Specification points
Edexcel AS Religious Studies 8RS0
310 points in 4 topics, with Edexcel's codes and titles.
Codes and titles are read by a script from Edexcel's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: Edexcel’s specification.
1 Philosophy of Religion
- 1.1 Philosophical issues and questions
- 1.1.1 Design Argument
- 1.1.1a Inductive reasoning, a posteriori types of arguments, interpretation of experience
- 1.1.1b Types of order and regularity in the design argument
- 1.1.1c Strengths and weaknesses of Design Arguments
- 1.1.1d Philosophical language and key thinkers
- 1.1.2 Cosmological Argument
- 1.1.2a Inductive reasoning, a posteriori types of arguments
- 1.1.2b Features of the cosmological argument
- 1.1.2c Strengths and weaknesses of Cosmological Arguments
- 1.1.2d Philosophical language and key thinkers
- 1.1.3 Ontological Argument
- 1.1.3a A priori reasoning in the ontological argument
- 1.1.3b Definitions of ‘God’, necessary existence, aseity
- 1.1.3c Strengths and weaknesses of the Ontological Arguments
- 1.1.3d Philosophical language and key thinkers
- 1.2 The nature and influence of religious experience
- 1.2.1 The nature of religious experience
- 1.2.1a Religious experience across traditions
- 1.2.1b Types
- 1.2.1c Alternative explanations, physiological and naturalistic interpretations, objectivist and subjectivist views
- 1.2.2 Influence of religious experience as an argument for the existence of God
- 1.2.2a Inductive reasoning from religious experience
- 1.2.2b Strengths and weaknesses of arguments from religious experience
- 1.3 Problems of evil and suffering
- 1.3.1 Problem of evil and suffering
- 1.3.2 Theodicies and solutions to the problem of suffering
- 1.3.2a The Augustinian theodicy
- 1.3.2b The Irenaean theodicy
- 1.3.2c Process theodicy
- 1.3.2d Strengths and weaknesses of theodicies and solutions
2 Religion and Ethics
- 2.1 Significant concepts in issues or debates in religion and ethics
- 2.1.1 Environmental issues
- 2.1.1a Stewardship and conservation
- 2.1.1b Debates on environmental ethics
- 2.1.2 Equality
- 2.1.2a Ethical and religious concepts of equality
- 2.1.2b Debates on equality
- 2.2 A study of three ethical theories
- 2.2.1 Utilitarianism
- 2.2.1a Concepts and origins of utilitarianism
- 2.2.1b Strengths and weaknesses of utilitarianism
- 2.2.2 Situation Ethics
- 2.2.2a The ‘new morality’ of the mid-20th century
- 2.2.2b Strengths and weaknesses of utilitarianism
- 2.2.3 Natural Moral Law
- 2.2.3a Absolutism and natural moral law
- 2.2.3b Strengths and weaknesses of utilitarianism
- 2.3 Application of ethical theories to issues of importance
- 2.3.1 War and peace
- 2.3.1a Religion, war and peace
- 2.3.1b Pacifism
- 2.3.2 Sexual Ethics
- 2.3.2a Religion and sexual ethics
- 2.3.2b Relevance of religious teaching on sexual ethics
3 New Testament Studies
- 3.1 Social, historical and religious context of the New Testament
- 3.1.1 Prophecy regarding the Messiah
- 3.1.1a Messianic expectations: suffering servant and line of David
- 3.1.1b Messianic expectations in New Testament texts
- 3.1.2 The first-century world and the life of Jesus
- 3.1.2a Religious groups in Palestine
- 3.1.2b Hellenism
- 3.1.2c Roman occupation
- 3.1.2d Influences on life in first-century Palestine
- 3.2 Texts and interpretation of the Person of Jesus
- 3.2.1 The Prologue in John
- 3.2.1a Meaning and theology of the prologue in John
- 3.2.1b Judaism, Hellenism and John's gospel
- 3.2.1c Understandings of Jesus and codes for living
- 3.2.2 Titles of Jesus and 'I am' sayings
- 3.2.2a Meaning of Messiah, Son of God and Son of Man
- 3.2.2b Background and context of the titles of Jesus
