A level Philosophy Ethics & Religion
MASTERCLASS 2023
2023 UK
What to expect on the day
These events are hosted in London, and also at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. When it’s important to get things right students and teachers need to be confident of the required content; these events are excellent value and draw on scholars from both Oxford and Cambridge.
Face to face subject-specific events with experts are highly effective in terms of impact on pupil outcomes. Attend this A level RS study day with distinguished academics to inspire and enthuse, as well as boost grades. Whether you’re looking to freshen up student directed learning or to equip students with the skills and knowledge to excel, the EthIQa study day is designed for you.
During the day students will be able to contribute and provide feedback, and there is also an opportunity to engage in a debate in a way that recognizes the right of others to hold different views. Full notes supplied so that you leave feeling supported and inspired.
Study Day Content
Introduction and welcome
9:50 (London: 10:20)
Without God, is everything permitted? Focus on Sexual Ethics.
Julie Arliss
10:00-10:50 (London: 10:30-11:20)
This session will outline and apply a number of ethical frameworks highlighting their key assumptions. Does religion have a continuing role in sexual ethics or not? Are choices personal and private or should they be subject to societal norms and legislation? While the focus of this session will be sexual ethics the tools provided will be useful for a wide range of practical ethics topics. Get equipped with the tools needed for the highest grades.
Liberation theology
The Professors: Keith Ward (London & Oxford) and James Orr (Cambridge)
10:50-11:40 (London: 11:20-12:10)
Liberation theology is a core topic which links a number of A level topics. such as wisdom and authority, the concept of God, ethics and whether there is a place for violent protest in Christianity. This session will explore the origins of Liberation Theology including the influences of Marx & Hegel, the pivotal role of the Medellin Conference and the work of Gutierrez. Core claims, such as a ‘preferential option for the poor’ ‘consciousness-raising’ and the demand for ‘orthopraxis’ will be examined. Liberation theology and the on-going influence of Marx among those who feel disadvantaged will be evaluated.
Break
11:40-12:00 (London: 12:10-12:30)
What would it mean to be free?
Dr Ralph Weir
12:00-12:50 (London: 12:30-13:20)
What would it mean to be free? What do we mean by freedom? Libertarianism, compatibilism and determinism will be outlined and the connection between the metaphysics of freewill and the political idea of liberty explored. How does our thinking about individual freewill impact upon the wider picture of living in a free society?
The big debate: Kantianism vs Utilitarianism
12:50-13:30 (London: 15:00-15:45)
Kantianism vs Utilitarianism. The debate will outline the basic tenets of these two theories and help you evaluate which is the most successful. Does a deontological duty based theory hold the key for how we ought to act, or is achieving a good all round outcome enough? Student contributions will be invited before a final vote.
Lunch
13:30-14:15 (London: 13:20-14:10)
Does it Matter that Christ was male?
Professor Daphne Hampson
14:15-15:05 (London: 14:10-15:00)
It scarcely matters that Jesus was male. But is it significant Christologically? The church fathers developed an inclusive Christology, while taking for granted the Logos was male. A problem arises in an age when, no longer thinking in terms of ‘real universals’, a particular instance of humanity is deified; only made worse when Mary becomes an almost-divine-god(dess). Christian feminists have found it tough not to be able to see Christ in their image. Mary Daly rejects Christology; Rosemary Ruether walks around it; I think that no such thing could exist. We shall consider all these positions and the issues involved.
Speakers
Professor Keith Ward
Emeritus Regius Professor of Divinity, Oxford University.
Professor Keith Ward is a leading philosopher of religion and much in demand on the international academic scene. Liberation Theology and Marx feature in his book, ‘A Guide for the Perplexed’ and more fully in ‘In Defence of the Soul’ both of which are accessible to students. A Former President of the World Congress of Faiths and member of The Board of Social Responsibility for the Church of England; Professor Ward has also written a 5 volume work on ‘Comparative Theology’, which is about inter-faith relations. Professor Ward has recorded programmes for Al Jazeera TV and recently for the Egyptian Arabic TV channel. He is a former Chair of the Governors of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and on the Academic Committee of the Islamic Centre at Oxford.
