A Level Digest February 2022
A good book: Misreading scripture with Western eyes by E Randolph Richards and Brandon J O’Brien
This book was recommended to me on Twitter. If you are using textual references from the bible or teaching Christianity, I think this is a really good read. It makes you aware of the need for hermeneutics; in particular, how your own worldview or ways of seeing the world (drawn from your own cultural background) influence how you interpret any text. It was a joy to read and is very accessible. Indeed, I have already leant this book to two students who want to study the subject at University and both read it with ease. Having read the book, I think:
- This is a very accessible read for A level students and teachers a like.
- It links nicely to those of you who are teaching Christianity.
- It is very useful if you are looking at passages from the bible in the A level and the GCSE as it reminds us that we need to be aware of context and our own lack of neutrality.
- It is useful for those wishing to read Theology, Religious Studies and its related disciplines at university.
Interesting research: Humanism- Good without God, Matthew Engelke
Previously in the A level digest I mentioned a book by Edith Hall entitled Aristotle’s way. This book shows how this philosopher can still be seen to be relevant as a secular theory of ethics for the modern age. The piece of research that I am highlighting, ‘Humanism, Good without God’ links nicely to this book and also for those of you who are teaching Utilitarianism. It shows how for the Humanists the author worked with, the pursuit of happiness is considered to be the highest good. There is also a discussion on how this group believed Christianity offered no answers to how to live a meaningful life, as they considered this institutional religious worldview to be irrational (something that is definitely worth evaluating in your lessons). For further information on the summary of the piece and for the research itself, follow this link: Humanism – good without God – RE:ONLINE (reonline.org.uk)
A good course: Introducing the Philosophy of Religion, Open Learn (Open University)
Are you new to the teaching of the Philosophy of Religion or would you like to refresh your knowledge in this area? Do you have a keen student who would like to learn more? If so, this free course is for you. The course can be completed in your own time at your own pace. There is additional reading and further research to deepen your knowledge. It is set out in an easy manner that is very clear and accessible. Whilst you are there, you could also complete some of the other free courses connected to the areas you teach. In particular, I would recommend the one on Religious Diversity: Re-thinking religion.
To sign up to the course follow this link: Introducing the philosophy of religion – OpenLearn – Open University
A good watch: A history of Ideas, BBC radio 4
On this site there are an amazing set of short clips which explore some of the big questions we look at in the A level. For example, there are clips on Hume and miracles, Aristotle and flourishing, the Big Bang and John Stuart Mill’s Harm Principle. Some of my favourites to show and discuss with students are in the ones entitled: How can I know Wrong from Right? Kant’s Axe and the Trolley Problem. All of the clips are short (around 2 minutes) and are incredibly easy to follow. The clips can be found here: BBC Radio 4 – A History of Ideas – A History of Ideas
Rachael Jackson-Royal is head of department of RE and is the exams and higher education officer on the NATRE executive.