Diploma Preparatory Program (Grades 9-10)

Every student receives one hour-lesson of religious education per week in grades 9-10. A wide range of resources is used in this subject [videos, internet, field trips, as well as key text books in each grade].

Grades 9-10: The focus shifts from religious studies to ethical studies, where students will study and debate a wide variety of social issues, mostly from a Christian perspective. In addition, students will gain an understanding of various events that influenced Christianity since the Middle Ages in our second Church History unit.

Topics Studied in grades 9 & 10 include:

  • Medical ethics – Students will be introduced to the main Christian views on topics such as abortion and euthanasia, comparing these with other religious views and also evaluating the above.
  • Prejudice & Discrimination – Students will look at different forms of prejudice, incl. racial prejudice and sexism, give a presentation on 'Fighting against Prejudice' and complete a unit focusing on the life and teachings of Martin Luther King.
  • Other ethical topics studied (in correlation with Health studies & Pastoral curriculum) Sanctity of Life, Family Life (incl. Sexuality, Marriage, Contraception, HIV/AIDS), War & Peace, Crime & Punishment, and Human Rights. (incl. Children Rights, also Animal Rights) The material studied will mainly come from the Christian tradition, but other religions' views will also be drawn upon.
  • Church History: Part 2 - This course aims to broader students' knowledge on the history of Christianity and to deepen their understanding of how key events shaped the reality of denominational differences today. Students will have the opportunity to conduct research projects (e.g. Protestant Persecution in Europe) and give presentations to the class.

Texts include:

  • One World, Many Issues, Bernard Williams, Nelson Thornes 2001
  • Active Resources for Christianity 1, Phil Grice, Heinemann Educational Publishers 1999
  • Thinking Through Religion, Chris Wright, Oxford University Press 2000
  • Christianity and Social Issues, Michael Keene, Stanley Thornes Publishers 1995
  • Beliefs, Values & Traditions, Anne Lovelace, Heinemann Educational Publishers 1996