Finham Park School

Social Sciences

Jump to: Critical Thinking | Law | Psychology | Sociology

Critical Thinking
Entry Requirements	You will need to have attained a high grade in GCSE English. Critical Thinking is a fundamental academic competency and is useful for candidates taking a wide variety of AS or A2 subjects. Students considering taking Law, Philosophy or Theology at a higher level would find it a useful introduction to some of the principles of Logic and Ethics. Keeping up to date with current affairs should be considered an essential part of the course: you should aim to read a quality (broadsheet) newspaper everyday, paying particular attention to the Comment / Editorial and main feature sections. You should also aim to listen (critically!) on a regular basis to Radio 4 and T.V. news and discussion programmes such as Today or Newsnight.
Assessment	Exam Board: OCR 2 examination papers taken in the Summer Term, each 1 hour 30 minutes.

Law
Entry Requirements	5 A*- C including GCSE English Language.
Assessment	Year 12 AS: The English Legal System, i.e. the courts, legal process, judiciary, legal services Sources of Law, i.e. precedent, legislation, European Law Year 13 A2: Criminal Law - i.e Liability, Crimes and Defences Criminal Law Special Study - the Exam board will specify a topic which will be analysed in detail.

Psychology
Entry Requirements	Grade B in GCSE English and BB in GCSE Science. Grade C in GCSE Mathematics. BTEC Science qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis.
Assessment	Exam Board: OCR AS: Exam (assessment of the 15 core studies) 2hrs l Exam (assessment of the individual four investigations) 1hr A2: Exam (assessment of applied psychology) 1.5hrs Exam (assessment of the perspective, methods and debates) 2hrs

Sociology
Entry Requirements	5 GCSE grades A* - C, including English Language and Literature. Important attributes are a commitment and a willingness to work hard at a subject that can sometimes be difficult to grasp. You need to be highly organised to cope with the volume of material required for the exam. You cannot be a good Sociology student unless you are aware of what is happening in society: you need to read widely and take an active interest in current affairs.
Assessment	Exam Board: AQA AS: Unit 1 (SCLY1): Families and Households - January exam (40%) Unit 2 SCLY2: Education with Research Methods - Summer exam (60%) A2: Unit 3 (SCLY3): Beliefs in Society - January exam (40%) Unit 4 (SCLY4): Crime and Deviance with research methods - Summer exam (60%)