Your class cannot replace the prescribed religions with an unlisted religion for the IB World Religions SL examined course. However, an unlisted religion may be studied as supplementary material or chosen for an individual investigative study, the internal assessment.
The distinction is between the religions selected for examination preparation and the religion investigated for the internal assessment. The course gives schools a choice within prescribed lists, rather than unrestricted choice.
| Course component | Required selection | Can an unlisted religion be chosen? |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Introduction to world religions | Five of nine religions, including at least one from each column | No, it cannot replace a prescribed selection. |
| Part 2: In-depth studies | Two of six religions, one from each column | No, both must come from the six prescribed religions. |
| Part 3: Internal assessment | An individual investigation of religious experience, practice or belief | Yes, any religion may be the focus. |
For Part 1, the three columns are Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism; Judaism, Christianity and Islam; and Taoism, Jainism and the Bahá'í Faith. Each selected religion is studied through the three fundamental questions: “What is the human condition?”, “Where are we going?” and “How do we get there?”
Part 2 allows Hinduism, Buddhism or Sikhism from one column and Judaism, Christianity or Islam from the other. Taoism, Jainism and the Bahá'í Faith are therefore introductory options only.
A common misconception is that permission to investigate any religion means the class can substitute that religion in the examined syllabus. These are separate permissions. For example, a student could investigate a Shinto practice for the internal assessment, with teacher approval and a focused research question, while still preparing the prescribed religions for examinations.
For exam preparation, revise your school's five introductory selections and two in-depth selections. Paper 1 requires answers from all three sections; Paper 2 requires one essay from each section. Supplementary study does not remove these requirements.