Connections paper
Route J – Religious Ethics
with New Testament 2792
About the paper & exam
questions
• A2 Synoptic Connections in Religious
Studies (1 hr 30 minutes) (120 marks)
• Answer two essay questions from
three.
• Each question is allotted 60 marks.
• Quality of written communication is
assessed in both questions.
• The intention is not that you should
learn anything new, but have the
opportunity to draw together
everything you have learned about
Ethics and Gospels
• You are NOT expected to divide your
answers in half to reflect the two
parts of your course, it is more
important to write a coherent essay
that responds to the question.
• Evaluate material rather than simply
presenting views without any critical
comment.
•
•
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You will be marked according to AO1
(knowledge and understanding) and
AO2 (critical and evaluative skill)
assessment criteria – as in the AS.
Positive marking – marks are awarded
for ‘any valid response to a reasonable
interpretation of the question’.
Questions are broad to accommodate
the different approaches of different
centres; candidates should be
encouraged to feel confident that
there is no single ‘right’ approach.
AO1:
• Select and demonstrate clearly relevant
knowledge and understanding through the use
of evidence, examples, correct language and
appropriate terminology.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
the connections between different elements
of the course.
AO2:
• Sustain a line of critical argument and
justify a point of view.
• Relate elements of the course to the
broader context and to aspects of human
experience.
Level 7
A01 –
• Excellent understanding
of & engagement with
material.
• Very high level of ability
to select & deploy
relevant information.
• Sophisticated
understanding of the
connections.
• Exceptionally well
constructed and
coherent answer
(communication)
A02 • Knows exactly the
complexities of the
question.
• Uses thinking of various
scholars to form incisive
lines of argument.
• Sophisticated
understanding of broader
context & wider
significance
• Excellent quality of
language.
Connections Topics
1. the possibilities and difficulties of applying
the specified texts to the ethical issues
studied; a comparison between the ethics of
the specified texts and other methods of
approaching practical ethics issues
2. the reasons for and consequences of ethical
behaviour, according to the specified texts
3. the extent to which New Testament ethics
is consistent with any of the normative
ethical systems studied; a consideration of
the basic principles of New Testament
ethics, such as ideas of duty to God and
agape
Essay planning
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Point of view
A but B
A but B etc…
Broader / Wider context
Conclusion
[Evidence – teachings, examples scholars, terminology, applied ethics]
Past exam questions
Which connections topic do they
most closely relate to?
2005
1. ‘The ethics of the New Testament are
completely absolutist.’ Discuss with
reference to the texts you have studied.
2. ‘New Testament teaching agrees with Virtue
Ethics that the character of the agent is
more important than the action performed.’
Discuss with reference to the texts you
have studied.
3. ‘The New Testament principle of agape is a
better guide to ethical decision making than
the Utilitarian principle of happiness.’
Discuss.
2004
1. ‘The New Testament teaches that the
motive behind an action is the most
important consideration in ethics.’ Discuss
with reference to the texts you have
studied.
2. ‘New Testament teaching is of no practical
use when considering the ethical problems
raised by euthanasia.’ Discuss
3. ‘Natural Law is an improvement on the
ethics of the New Testament.’ Discuss
2003
1. Assess critically the goals of New
Testament ethics
2. How useful is the New Testament
concept of agape (love) when dealing
with the ethical issues of modern
warfare?
3. ‘New Testament ethics have more in
common with Utilitarianism than with
the ethics of Kant.’ Discuss
2002
1. ‘There is no basis for virtue ethics in
the New Testament.’ Discuss with
reference to the texts you have
studied.
2. ‘Utilitarianism is far more useful than
New Testament teaching when making
decisions about euthanasia.’ Discuss
3. How far can the ethics of the New
Testament texts you have studied be
regarded as absolutist?
Grades
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•
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A
B
C
D
E
120
60
97
88
79
70
62
48
44
39
35
31