Citizen Studies - AS/A2 Level

Citizen Studies - AS/A2 Level
Exam Board: AQA NCS course code: AS-ASCSTAP/A2-A2CSTAP
Aim In the AS course, students will address the relationship between the individual, the law and the state, and the nature of identities.

Underpinning the course of study is the requirement for students to be actively engaged in a range of citizenship activities.

Students are required to participate in a number of citizenship activities, recording their involvement using the Active Citizenship Profile. The activities can take place in the classroom, in school, college or within the wider community.
Content The AS level is divided into two units. Unit 1 is assessment by a written examination of 1 hour 15 minutes and Units 2 - 4 are assessed by an examination paper of 1 hour 30 minutes.

At A2, students will study the principles and characteristics of justice systems, the nature of representative democracy, the role of parliament in the UK and contemporary global citizenship issues.

Unit 1: Identity, rights and responsibilities
The topic list in Unit 1 includes the following:
· What does it mean to be British?
· How socially diverse is Britain?
· How far is Britain a multicultural society?
· What is stereotyping?
· Are we all equal citizens?
· Prejudice, discrimination and disadvantage
· To what extent does poverty exist in Britain?
· How can discrimination and disadvantage be reduced?
· What steps can governments take to reduce discrimination and disadvantage?
· Rights and responsibilities.

Unit 2: Democracy, active citizenship and participation
The topic list in Unit 2 includes the following:
· Making a difference
· The concept and nature of power
· The citizen and political power in the United Kingdom
· The nature of government and its impact on the lives of citizens
· Council of Ministers, Presidency vs UK Parliament, Executive and Monarchy
· Playing your part: how the citizen can get involved and make a difference
· Citizenship in action: citizens working together to bring about change
· The impact of campaigns on political decision making and political attitudes
· Active citizenship skills and participation
· Becoming an informed citizen, the participating citizen, being an active citizen.

Unit 3: Power and justice
In the assessment of units 3 and 4, candidates are expected to draw upon material and learning from AS and may also draw upon their active citizenship participation to inform their judgements.

Crime, Justice and punishment
The issues considered in Unit 3 include the following:
· The nature of crime and the role of the police
· The purpose of criminal law and its role in society and the community
· Crime and morality
· Elements of a crime
· The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act
· The impact of the Human Rights Act.
· The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the trial process
· The Criminal Procedure Rules
· The prosecution process
· The Criminal Defence Service.

Unit 4: Global issues and making a difference
The issues considered in Unit 4 include the following:
· Universal human rights
· How are human rights protected in the UK?
· The role of the judiciary within the UK and the role of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights
· Case studies of UK human rights issues
· How has our understanding of human rights changed since 1945?
· Human rights abuse
· How can citizens and groups bring about change in relation to human rights?
· Reflecting on their active citizenship participation, students will consider how individual citizens can and have made a difference.

Progression/career opportunities This qualification may be used in conjunction with any of the many award schemes or records of achievement that recognise active participation in citizenship activities.

Screening
Students will also be screened (in the College) and must achieve literacy and numeracy at the level appropriate to the course.