Julie Arliss
Julie Arliss is a well-known experienced teacher and author. She works closely with exam boards and is perfectly placed to support students in preparation for A level examinations. She is an experienced examiner. Julie has an international reputation for inspiring academic excellence and encouraging students to push the boundaries of knowledge
Professor Daphne Hampson
Daphne Hampson holds doctorates in history from Oxford, in theology from Harvard and a master’s in Continental Philosophy from Warwick. She is Professor Emerita of Divinity at the University of St Andrews, where she held a personal Chair in Post-Christian thought. In her retirement she is an Associate of the Department of Theology and Religion at Oxford and a Life Member of Clare Hall, Cambridge. Daphne has published and lectured widely on the challenge that feminism represents to Christianity, bringing together a theological realism and an ethical critique of Christian mythology. Otherwise, she has worked on the Lutheran tradition and on Kierkegaard. She is in the process of completing a new book Religion as Gender Politics: Theology, Feminism, and Continental Philosophy.
Dr Ralph Weir
Ralph Weir is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Lincoln, and Associate Member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford. He is author of The Mind-Body Problem and Metaphysics forthcoming with Routledge in 2023. His recent publications include “Bring Back Substances!” (Review of Metaphysics, 2021), “Can a Post-Galilean Science of Consciousness Avoid Substance Dualism?” (Journal of Consciousness Studies, 2021) and “Does Idealism Solve the Problem of Consciousness?” (Routledge Handbook of Idealism and Immaterialism, 2021). He is a founding organiser of the Humane Philosophy Project.
Dr James Orr
Dr James Orr left corporate law ten years ago to become a student again and has recently secured a lectureship at Cambridge University. Formerly McDonald Postdoctoral Fellow at Christ Church, Oxford, Dr Orr holds a PhD and MPhil from St. John’s College, Cambridge, and a Double First in Literae Humaniores from Balliol College, Oxford. His publications and policy papers cover many fields including ‘The Discarded Mind’ ‘Created Equal’ and ‘Being and Eternity’. An impressive polymathic mind keen to inspire curious young minds in the search for knowledge.
Venues
Bookings and Admin
Bookings
These events fill quickly but we appreciate that some schools need time to organise their students. We are keen to help if you need more time.
If your group is smaller than 5 please get in touch and we can help you with your booking
Bookings are made on behalf of pupils by their teacher. If you are studying the online EthIQa A level or do not have a teacher please make contact and we will be happy to advise.
ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
Arrival from 9:30. The programme begins promptly at 9:50 and concludes at 15:15.
Note: Times for London. Arrival from 9:30. Conference 10:30 – 16:00.
Study Day Fees
Student £37.50 (£35 for early bird online ticket sales before 16 October T&C apply)
Staff £37.50 1 free place with every 12 students (£35 for early bird online ticket sales before 16 October T&C apply) Unaccompanied teachers attending for PD £220
Please bring your own refreshments.
CPD Bookings
Testimonials
What Students Say
I am so glad I got to go to this conference. Speaking to others, we all agreed that it allowed us to see our course in a different and broader context. It was lovely engaging in our subject in a way that goes beyond our textbooks. Listening to speakers who knew about Philosophy and were passionate about it, reminded me why I chose to study RS.
I found the conference to be very interesting and enriching – both for the content and philosophy as a whole. It rejuvenated our passion for philosophy and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to attend. Thank you very much!
LOVED IT! It was amazing and really useful. Julie Arliss’ talks linked in with what we’ve been doing, and all the speakers were so interesting!
I enjoyed how the speakers were so enthusiastic about their subjects and came up with interactive analogies that people could relate to.
What Teachers Say
The calibre and quality of speakers is exceptional and the content challenging and inspirational. It enabled my students
to think philosophically beyond the classroom. The notes are also brilliant and a great resource for the students’ independent, extended learning.
The presentations are first-rate, fun, lively, and at times humorous. The speakers are balanced and it helped my pupils. Thank you for organising.
My students were inspired by the speakers, who were excited to meet some key thinkers. It was all pitched at the right level for my students and they were buzzing about the talks on the journey home.
Thank you for making us feel so welcome. The feedback from our students was overwhelmingly positive; the talks continue to stimulate lots of discussion and a number of them have engaged in further research based on the lectures .
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