- 3.2.2c Understandings of Jesus and codes for living
- 3.2.3 Miracles and signs
- 3.2.3a The meaning and significance of the signs in the Fourth Gospel
- 3.2.3b Signs and the identity of Jesus
- 3.2.3c Understandings of Jesus and religious laws
- 3.3 Interpreting the text and issues of relationship, purpose and authorship
- 3.3.1 Interpreting the text
- 3.3.1a The synoptic problem and gospel criticism
- 3.3.1b Units of tradition and transmission of texts
- 3.3.1c The significance of this for understanding the texts
- 3.3.2 The purpose and authorship of the Fourth Gospel
- 3.3.2a Purposes and authorship of the gospel
- 3.3.2b Evaluating views on the gospel's purpose and authorship
4 Study of Religion
- 4A Buddhism
- 4A.1 Religious beliefs, values and teachings
- 4A.1.1 The Four Noble Truths
- 4A.1.1a The Three Poisons
- 4A.1.1b Teaching on suffering and craving
- 4A.1.1c The Eightfold Path
- 4A.1.2 Three marks and five khandas in Theravada and Mahayana
- 4A.1.2a The three marks of existence
- 4A.1.2b The Five khandas in Theravada; death and the afterlife
- 4A.1.3 The three refuges
- 4A.1.3a The refuges as a place of refuge
- 4A.1.3b The interrelationship between these three refuges
- 4A.1.3c Interpretations of the sangha and the Buddha
- 4A.1.3d The implications of the refuges for worship and daily life
- 4A.1.4 Key Moral Principles
- 4A.1.4a The Five Precepts
- 4A.1.4b Theravada and Mahayana understandings
- 4A.2 Sources of wisdom and authority
- 4A.2.1 Life and work of the Buddha
- 4A.2.1a Key events in the Buddha's life
- 4A.2.1b Religious groupings of the Buddha's time
- 4A.2.1c Social and religious context of the Buddha's time
- 4A.2.2 The significance, interpretation, use and treatment of the Tipitaka
- 4A.2.2a Status and formation of the Tipitaka
- 4A.2.2b Sections of the Tipitaka
- 4A.2.2c Significance of the Tipitaka
- 4A.3 Practices that shape and express religious identity
- 4A.3.1 Theravada Buddhism
- 4A.3.1a Its significance as the only surviving form of Nikaya Buddhism
- 4A.3.1b Rejection of the idea of the Three Vehicles
- 4A.3.1c Centrality of the Buddha in Theravada
- 4A.3.1d Nibbana, parinibbana and renunciation
- 4A.3.1e Distinctive teachings of Theravada
- 4A.3.2 Mahayana Buddhism
- 4A.3.2a Development and context of Mahayana
- 4A.3.2b The trikaya doctrine
- 4A.3.2c Buddha nature
- 4A.3.3 Types and purposes of meditation
- 4A.3.3a The different types of meditation in Buddhism
- 4A.3.3b Meditation and the Noble Eightfold Path
- 4A.3.3c Dhyana, samatha and vipassana
- 4A.3.3d Purposes of meditation
- 4B Christianity
- 4B.1 Religious beliefs, values and teachings
- 4B.1.1 The nature of God as personal and as Creator
- 4B.1.1a Christian beliefs about God and creation
- 4B.1.1b Teachings about God and the meaning of life
- 4B.1.1c Interpretations of teachings about God
- 4B.1.2 The Trinity
- 4B.1.2a Biblical basis for ideas about the Trinity
- 4B.1.2b Notions of relation and analogy to understand the Trinity
- 4B.1.2c Modern views on the Trinity
- 4B.1.3 The nature of the Church
- 4B.1.3a Key concepts of unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity
- 4B.1.3b Interpretations and challenges
- 4B.1.4 Key moral principles
- 4B.1.4a Love as the principal Christian value
- 4B.1.4b God's love in creation, incarnation and Trinity
- 4B.1.4c The relationship of all Christian values with the key principle of love
- 4B.2 Sources of wisdom and authority
- 4B.2.1 The Bible
- 4B.2.1a The Bible as a source of authority
- 4B.2.1b Revealed and natural theology
- 4B.2.1c Strengths and weaknesses of various models of interpretation of the text
