AS Outline

Unit 1: Culture and Society
Topic list: 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.

Assessment Written Paper: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 50% of the total AS, 25% of the total A Level marks

Section A: 30 objective test questions assessing material for comprehension.

Section B: Three short extracts and three compulsory documentary source analysis questions.

Unit 2: Science and Society
Topic list: 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 in science and social science.

Assessment Written Paper: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 50% of total AS, 25% of the total A Level marks

Section A: 30 objective test questions assessing material for comprehension and mathematical reasoning.

Section B: One from three optional questions linking science and society. Each question will be divided into parts and have its own source.

A2 Outline

A2 outline

At A2, the specification asks candidates to further develop themes and concepts studied at AS. Candidates will be expected to make informed judgements and reach justified conclusions. Students will demonstrate understanding of how values can influence judgements.

The A2 specification has 2 units:

Unit 3: Culture and SocietyTopic listthe role and responsibilty of artists the dilemmas and complexity of a multi-faith and pluralist society the power of language and images to transmit, persuade or distort; 'spin' and propaganda processes, problems and responsibilities of a democracy social interaction at personal, local, national and international levels.

AssessmentWritten Paper: 2 hours
Weighting: 25% of total A Level marks

Section A: One compulsory source evaluation exercise.

Section B: One from four optional essays on culture.

Section C: One from four optional essays on society.

Unit 4: Science and Society
Topic list: the concept of life and matter the approach of different social sciences to our understanding of people and problems solving world problems; co-operation and intervention the nature of hypothesis and theory in scientific development commenting on data and representations of data; interpreting results and assessing implications the contribution of science and technology to lifestyles in different societies .

Assessment Written Paper: 2 hours
Weighting: 25% of total A Level marks

Section A: Short answer questions assessing pre-release Case Study and unseen extracts contained in the examination paper.

Section B: One from four optional science and society essays.

Scheme of Work and Specimen Exam Papers

Scheme of Work and Specimen Exam Papers

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