The Aims of the Department

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Aims

The Religious Studies Department aims to celebrate the diversity of religious and cultural tradition in the school, Hong Kong and the world at large by:-

§    developing an appreciation that there are different ways of seeing the world and those in it and that these views have  intrinsic validity.
 

§    raising awareness that for many people there is a spiritual dimension to life which can  be expressed in a variety of ways.

 

§    developing understanding that people’s beliefs have a major effect upon the way they live their lives.

 

§    encouraging an empathic approach to the study of the lives, beliefs and practices of members of world religions

 

§    promoting rigorous philosophical and moral thinking to appropriate academic and personal levels.
 

§    contributing significantly to the spiritual,  cultural,  moral and social development  of the students

§    developing a safe and stimulating environment  where  views can  be
      expressed, exchanged, discussed and validated.

 

Teaching Strategies

 

In order to achieve these aims the Religious Studies Department aims to be distinctive, effective, progressive, dynamic and vigorous in all aspects of its teaching and learning.

Ø    We aim to have as much  creativity as possible in the presentation of material and encourage students to be creative in responding.  Consequently, we use music, poetry, art, plays, stories,  debate, role play, videos that show people at worship and students discussing their beliefs. 

Ø     We encourage the attainment of knowledge  and the development of understanding of a variety of beliefs both sacred and secular.  To do this, students need to be presented with materials and information which will widen their experience and give them a chance to respond to new ideas. 

Ø      We encourage the use of a wide and  challenging recourses. This includes a range of material for research including text books, resource books, videos, tapes, CD Roms,  extensive use of the internet, the library, newspapers and other media.

Ø     We encourage discussion both in class and in groups. Often discussion material needs preparation and structure and students are encouraged in this particularly focusing upon skills of expression and argument in Y9. Experience has shown us that students develop greatly in tolerance and understanding after following this course.

Assessment is based on assignments given during or at the end of units of work with the assessment varying from task to task.  The areas being assessed through these years follow the following pattern:-

     
      1.   skills in investigation
      2.   analysis 
      3.   classification
      4.   synthesis,
      5.   application,
      6.   evaluation,
      7. empathy
      8. self-understanding.

                                 Attitudes