Prejudice and Discrimination

    WJEC
    GCSE

    Examination of the intersection between secular human rights frameworks (specifically the UDHR 1948 and Human Rights Act 1998) and religious ethical systems. Candidates must analyze the theological basis for human dignity (e.g., Imago Dei), the tension between religious freedom and discrimination protections, and the application of religious duty regarding social justice, poverty, and political liberation.

    5
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Galatians 3:28 ('There is neither Jew nor Gentile... for you are all one in Christ Jesus')
    • Qur'an 49:13 ('We created you from a single pair of a male and a female')
    • The Equality Act 2010 (Protected Characteristics)
    • Martin Luther King Jr. (Christian motivation for civil rights)
    • Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 1)

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have identified the teaching, now quote the specific text (SoWA) to validate your point"
    • "Your evaluation is one-sided; you must include a counter-argument to access the higher bands"
    • "Differentiate clearly between cultural practices and actual religious doctrine regarding gender roles"
    • "Link the religious belief directly to a specific action or organization (e.g., Christian Aid) to show impact"

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for explicit distinction between prejudice (attitude) and discrimination (act)
    • Credit accurate citation of Sources of Wisdom and Authority (e.g., Galatians 3:28, Qur'an 49:13)
    • Candidates must analyse the impact of individual believers (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafzai) on combating discrimination
    • Evaluation must weigh religious duty against secular laws (e.g., freedom of religious expression vs. censorship)

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In (c) questions, ensure two distinct religious teachings are explained with separate paragraphs
    • 💡For (d) questions, use the 'Farm' structure: For, Against, Religious/Non-religious views, My conclusion
    • 💡Integrate specific terminology (e.g., 'Sanctity of Life', 'Social Justice') rather than everyday language
    • 💡Allocate approximately 1 minute per mark; do not over-write on the 2-mark definition questions

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating 'prejudice' with 'discrimination' without defining the boundary
    • Providing generic assertions ('God loves everyone') without specific scriptural or doctrinal support
    • Presenting a one-sided argument in 'Discuss' (d) questions rather than a balanced evaluation of diverse viewpoints

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    What is meant by
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    Compare

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