Religious Education: Unit 3 Area of Study 1: Responding to the search for meaning

Responding to the search for meaning

In this area of study students are introduced to the nature and purpose of religion in the human search for meaning.

This is a general study of religion. Students are introduced to the purpose of religion in societies in which multiple worldviews coexist through the study in detail of a range of beliefs of one or more than one religious tradition or denomination. Beliefs are ideas that answer the big questions of life according to a religious worldview. In this area of study students relate the beliefs to certain categories and explore the connection of the beliefs to each other.

On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss and analyse the nature and purpose of religion and religious beliefs.

To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 1.

U3 AOS1: Key knowledge

• the aspects of religion
• the purpose of religion in the search for meaning
• the nature of religious beliefs and their role in responding to the search for meaning
• for one or more than one religious tradition or denomination, a range of religious beliefs related to:
  – ultimate reality
  – the nature and purpose of human life
  – the meaning of suffering
  – death and the afterlife
  – the relationship between ultimate reality and humanity
  – the relationship between humans
  – the relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world
• the connections between these beliefs.

U3 AOS1: Key skills

• identify the aspects of religion
• explain the purposes of religion
• explain religious beliefs and their role in the search for meaning
• analyse connections between religious beliefs
• interpret, synthesise and apply primary and secondary source material.