CCEA
Level 3
QN: 601/8453/X
Curriculum Active
CCEA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Religious Studies
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by CCEA. Classified as a GCE A Level.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
CCEA
Syllabus Units
16 Units
Guided Hours
Flexible
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Ethics
Natural Law
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the principles of Natural Law theory
- Apply Natural Law to ethical issues
2
Ethics
Situation Ethics
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the key principles of Situation Ethics
- Evaluate its application to moral dilemmas
3
Ethics
Utilitarianism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the different forms of Utilitarianism
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of Utilitarianism
4
New Testament Studies
The Gospel of John
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the theological themes in John's Gospel
- Evaluate the concept of the 'I am' sayings
5
New Testament Studies
The Gospel of Luke
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse Luke's presentation of Jesus' compassion towards outcasts and sinners.
- Evaluate the significance of the journey to Jerusalem in Luke's narrative structure.
- Assess how Luke portrays Jesus' identity through his use of Christological titles.
- Examine the theme of reversal and God's preferential option for the poor in Luke.
- Critically compare Luke's infancy narratives with those in Matthew to elucidate his theological priorities.
6
New Testament Studies
The Synoptic Problem
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the literary relationships between the Synoptic Gospels
- Evaluate the Two-Source Hypothesis
7
Philosophy of Religion
Arguments for the Existence of God
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the ontological, cosmological, and teleological arguments
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each argument
8
Philosophy of Religion
Religious Language
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Examine the nature and function of religious language
- Evaluate verification and falsification principles
9
Philosophy of Religion
The Problem of Evil
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the logical and evidential problem of evil
- Assess theodicies and responses to the problem
- Analyse the free will defence as a response to the logical problem
- Evaluate the coherence and theological implications of the Augustinian theodicy
- Critically compare the Irenaean soul-making theodicy with process theology responses
- Apply the concept of gratuitous evil to assess the evidential problem
10
The Christian Church in the early medieval period
The Carolingian Renaissance
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the reforms of Charlemagne in education and church life
- Evaluate the role of Alcuin of York
11
The Christian Church in the early medieval period
The conversion of the Anglo-Saxons
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the mission of Augustine of Canterbury
- Analyse the Synod of Whitby and its significance
12
The Christian Church in the early medieval period
The development of monasticism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the origins and development of monasticism in the East and West
- Compare the Rules of St Basil and St Benedict
13
The Christian Church in the early medieval period
The mission of the Celtic Church
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the spread of Christianity in Ireland and Britain
- Evaluate the contribution of St Patrick and St Columba
14
The Christian Church in the Medieval Period
Schisms and Reform Movements
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Examine the causes and consequences of the Great Schism
- Assess the impact of reform movements
15
The Christian Church in the Medieval Period
The Church and Learning
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain how monastic scriptoria contributed to the transmission of classical and Christian learning.
- Analyse the development of cathedral schools into the first universities, such as Paris and Bologna.
- Evaluate the significance of Peter Abelard’s Sic et Non in advancing critical theological inquiry.
- Assess Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica as a synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy and Christian doctrine.
- Examine the impact of the Franciscan and Dominican orders on medieval education and scholarship.
