Is this the right subject for me?

This is a one year course for second or final year students.
Do you want a course which …

• helps you to develop critical thinking and debating skills?
  
• makes use of and builds on the specialist knowledge you have already?
  
• broadens your knowledge of areas you know less about?
  

What is the subject content?

There are four cross-curricular themes:

• AS: Conflict, Space
  
• A2: Power ,Change
  

These are used to explore and connect ideas from the fields of

• arts and media
  
• science and technology
  
• society and politics
  
• business and industry
  
• beliefs and values.

As well as developing important thinking and communication skills, the course gives you the opportunity to broaden your general knowledge about a range of world issues and current affairs, e.g. human cloning, media censorship, the impact of globalization, contemporary art, religious conflict, environmentalism. A healthy interest in current affairs is vital for success in General Studies.

How will you be taught?

There are three lessons per week throughout the year, with two AS exams in January and two A2 exams in June. Most sessions involve discussion of a variety of sources on a topic including video clips and newspaper articles. The course is designed to develop your critical thinking, debating and essay writing skills.

How will your work be assessed?

AS exams are in January and A2 exams in June. In preparation for these, you will sit four mock exam papers during lessons. There is no coursework.

Will the workload be manageable?

By following a course in General Studies, you will be practising skills which will support and add to your learning. We recognise that, as final year students, you have a heavy workload managing your other subjects. Homework is set regularly, to help you develop important skills and to keep track of your progress, although the load is lighter than in other courses. You will be expected to carry out research, read and comment on newspaper articles and write essays.

What will you get out of the General Studies A level?

General Studies A level is a useful course for anyone wanting to show that they have studied a broad curriculum and can think critically and flexibly in examination conditions, rather than memorising information in a specialised area. As a fourth subject it can be very useful to convince university admissions tutors of your general academic ability, and although sometimes not accepted as a third A level, it does contribute to your UCAS points. Some students have told us they were accepted onto university courses because of their high achievements in General Studies.

10/09