- 4B.2.2 Nature and role of Jesus
- 4B.2.2a Arianism and the Chalcedonian definition
- 4B.2.2b Reformation views on salvation
- 4B.2.2c Modern views on God's suffering in Jesus
- 4B.3 Practices that shape and express religious identity
- 4B.3.1 The diversity of practice in the Eucharist
- 4B.3.1a Sacraments and the Eucharist
- 4B.3.1b Key ideas, including sacrament, grace, transubstantiation and transignification, Real Presence, memorial
- 4B.3.1c Experience of the Eucharist
- 4B.3.2 The diversity of practice in creative expressions of religious identity
- 4B.3.2a Nativity and crucifixion in Christian art
- 4B.3.2b The role of music in Christian worship in a variety of denominations
- 4B.3.2c Prayer in private and public devotion
- 4B.3.2d Significance of creative expressions
- 4C Hinduism
- 4C.1 Religious beliefs, values and teachings
- 4C.1.1 Beliefs
- 4C.1.1a Sanatana Dharma and rta
- 4C.1.1b Karma and eternal order
- 4C.1.1c Samsara and moksha
- 4C.1.2 Beliefs about Brahman and also avatars as God in human form
- 4C.1.2a Brahman
- 4C.1.2b Krishna
- 4C.1.2c Rama
- 4C.1.2d Shakti
- 4C.1.2e Vishnu and avatars
- 4C.1.3 Key moral principles
- 4C.1.3a The underlying principles of dharma (duty), karma (deeds) and ahimsa (non-violence)
- 4C.1.3b Values linked with the ashramas
- 4C.1.3c Virtues and qualities associated with the gunas
- 4C.2 Sources of wisdom and authority
- 4C.2.1 Emergence of Hindu traditions
- 4C.2.1a The Indus Valley culture
- 4C.2.1b Role of sacrifices and Agni, worship of Indra and role of soma
- 4C.2.1c Points for discussion
- 4C.2.2 Sources of wisdom and authority
- 4C.2.2a Shruti and smriti compared
- 4C.2.2b The Vedas and Upanishads
- 4C.2.2c Smriti texts
- 4C.2.3 Points for discussion
- 4C.2.3a Breadth of Hindu scriptures
- 4C.2.3b Relative authority of scriptures
- 4C.3 Practices that shape and express religious identity
- 4C.3.1 Sanatana dharma with links and differences to varnashrama-dharma
- 4C.3.1a Varna, ashrama and dharma
- 4C.3.1b Ways in which the rules of varnashrama-dharma are transformed by bhakti
- 4C.3.1c Varna and jati
- 4C.3.1d Role of the community of believers
- 4C.3.1e Beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life
- 4C.3.2 Yoga: meanings and main types
- 4C.3.2a Karma yoga
- 4C.3.2b Jnana yoga
- 4C.3.2c Bhakti yoga
- 4C.3.2d Hatha yoga
- 4C.3.3 Points for discussion about yoga
- 4C.3.3a Key beliefs across yogic traditions
- 4C.3.3b Views about different purposes and diverse significance across different traditions
- 4C.3.3c Implications for practice of Hinduism across different cultures
- 4D Islam
- 4D.1 Religious beliefs, values and teachings
- 4D.1.1 The interpretation and application of the Six Beliefs
- 4D.1.1a The beliefs as the basis of Islam and their interconnections
- 4D.1.1b Centrality of beliefs in forms of Islam
- 4D.1.1c Key concepts and interpretations of Islamic beliefs
- 4D.1.1d Nature of Allah, tawhid and adalat
- 4D.2 Sources of wisdom and authority
- 4D.2.1 Life and work of the Prophet Muhammad
- 4D.2.1a Key events in Muhammad's life
- 4D.2.1b Religious context of pre-Islamic Arabia
- 4D.2.1c Political and economic factors, social groupings and changes
- 4D.2.1d Literature, including poetry
- 4D.2.1e Significance of background factors
- 4D.2.1f Revelations, hijrah and theocracy
- 4D.2.1g Muhammad as final messenger
- 4D.2.2 Muhammad's life and sayings as a basis for living
- 4D.2.2a The Hadith and Sunnah, their compilation and authority
- 4D.2.2b The significance and implications of the Hadith and Sunnah for Muslim living
- 4D.2.3 The interpretation, significance, treatment and use of the Qur’an
