Introduction to Social Sciences

Introduction to Social Sciences
Level 2
GCSE
Qualification: 3 - 4 GCSEs plus a Key Skill qualification
Duration: 1 yearWhat will I study? This course is designed to introduce you to the Social Sciences and will help you progress onto our level 3 courses should you meet the 2011 entry requirements for the courses you are interested in. You will study a package of GCSEs made up of Psychology, Sociology and either Maths or Statistics (depending on your current Maths grade). GCSE English will also be available for those needing to improve their grade. You will also study for a key skill in Application of Number, Communication or ICT, and will have classes in Study Skills.Psychology: you will look at five major areas of Psychology: the Biological, Cognitive, Developmental, Social and Individual Differences Approaches. Within each approach, you will study two pieces of research in detail. You will also learn about the research process and methods in Psychology.Sociology: The course content will include three topics from: family, education, mass media, work, crime and youth with a special emphasis on gender. Students must also complete a research methods unit.Statistics/Maths: in Statistics you will study data collection, data analysis and presentation techniques. These may be different to the research processes studied in Psychology and will go to greater numerical depth and level of detail. In GCSE Maths you will study data handling, number and money, geometry, inequalities and pictorial representation. The Key Skill Application of Number course forms part of the GCSE Maths course but would need to be studied in addition to the Statistics course if appropriate.Cost Approximately £7 equipment cost for a scientific calculator and drawing equipment.Assessment You will undertake separate GCSE assessments in each of your courses made up of a mix of coursework and exams at different stages of the year: Psychology: three exams in the summer lasting between 1 hour and 1 1/4 hours. Sociology: exams in the summer, one based on pre-release information. Statistics: a piece of controlled assessment specified by the exam board plus a 1.5 hour exam For information about Maths or English please see the relevant pages on our website.Normal Level 2 entry requirements apply plus D in English and F in Maths. Students must have at least 2 grade Cs when starting the course.Useful supporting courses
Key Skills, Study Skills, GCSE English.