YEAR 9 SYLLABUS

1. WORLD PROBLEMS

Aims:

• To create an awareness of world problems;
• To aid discernment of the needs of others and to begin to see problems from their point of view;
• To explore questions of concern for the needs of others.
• To develop an understanding of religious approaches to these problems and the questions they raise about God. Quest for meaning.
  
  Implicit in the aims of this section is the nurturing of the ideals of sympathy, compassion, mutual care and understanding.

'Implicit' Ideas:

Concepts:

Content and Suggestions:

1. Ask pupils to compile a list of world problems of which they are aware. Discuss. Prepare for future weeks by collecting suitable material from newspapers, magazines and the like. Library keeps updated folders on a number of topics as well as recent copies of newspapers.
2. Population explosion, hunger, famine, drought. Deal with an issue, such as drought and famine, as an example of non-moral evil for discussion and work in class, as an introductory session. Discuss causes and solutions. Morality of food mountains, of plenty in Western Europe and thousands dying daily elsewhere. What could be done? Should anything be done? Is it our problem? What are our moral obligations?
   Consider religious teaching from Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Buddhism on subject. Organisations devoted to help: Oxfam, Tear Fund, Action Aid, CAFOD, Red Cross, Red Crescent etc. Could write to some of these for information.
3. In groups of about two to four (max.), pupils to choose a project theme of their own to work on - for three weeks maximum. The project must be about a world problem (moral or non-moral). Endeavour to research not only the problems, but responses to the problems, especially Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist responses. At end of given time, groups will make a presentation of their topic to the rest of the group.
4. Examine the question "Why suffering?" What do religions have to say? How can such ideas be reconciled with people's religious beliefs? Study the ideas of Siddartha Gautama (taking up the initial story from year 7) How did he cope with the idea of the suffering he encountered? What were the answers he discovered and how are they followed by the followers of Buddhism today? (variety of ideas within Buddhism) What are the answers of Sikhism and Islam to these problems? - the ideas of karma and reincarnation for the former and the will of Allah for the latter. Generally, if there is a God, why does He allow suffering? Pupils to work through these questions regarding God and suffering, using the worksheets in yellow plastic folders.
5. Examine race prejudice as an example of a moral evil. Examine reasons people sometimes give for not wanting immigrants, particularly coloured and black people, to live in this country. Are these reasons acceptable? Quick quiz on stereotyping (From "Jewish Responses" - can adapt or expand upon original). Examples of stereotyping in race arguments. Facts about immigration - dispelling the myths. Race Relations Acts. The concept of a scapegoat - Biblical origin. Read a selection of passages from "Lord of the Flies." Why did Piggy become a scapegoat? Real reasons for race prejudice. Should immigrants be integrated or segregated? Debate. cf. problems in USA, recent developments in South Africa. Christian attitudes.
6. Consider religious attitudes to prejudice and discrimination: Buddhism, Sikhism and Islam.

Time:

Resources:

World Problems					FitzWimarc Work Guide
In Love and War					Books
Religion Meets the New Age			Books
Solitary Confinement				Books
Hard Luck Story - South Vietnam			Books
Handicapped					Books
What About God					Booklets
Ward 6 (Chekov)					Cassette Tape
War and Peace					Cassette Tape
World Problems					20 slides
War						32 slides
World Population				OHP slide
Race Conflict					OHP slide
Prejudice					Tape/slides
Immigration					Tape/slides
Cry Freedom					Video
The Light of Experience - Refugees		Video
Girl in Brazil - poverty			Video
Northern Ireland (+ update)			Video
Why Prejudice?					Video
World Vision 24 Hour Famine			Video
James is Our Brother				Video
Disarming Arguments				Video
Various posters.