Citizenship Studies
Citizenship Studies enable students to deepen their knowledge of democracy and government, the law, rights and responsibilities and how we live together in society.
Through Citizenship Studies, students investigate how the citizen is enabled by society to play a full and active part and how citizens are empowered to effect change within it.
The course is intrinsically linked to A Level Politics, thus Citizenship students have the opportunity to join Politics students in attending events with guest speakers at the school. The course also allows students to build genuine campaigns for change within society, providing the students with deeply enriching experiences.
Examination Board: AQA
Course Description
Citizenship Studies has three content themes: Life in modern Britain, Rights and responsibilities and Politics and participation. In Citizenship Studies, students explore:
- What does it mean to be a citizen in modern Britain?
- What difference can you make to the way society works? How can you make a difference and effect change?
- What does it mean to be British?
- What’s Britain’s role in the world?
- What role does the media have in shaping the society we live in?
- What are laws, rights and responsibilities?
- How does government and democracy work?
Students plan practical citizenship actions aimed at delivering a benefit or change for others in society. From Citizenship Studies, students gain a deeper knowledge of democracy, government and law, and develop skills to create sustained and reasoned arguments, present various viewpoints and plan practical citizenship actions to benefit society.
Students also gain the ability to critically evaluate arguments, weigh evidence and look for alternative interpretations and sources of evidence.
Assessment
Paper 1 – Written Exam (1hr 45 mins; 80 marks; 50% of GCSE)
Section A: Active citizenship
Section B: Politics and participation
Paper 2 – Written Exam (1hr 45mins; 80 marks; 50% of GCSE)
Section A: Life in modern Britain
Section B: Rights and responsibilities
