What will I gain from doing this course

Aims/Objectives

What will I do

This AS and A2 level specification should encourage candidates to:

• 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
• 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
• integrate knowledge from a range of disciplined to appreciate how they relate to one another
• communicate with coherence and clarity in an appropriate format
• 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

Course Content

Style of Teaching and Learning

Unit 1: AS Culture and Society
Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes
50% of total AS marks, 25% of total A Level marks
Two sections:

• Section A – 30 objective test questions
• Section B – compulsory source analysis questions

Subject Content

• The similarities and differences between cultures, nature and use of language
• The role of artists and art in society, examples of art works and major artistic movements
• The role of religious and value systems, beliefs and values, tolerance and moral issues
• Freedoms, rights and responsibilities
• Evaluating the media and recognising bias
• The British political system and the role of the monarchy
  

Unit 2: AS Science and Society
Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes
50% of total AS marks, 25% of total A Level marks
Two sections:

• Section A – 30 objective test questions
• Section B – optional source analysis questions

Subject Content

• The origins of the universe, natural forces and sources and forms of energy
• Human and social behaviour and approaches to social studies and policy
• Commerce and industry and the impact of political and economic issues on science, society and the environment
• Mathematics in science and society
• The impact and implications of new inventions
• Moral dilemmas surrounding the work of scientists
• The impact and social, ethical and environmental implications of scientific discoveries and inventions
• Research methods

What support will I receive

Where can I get further information

The course is delivered with the emphasis on student research and discussion. To this end we will help you to produce essays on current issues, and you will also have to deliver a presentation and be questioned on a topic of your choice.