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GENERAL STUDIES
Subject Department:
GENERAL STUDIES
Examination
Board: AQA
Code: 6761
Specification
Summary
A course in General Studies requires candidates
to demonstrate a breadth, as well as depth, of knowledge and make
connections between, and integrate ideas across, subject disciplines.
The specifications take a multi-disciplinary approach and content
is organised into the three key areas of Culture, Morality, Arts
and Humanities; Science, Maths and Technology; and Society, Politics
and the Economy. These allow students to broaden their knowledge
and understanding by means of reinforcing the disciplines already
being delivered through the main course of study.
Aims of the
Course
This AS and AS level specification should encourage candidates to:
| a) |
think
critically, logically and constructively about significant
problems, acquire an appreciation of the strengths and limitations
of different approaches and demonstrate an ability to justify
their own;
|
| b) |
develop a critical
awareness and understanding of perennial and contemporary
issues and develop a greater awareness of their historical
and contemporary contexts in order to enhance skills of evaluation;
|
| c) |
integrate knowledge
from a range of disciplined to appreciate how they relate
to one another; |
| d) |
communicate with coherence and clarity in
an appropriate format; |
| e) |
appreciate that there are various ways of
interpreting different types of information and assess the relative
merits of evidence in order to understand such concepts as objectivity,
neutrality and bias. |
Prior Level of Attainment
There are no particular specific subjects at GCSE required; though
A and B Grades at GCSE would be a good indicator that you could
cope with this course.
Course Content Summary
All modules develop thinking and analytical skills:
AS Modules
Module 1, Culture, Morality,
Arts and Humanities
Module 2, Science, Mathematics
and Technology
Module 3, Society, Politics and
the Economy
A2 Modules
Module 4, Culture, Morality,
Arts and Humanities
Module 5, Science, Mathematics
and Technology
Module 6, Society, Politics and
the Economy
SCHEMES OF ASSESSMENT
All students in Year 13 will have the opportunity
to take this 4th A-level. All AS Modules (1,2 and 3) and A2 Modules
(4, 5 and 6) will be taken in June of Year 13, as seen in the table
"Specifications at a Glance" for General Studies.
| Level |
Module |
Mode of Assessment |
Weighting |
| AS |
Advanced
A2 |
| AS |
1: 25 objective test questions + 1 written task |
Written
1 hour 15 mins |
33.3 % |
16.6 % |
| AS |
2: 2 sets of 25 objective test questions |
Written
1 hour 15 mins |
33.3 % |
16.6 % |
| AS |
EITHER Unit 3W: questions based on source material
on module 3
OR Unit 3C: 1 Coursework assignment on module
3 |
3W: Written
1 hour 15 mins |
33.3 % |
16.6 % |
| A2 |
4: 25 objective test questions + 1 essay |
Written
1 hour 30 mins |
|
15 % |
| A2 |
5: 25 objective test questions + 1 essay |
Written
1 hour 30 mins |
|
15 % |
| A2 |
6: Questions based on source material |
Written
1 hour 30 mins |
|
20 % |
Links to Careers/employment/Higher
Education Choices
Both employers and Higher Education applications
systems look for indicators of all-round level of ability and
attainment. Two such indicators are formed from the student’s
average GCSE point score and their attainment grade of A-level
General Studies, a curriculum area that encapsulates a multi-disciplinary
approach. It is recognised as an important route by which breadth
as well as depth can be offered in the post-16 curriculum and
gives students an extra advantage in applications, as well as
more UCAS points.
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