Zimbabwe Form 3 Religious Studies Syllabus

This syllabus provides a comprehensive framework for the Form 3 Religious Studies course. It adopts a learner-centered, multi-faith approach, encouraging critical thinking and the application of religious concepts to everyday life. The syllabus aims to promote religious and moral development, foster an understanding of family, religion, and community, and appreciate religious and cultural diversity within Zimbabwe. It also emphasizes the integration of Unhu/Ubuntu/Vumunhu with various religious beliefs. The course encourages the development of essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making, conflict resolution, leadership, self-management, communication, enterprise, and technology.

Form 3 Topics

The Form 3 syllabus focuses on the following key areas:

1. Religions:

• Concept of Religion: Explores the definition, types, and characteristics of religion, examining the national distribution of various faiths within Zimbabwe.
• Indigenous Religion: Investigates the historical background, key beliefs, rites, rituals, and practitioners of Indigenous Religion. This includes an examination of sacred places and their significance.
• Judaism: Covers the historical background, key beliefs, rites, rituals, practitioners, and sacred places of Judaism.
• Christianity: Examines the historical background, key beliefs, rites, rituals, practitioners, and sacred places of Christianity.
• Islam: Explores the historical background, key beliefs, rites, rituals, practitioners, and sacred places of Islam.

2. Contemporary Issues:

• Religion, Family, and Identity: Analyzes the concept of family, its structure, and the role of Indigenous Religion in shaping family and community identity, as well as exploring the interdependency of families and the influence of Indigenous Religion on Zimbabwean identity.
• Religion and Education: Examines the concept of education, differentiating between formal and informal education, and assessing the role of religion in both settings.
• Religion and Gender Roles: Explores gender roles within various religions, examining the impact of religion on women's empowerment and societal attitudes towards femininity and masculinity.

• Religion and Disability: Explores religious perceptions about disability and analyzes the marginalization of persons with disabilities.
• Religion and the Natural Environment: Examines the attitudes and methods of Judaism and Islam towards preserving the natural environment.
• Religion, Technology, and Enterprise: Explores the various forms of enterprise and the impact of religion on technology use and enterprise.

• Religion, Rights, and Social Responsibility: Examines the rights of the elderly, persons with disabilities, and freedom of worship, exploring the relationship between rights and social responsibilities.
• Religion and Conflict Management: Analyzes the causes and impact of conflict at the community level, exploring the role of religion in conflict management.

Assessment

The assessment model for Form 3 Religious Studies comprises continuous assessment (30%) and a summative examination (70%). Continuous assessment includes assignments and tests conducted throughout the term. The summative assessment consists of two papers:

• FRS Paper 1: Structured questions covering Indigenous Religion, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
• FRS Paper 2: Structured questions covering the same four religions, with candidates choosing four questions from any section.