RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT THE FITZWIMARC SCHOOL
YEAR 8 SYLLABUS
1. RELIGION - QUEST FOR MEANING
Aims:
To be aware of the part played by early beliefs and religious practices in human life in answering important questions of man's existence.
'Implicit' Ideas:
Making sense of life; relationships based on fear and exploitation; authority of people over others; feelings of awe, wonder, mystery, fear and terror; sense of sacred presence: animism; worship of nature gods - compare with modern superstitions and lucky charms; interdependent relationship with nature.
Conscience and guilt; dealing with guilt through sacrifice (cf. Giving presents); forgiveness; language of symbols and rituals.
The idea of things/people set apart for special, religious purpose - holy - cf. With specialists and devotedness (e.g. parents)
Concepts:
Implicit: authority; awe; belief; interdependence; meaning; origin and purpose; superstition and fear; wonder.
Explicit: evil; holiness; sacredness; sacrifice; animism; lucky charms; the Dreamtime; ancestor worship; Aborigine; rites.
Content and Suggestions
- Use superstitions questionnaire as a light introduction. Make a list of superstitions associated with good and bad luck. Discuss. Animism - response to natural forces which cannot be explained. Charms and ancestor worship. Consider own "primitive" feelings in the face of the unknown... e.g. in the dark, alone in a waxworks at night; watching a frightening film at home, alone, etc. Connection between modern superstitious belief and primal religion.
- Aborigines (or other similar group) as a case study: Video "Why?...Because" provides an interesting description of beliefs and practices. Research and add information to explain and understand these as a whole way of life, an attempt to explain human existence and to be at one with nature (the land). Could extend into a wall display project.
- Meaning of the words 'holy', 'sacred' = set apart. Role of holy men. cf. specialists. Idea of mediators - cf. Secular ideas of referees, judges and so on. Control or Service?
- Sacrifice - pupils' own experiences of guilt and fear, of causing offence and of forgiveness. How does one appease offended party? Gifts? Doing chores? What other reasons might one have for making gifts?... appease, obtain favour, thanks, adoration/love/worship. (See Unit 4, Task A). Nature of a gift. Would you give a box of chocolate-covered brazil nuts from which you had already sucked the chocolate? cf. Milk Tray adverts. Value of gift... blood sacrifice - why? Method of giving. Variety of sacrifices in "From Fear to Faith" and reasons for giving: Sioux; Eskimos; Maya Indians; Pah Utes Indians; Hebrews; Tahitians; Aztecs; ancient Chaldeans and Canaanites. Human sacrifice. Christian interpretation of the death of Jesus Christ. An examination of the metaphorical use of the word 'sacrifice' (Task B qu.1 pp. 40f. - or variations on it).
Time:
About 5 weeks
Resources:
Quest FitzWimarc Work Guide
Primitive Religion 20 slides
Primitive Religion - Fear OHP slides
"Why?... Because" - Aborigines Video
Aborigines of Australia Video
From Fear to Faith Books
Sources of Faith CD-ROM
Assessment:
- Ability to identify and give examples of primitive beliefs and practices
- Understanding of the role of fear in such beliefs and practices
- Ability to compare with own experiences and evaluate.
- Understanding nature of guilt and resultant actions, and the parameters of forgiveness.
- Ability to compare and contrast with own position and situation.
Various written tasks requiring research, observation, comparisons, evaluation of own experience and explanation of various situations.
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