16
The Christian Church in the Medieval Period
The Church and Society
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate the role of the Church in medieval society
- Analyse the relationship between Church and state
17
The Christian Church in the Roman Empire
The Church and the Roman State
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Examine the relationship between the Church and Roman authorities
- Assess the impact of persecution on Church growth
18
The Christian Church in the Roman Empire
The Church in the New Testament
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the development of the early Church as depicted in Acts
- Evaluate the role of Peter and Paul in the spread of Christianity
19
The Christian Church in the Roman Empire
The Development of Doctrine and Practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the development of key Christian doctrines
- Analyse the role of early Church councils
20
The Christian Church in the Roman Empire up to AD 325
The conversion of Constantine and the Edict of Milan
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the significance of Constantine's conversion
- Evaluate the impact of the Edict of Milan on the Church
21
The Christian Church in the Roman Empire up to AD 325
The development of the Church's organisation and worship
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the development of Church hierarchy and liturgy
- Evaluate the significance of the Eucharist in early Christian worship
22
The Christian Church in the Roman Empire up to AD 325
The origins of the Christian Church
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the origins of the Christian Church in the context of the Roman Empire
- Analyse the relationship between the early Church and the Roman state
23
The Christian Church in the Roman Empire up to AD 325
The persecution of Christians
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the reasons for and nature of persecution under Nero and Decius
- Assess the impact of persecution on the Church
24
The Church in the High Middle Ages
The Crusades
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the causes and course of the First Crusade
- Evaluate the impact of the Crusades on the Church
25
The Church in the High Middle Ages
The development of scholasticism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the methods and key figures of scholastic theology
- Evaluate the contribution of Thomas Aquinas
26
The Church in the High Middle Ages
The Investiture Controversy
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the conflict between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV
- Analyse the significance of the Concordat of Worms
27
The Church in the High Middle Ages
The rise of the mendicant orders
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the founding and ideals of the Franciscans and Dominicans
- Assess the contribution of St Francis and St Dominic
28
The Church in the modern period
The Enlightenment and its impact on Christianity
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the key ideas of the Enlightenment and their challenge to Christianity
- Evaluate the responses of Christian thinkers
29
The Church in the modern period
The Evangelical Revival
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the origins and key figures of the Evangelical Revival
- Analyse the impact of Methodism on British society
30
The Church in the modern period
The Oxford Movement
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the aims and key figures of the Oxford Movement
- Evaluate its impact on the Church of England
31
The Church in the modern period
The Second Vatican Council
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the reforms of the Second Vatican Council
- Analyse the impact on the Catholic Church and ecumenism
32
The Reformation and its Aftermath
The Catholic Counter-Reformation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the response of the Catholic Church to the Reformation
- Evaluate the role of the Council of Trent
- Explain the key doctrinal decrees of the Council of Trent concerning justification and the sacraments
- Assess the contribution of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) to the success of the Counter-Reformation
- Examine the impact of structural reforms on clerical education and discipline
- Compare the aims and methods of the Roman Inquisition with those of the Council of Trent
33
The Reformation and its Aftermath
The Church in the Modern Era
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Examine the challenges faced by the Church in the modern world
- Assess the impact of the Second Vatican Council
34
The Reformation and its Aftermath
The Protestant Reformation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the key ideas of Martin Luther and John Calvin
- Assess the impact of the Reformation on the Church
35
The Reformation in Europe
Martin Luther and the German Reformation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe Luther's theology and his break with Rome
- Evaluate the impact of the Diet of Worms and the Peasants' War
36
The Reformation in Europe
The background to the Reformation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the political, social and religious factors leading to the Reformation
- Analyse the role of humanism and the printing press
37
The Reformation in Europe
The Radical Reformation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the beliefs and practices of Anabaptists
- Analyse the response of magisterial reformers to radicalism
38
The Reformation in Europe
The Reformation in Switzerland
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the teachings of Zwingli and Calvin
- Compare the Reformed tradition with Lutheranism
39
The Reformation in the British Isles
The Elizabethan Settlement
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the religious settlement of 1559
- Evaluate the challenges from Puritans and Catholics
40
The Reformation in the British Isles
The English Reformation under Henry VIII
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the political and dynastic factors that led to the break with Rome
- Assess the significance of Thomas Cromwell in engineering the Royal Supremacy
- Evaluate the economic and social impact of the dissolution of the monasteries
- Examine the doctrinal implications of the Act of Supremacy for the English Church
- Explain the extent of religious change under Henry VIII beyond the break with Rome
- Compare the motives behind the dissolution with the ideals of monastic reform
41
The Reformation in the British Isles
The Reformation in Scotland
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the role of John Knox in the Scottish Reformation
- Analyse the establishment of the Presbyterian Church
42
The Reformation in the British Isles
The Reformation under Edward VI and Mary I
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the Protestant reforms under Edward VI
- Analyse the Marian restoration of Catholicism
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 601/8453/X
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- CCEA
- Qualification Type
- GCE A Level
- Operational Start
- Sept 2016
- Operational End
- Aug 2029