned argument and the ability to evaluate concepts
• to  foster attitudes of tolerance, justice and open-minded enquiry

S3/S4 Religion, Belief and Values Award 

The Religion, Belief and Values (RBV) Award gives pupils the opportunity to explore real-world issues, challenge their thinking and develop their own values. Most pupils will achieve a Level 5 Qualifications Scotland award on successful completion of the course.

Through the Investigating Religion and Belief unit, pupils explore important moral issues such as capital punishment, war and conflict, or the use of embryos. They consider a range of religious and non-religious perspectives, evaluate different arguments and make connections to wider ideas such as justice, human rights and the value of life.

In Values in Action, pupils reflect on their own values and how they can make a difference in their community. This often builds on their S3 Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) experience, where pupils identified a local social issue, worked with a charity and developed a business plan to compete for a £3,000 grant.

The award helps pupils become confident, thoughtful and socially responsible young people, ready to engage with challenging issues and make a positive contribution to their community.

S3

Youth and Philanthropy Initiative 

The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), delivered by The Wood Foundation, is an active citizenship programme that gives young people the opportunity to investigate issues affecting their local community, work with a charity and make a real difference. Each participating school has a £3,000 grant to award to a local charity. Pupils work in teams to research a social issue, identify a charity addressing that issue and build a case for why the charity should receive the funding. Teams then present their findings, with the winning team securing the grant for their chosen charity.

YPI provides a real-life context for the Values in Action element of the Level 5 Religion, Belief and Values Award. Rather than simply learning about values such as compassion, justice, equality, responsibility and respect, pupils have the opportunity to put these values into practice.

Pupils can:

• Identify a social issue affecting people in their local community.
• Research the issue and consider why it matters.
• Explore religious and non-religious responses to the issue.
• Research a local charity working to address the problem.
• Consider different values, such as compassion, justice, human dignity, equality and responsibility.
• Decide what action could make a difference.
• Work collaboratively to develop a presentation and make a case for their chosen charity.
• Take action by potentially directing £3,000 of funding to the charity.
• Reflect on their experience, considering what they have learned about themselves, their community, values and social responsibility.

This makes YPI particularly useful for demonstrating that values are not simply ideas or beliefs – they can influence decisions and lead to action. The Wood Foundation describes YPI as giving young people a practical opportunity to understand local issues, use their voice and support change in their communities.

Sikhism 

In S3 RMPS, pupils explore the Sikh faith, developing their understanding of its history, beliefs and practices. They learn about the Ten Gurus and the importance of Guru Nanak, as well as the role of the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru.

Pupils investigate the Gurdwara and explore what happens during Sikh worship, including prayer, readings from the Guru Granth Sahib, the importance of the Langar and the role of the Sikh community. They consider how Sikh beliefs are put into practice through everyday life and religious observance.

The course also explores key Sikh values, including equality, service, generosity, honesty and sharing. Pupils consider how these values influence the way Sikhs treat others and contribute to their communities.

Throughout the course, pupils develop their knowledge, understanding and discussion skills, learning to explain Sikh beliefs and practices and consider how religious beliefs can influence the lives and actions of believers.

National 4/5

National 4

The National 4 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Course enables learners to investigate and describe religious, moral and philosophical questions and responses, make comparisons, and develop the ability to express reasoned views.

National 5

The National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Course enables learners to investigate and explain religious, moral and philosophical questions and responses, make comparisons, and develop the ability to express detailed and reasoned views.

 

Course Content

The course is comprised of three units. These are:

Judaism 

Higher

Higher RMPS is, as the name suggests, an academic study of religion, moral issues and some of the most important philosophical questions of our time. It is not RE.
 

Entry Requirements

All students will be considered for the Higher course. National 5 RMPS is not an entry requirement. Those entering the course are expected to have achieved a good pass at National 5  in English and/or a Social Subject. They will also usually have successfully completed one of the SQA RMPS Units studied by all students in S3-4. Anyone requiring further information about entry requirements or any other part of the course structure should contact Mr Brown in the RMPS department.

 

Course Content

The course is comprised of three units. These are: 

World Religion: Buddhism

A comprehensive study of the key teachings and practices of the fourth largest of the world’s great faiths. Students examine the philosophy of Buddhism, analyse its scriptures and evaluate its place in the modern world. The study of this eastern religion/philosophy helps students to break out of western ways of thinking and to explore the way in which other religions approach existential questions.

Morality and Belief- Relationships

Students will study moral issues surrounding the areas of gender and relationships. These will include topics such as the place of marriage in society, gender inequality and discrimination, sexual relationships and LGBT+ issues. Students will be required to explain the importance of these in our society and in the wider world. Their tasks will include investigating differing moral views on these topics. These will include religious viewpoints as well as secular stances such as Utilitarianism and Feminism.

Religious and Philosophical Questions – Origins

An in depth study of the turbulent relationship between faith and science. Students examine the challenge of scientific theory to religious belief. They analyse the various responses to this challenge ranging from Richard Dawkins to the increasing growth of Literal Creationism. Students objectively evaluate the arguments given by all on issues such as Big Bang, human nature and evolution. The question of the compatibility of a scientific world view and a religious view will be discussed.

Assessment

Each unit in the course is assessed internally. Students will be tested on their knowledge and skills. The course assessment is a final exam where the student will be required to answer a series of structured questions from all three units. The final exam is worth 75% of the course. There are two papers, one of 2 hours and 15 minutes and another of 45 minutes. The assignment is worth the remaining 25%.

Assignment

All students will be required to complete an in depth study on an area of religious, moral or philosophical significance. The choice will be the student’s but must be one that they can research successfully and write a prepared essay on under exam conditions. Many students will choose to cover a moral issue such as medical ethics, war and conflict or relationships. They will need to ensure that religious and secular viewpoints are included. The essay has to conclude with a developed conclusion including their own viewpoints. The Assignment allows the student to focus on an issue of their choice at some depth and demonstrate important skills.

Methods of Study

Students will be required to develop their learning in many ways. RMPS requires some extensive study and reading of resources. Much of this must be done outside of class time. This will be in addition to regular homework tasks.

An educational trip to the Samye Ling Buddhist Centre is also a planned part of the course.

In class the skills of philosophical debate are encouraged. They enhance learning and develop broader skills.

Careers with RMPS

RMPS is recognised and respected as an entry qualification to all Scottish Universities and Colleges of Further Education. The ‘scope’ of the subject will be an advantage to those applying to study most subjects, particularly Medicine, English, Law, social subjects and other humanities. The philosophy aspects have also been seen as useful for business courses. In a recent survey of Scottish Universities all stated that they believed that RMPS is an incredibly important and valuable qualification.

For example, Dr Christopher McCorkindale, Academic Admissions Selector and lecturer in law at Strathclyde University stated:

“Not only in law but ALL university subjects one of the first qualities that we, as academics, look for in students is a capacity for critical thinking and a desire to apply that way of thinking to the world given to them. I can say with absolute certainty that not only the substantive content of RMPS and Philosophy, but in addition the development of students’ critical thinking faculties, are amongst the most desirable qualities sought by universities and by employers who constantly face new challenges – and require a dexterity of thought – in responding to an ever-changing world. “

RMPS/RME is a compulsory subject in both the Primary and Secondary sectors. Higher RMPS would be an advantage to all those considering a career in education. Harvard University has stated that Religious Literacy is increasingly crucial to a more understanding and cohesive society. Social work, medicine, nursing, law and the Armed Forces are all careers where RMPS qualifications are looked upon favourably.