A level Philosophy Ethics & Religion
MASTERCLASS 2024
2024
UK
What to expect on the day
Welcome to the A Level Religious Studies Conference
Unlock a world of knowledge and inspiration at our A Level Religious Studies Conference, held in the prestigious cities of London, Oxford, and Cambridge. Designed to ensure students and teachers gain confidence in the required content, these events offer exceptional value by drawing on the expertise of renowned scholars from both Oxford and Cambridge. Suitable for AQA, OCR, Edexcel & Eduqas.
What to Expect on the Day
Our face-to-face, subject-specific events with leading experts are designed to profoundly impact student outcomes. Whether you’re seeking to refresh student-directed learning or equip students with the skills and knowledge to excel, the EthIQa study day is tailored to meet your needs. These events offer exceptional value and a unique opportunity to learn through the insights of renowned scholars. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with top-tier academics.
Engage in University-Style Lectures
Throughout the day, students will immerse themselves in university-style lectures, designed to deepen their understanding and knowledge. Additionally, there will be opportunities for students to contribute and provide feedback during a structured debate, fostering an environment of respectful dialogue and the appreciation of diverse perspectives. Comprehensive notes will be provided, ensuring that you leave feeling supported and inspired.
Join us for a transformative educational experience that will not only boost academic performance but also ignite a passion for religious studies.
Study Day Content
The Politics and Philosophy of the Embryo
Discussions about embryos extend beyond developmental biology, playing a central role in legislation at national and international levels. But what exactly is an embryo, and when does human life begin? These questions are rarely clearly defined, increasingly becoming political issues. While science is often cited as an authority in these debates, its influence on personal values is complex. This session will help students understand the metaphysical and epistemological considerations essential for thinking clearly about the nature and status of embryos, equipping them with the tools to think for themselves and engage in honest, informed debate
Delusion or Insight? Reflections on the Rationality of Belief in God
Join us for a captivating session that examines the credibility of belief in God. Prominent philosophical and theological arguments, such as the cosmological, ontological, and religious experience arguments will be critically examined. Additionally, we will explore the problem of evil as a significant objection to the coherence of these arguments. This dynamic talk will showcase techniques of critical analysis, examining the validity and relevance of these arguments in contemporary discourse. This session will empower students to work with diverse perspectives, unravel the complexities of faith and reason, and broaden their understanding of Natural Theology in the modern world.
Examine the Mysteries of Death and the Afterlife
Join us for an enlightening lecture on death and the afterlife, an essential topic for A Level Religious Studies. This lecture goes beyond exam preparation, offering profound insights into life’s ultimate questions. Discover diverse perspectives on what happens after death, and explore how these beliefs shape our understanding of life’s meaning and purpose. Engaging with this topic will not only enhance  academic performance but provide a deeper, more reflective outlook on life itself. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain knowledge that resonates beyond the classroom and into your personal worldview.
The Big Debate
Natural Law: A Timeless Moral Compass or an Outdated Philosophical Concept?
Join us for a dynamic debate on Natural Law: Is it a timeless moral compass guiding human conduct, including matters of sex and sexuality, or has it become an outdated philosophical concept? Engage with leading thinkers as they explore the relevance of Natural Law in today’s complex ethical landscape. Delve into its historical significance and contemporary implications, and participate in shaping the discourse on this enduring philosophical framework. Students are encouraged to participate if they wish, challenging perspectives and broadening their understanding.
Woman: Absent, Present, Displaced.
I shall consider how woman is represented in Biblical literature and Christian tradition. She is, firstly, notably absent, whether one considers Jesus’ parables, the Hebrew scriptures, or Christian tradition. She is however present as a male construction of ‘the feminine’, more particularly in Catholic tradition with the Virgin Mary. But woman is also displaced as men take on in religion what are women’s roles in nature and society. This is indicative of the male needs that religion serves and function it fulfils in establishing male superordination over women. These are themes considered in my forthcoming book Religion as Gender Politics.
Speakers
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
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.
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 Mikolaj Slawkowski-Rode
— Dr. Mikolaj Slawkowski-Rode is a distinguished philosopher and theologian, renowned for his expertise in the intersection
of faith and reason. He serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Warsaw, is a fellow of the Dalai Lama Centre for Compassion, Oxford; holds a research position at the University of Oxford. He is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Buckingham teaching on their MA course in Philosophy
of faith and reason. He serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Warsaw, is a fellow of the Dalai Lama Centre for Compassion, Oxford; holds a research position at the University of Oxford. He is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Buckingham teaching on their MA course in Philosophy
Professor Alister McGrath
Professor Alister McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford; a doctoral degree in molecular biophysics, A Doctor of Divinity degree in theology and a Doctor of Letters degree in intellectual history.
He is best known for his work examining the relationship between science and religion, and, as a former atheist, his opposition to New Atheism and antireligion. Among his best known books are The Dawkins Delusion? Dawkins’ God: Genes, Memes and the Meaning of Life. He is the former principal of Wycliffe Hall and most recently held the Andreas Idreos Professorship of Science and Religion at Oxford. He is currently developing a series of accessible video presentations which are available free of charge on his website.
Professor Tom Greggs
After being awarded a starred Double First Class Honours Degree from Oxford, Tom completed his Phd at Cambridge. He has taught at Manchester Grammar school but is now a university lecturer and researcher with a commitment to making his work accessible to young people. He has a weekly slot on radio 4 and holds various political offices at local regional and national levels with a general focus on education policy. He is widely regarded as a ‘rising star’
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 7 October T&C apply)
Staff £37.50 1 free place with every 12 students (£35 for early bird online ticket sales before 7 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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