4th Form CurriculumThis course is taught to all Fourth Form pupils at Mill Hill. Its aim is to move them beyond a purely descriptive approach to the study of the world’s religions to one that enables greater self-reflection. What do they believe? What are the major influences upon their beliefs? Over the year, the question which will inevitably arise is whether it is helpful that all members of a given faith tradition believe the same things.
Key concepts such as Theism, Belief, Worship and Sacredness are introduced early in the course, with the aim of encouraging pupils to reflect upon their own spiritual journeys thus far. In the Autumn Term, leading up to Christmas, a detailed consideration of video material from the television series ‘The Jesus Files’ encourages pupils to explore the gap between the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith. Does such material permit a rather more mature, perhaps more responsible, view of his impact as a religious leader? The video raises important questions about how individuals come to exercise such influence in our world. Would Jesus recognise the term ‘Christian’? Regardless of our own views, this is a man whose life has indeed influenced our world hugely. This exploration of the roost and impact of Christianity ties in with a consideration of the distinctive non-conformist ethos of the School.
In turn the course apprises pupils of the characteristics of other faith traditions, such as Islam, Judaism and Hinduism and also includes a brief consideration of Buddhism. The intention of these lessons is to stimulate discussion between pupils whose background is, in the majority of cases, multi-faith. Rather than covering every detail of these religions, the course aims to give pupils a feel for their own traditions, considering the things they have in common as well as those things that distinguish them from other tradition. The ways in which the Rites of Passage (birth, adulthood, relationships and death) are marked by the different traditions are examined, giving pupils a chance to think through their feelings about such matters and death and loss.
The goal of the course is to challenge preconceived ideas of how different people witness to their faith. Pupils should be left with a sense that religion, however it manifests itself, is a powerful and significant force in the world today.
