The Ultimate Questions Project

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In the next few weeks, you will need to teach your class one of these ultimate questions:

Origin:

Where did we come from? Where are we going?  

Suffering:

Why do we suffer? How should we approach suffering? Why do we feel guilty?  

Meaning:

What is the purpose of life? Does God exists? How does a belief in God give life meaning?  

Anxiety:

Is there a basic fear driving human life?  

Death:

What happens after death? How does having to die affect the way we live our lives?


The Aims of the Project:

At the end of this project, students will be able to articulate and write about these ultimate questions with confidence.

At the end of this project, students will be able to research, select and summarise/ quote/paraphrase information related to this question. 

At the end of this project, students will be able to discuss and form their own opinions on these questions.


The Task

Analyse the key beliefs of a religious tradition and a secular world view in relation to ultimate questions involves:  

  • considering the key beliefs of a religious tradition and a secular world view in relation to ultimate questions:

  • breaking them down into components or essential features  drawing conclusions about the key beliefs, supported by evidence.

  • discussing the similarities and differences in the key beliefs of a religious tradition and a secular world view in relation to ultimate questions  drawing conclusions supported by a range of evidence. 

  • critically evaluating the key beliefs of a religious tradition and a secular world view in relation to ultimate questions  drawing conclusions that address the wider implications arising from the analysis.


In other words, your lessons should include
Outline the principles and beliefs of the Catholic church that relate to this question (Use the bible, encyclicals and liturgical practice). Outline the principles and beliefs of Secular Humanist/ Atheist that relate to this question. (Use famous people who identify themselves as secular or other evidence that is used to support this believe)
Explain, compare and analyse how the Catholic and Humanist/ Atheist respond to this question. Analyse the reasonableness of each position.
Draw your own conclusions about each answer. What are the wider implications of these beliefs for believers

How to begin?
1. Discuss as a team what your personal views are and why. Use this chart to help your group discover what you already know and what you need to know.
2) Think of a way to find out what your classmates already know about the topic and their views on it. (e.g. interviews or questionnaires or polls). Collate and analyse the results together.
3) Each group member does research and find relevant readings on the topic and print out the articles you have found. Discuss your findings together and select which information to use in your lesson.
4) Discuss how you would present the information creatively so that your classmates would remember the information better.

Planning the lesson
Decide what you will do in the lesson, how much time each section will take, who is responsible for each part. A simple structure you could follow is presentation (5 mins), activity (15mins), assessment (15mins) and go through the answers (5mins).

Check with your plans with your teacher and modify them.

After the lesson
You will be asked to reflect on your work as a team and what you have learnt from the project.
You will be asked to write an essay on your own about two ultimate questions.
You will be asked to lead a discussion with other students in your class and assume the role of expert in the ultimate question you have taught.

If you are struggling with English your teacher can support you but you are responsible for reading and selecting the right information.
1. Gather the links for relevant information and cut and paste the sentences or passages you have found on the topic on a document. Share it before you meet so that she has time to read it before you meet. Prepare to explain to the teacher why the information is relevant. Do not pick passages you do not understand. Think about what questions you have on the passages and the topic before you see her.
2. Try to quote, paraphrase and summarise important information on your own first. The teacher will help you refine your work.
3. Use COPs to edit your work. Make sure you understand why you have made an error.











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