- 4D.2.3a Status and revelation of the Qur'an
- 4D.2.3b The Qur'an as a source of authority
- 4D.2.3c Qur'an, Hadith and Shari'ah
- 4D.3 Practices that shape and express religious identity
- 4D.3.1 The five pillars of Islam
- 4D.3.1a Worship and spirituality in forms of Islam
- 4D.3.1b Meaning of the individual pillars
- 4D.3.1c Similarities and diversity of practice, emphasis and interpretation in Islam
- 4D.3.1d Intention and action
- 4D.3.2 The ummah
- 4D.3.2a Development of the ummah
- 4D.3.2b The ummah in contemporary society
- 4D.3.2c Similarities and contrasts of emphasis and interpretation in Islam
- 4E Judaism
- 4E.1 Religious beliefs, values and teachings
- 4E.1.1 Ethical monotheism
- 4E.1.1a God as creator and sustainer
- 4E.1.1b Obligations between people and obligations between humans and God
- 4E.1.1c Interpretations across Jewish traditions
- 4E.1.2 Revelation in the Torah and Talmud
- 4E.1.2a The chosen people
- 4E.1.2b Revelation and Jewish identity
- 4E.1.2c Status of Moses and the Ten Commandments, status of different covenants
- 4E.1.3 Beliefs about life and death
- 4E.1.3a The nature of the soul
- 4E.1.3b Life after death; spiritual and physical resurrection, judgment, heaven and She’ol/Gehenna (hell)
- 4E.1.3c Jewish thought on the meaning and purpose of life
- 4E.1.4 Values
- 4E.1.4a Revelation, Torah and values in every aspect of life
- 4E.1.4b Jewish values and universal values
- 4E.1.4c God's qualities and moral values
- 4E.2 Sources of wisdom and authority
- 4E.2.1 Tenakh, Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim
- 4E.2.1a Authority of the Torah
- 4E.2.1b Use of sources in study and worship
- 4E.2.2 The development of Rabbinic Judaism
- 4E.2.2a Rashi's commentary
- 4E.2.2b Judah Halevi
- 4E.2.2c Context and authority of key commentators
- 4E.3 Practices that shape and express religious identity
- 4E.3.1 Orthodox
- 4E.3.1a Orthodox Judaism
- 4E.3.1b Revelation and theology in Orthodoxy
- 4E.3.1c Place of the Temple; distinctive practices in synagogues and daily religious observances
- 4E.3.2 Reform
- 4E.3.2a Reform Judaism
- 4E.3.2b Influence of Haskalah (enlightenment and rationalism)
- 4E.3.2c Types of Reform Judaism
- 4F Sikhism
- 4F.1 Religious beliefs, values and teachings
- 4F.1.1 Sikhs and the divine
- 4F.1.1a Nature and existence of Waheguru
- 4F.1.1b Sikh ideas compared with Indic thought
- 4F.1.2 The importance of sangat
- 4F.1.2a Development of the Panth under the Gurus
- 4F.1.2b The Panth as nation and Guru
- 4F.1.2c Sangat today
- 4F.1.3 Key moral principles and values
- 4F.1.3a Nam japna, kirt karna and vand chakna
- 4F.1.3b The key principle of seva (service to Waheguru and to others)
- 4F.1.3c Miri-piri and the warrior tradition
- 4F.1.3d Sikh values as expressions of the quality of manmukh
- 4F.2 Sources of wisdom and authority
- 4F.2.1 The nature, role and status of the Guru Granth Sahib
- 4F.2.1a Role in worship and ceremony, its theological and legal status
- 4F.2.1b Compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib
- 4F.2.1c Secondary Sikh texts
- 4F.2.2 The lives of the ten Gurus as teachers and exemplars for Sikhs
- 4F.2.2a Lives and martyrdoms of the Gurus
- 4F.2.2b Teachings of the Gurus
- 4F.2.2c Succession of the Gurus
- 4F.2.2d The role of sants in contemporary Sikh life
- 4F.3 Practices that shape and express religious identity
- 4F.3.1 Sikh identity and the Singh Sabha movement
- 4F.3.1a Rehat Maryada, Anand Marriage Act and Gurdwara reform
- 4F.3.1b Impact of standardising Sikh practice
- 4F.3.2 Perspectives on Khalsa initiation and nam simaran
- 4F.3.2a Khalsa initiation and the 5 Ks
- 4F.3.2b Nam simaran and meditation