WOO D L A N D S S C HOO L
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General Studies AS Level Examination Board: OCR Aims of Course AS Level General Studies encourages students to debate, to enquire and to test assumptions. Based on an investigation into culture, science and society, these three key areas of the contemporary world are integrated into a 2 unit structure with overlapping themes. The themes are presented as questions and issues to explore through debate and research. Â 1 Should everyone carry a donor card? 1 What is Euthanasia and is it ever justified? 1 Should gay/lesbian couples be able to have children using IVF? 1 What makes people vote for a particular political party? 1 Why have digitally produced animated films becomes so popular in the last few years? 1 Are older people still valued in the world of work? 1 Has the internet had a positive or negative impact on Family Life?
Programme of Study at AS Level and A2 Level Unit
Level
Name
Description
Weighting AS
1
AS
The Cultural and Social Domains
1 1 1 1 1 1
Political systems, processes and goals Social and economic trends and constraints Human behaviour: Explanation and evaluation Beliefs, values and moral reasoning Media and communication Creativity and innovation
70%
2
AS
The Scientific Domain  Â
1 Characteristics of the sciences 1 Understanding the science method 1 Mathematical reasoning
30%
Approaches to Learning Students will develop the skills of independent enquiry, essay writing (forming a hypothesis which is proven through balanced argument before reaching a judgement) and logical problem solving. It synthesises skills from across the range of arts and science based subjects.
Who is this course aimed at? General Studies is a great qualification for students who are engaged with the world in which they live.
Minimum entry requirement is 5 discrete A*- C grades in your GCSE subjects.
E N H A N C E D B Y S P E C I A L I S T T E C H N O L O G Y, M A T H S A N D C O M P U T I N G S T A T U S