Citizenship
Head of Department: Mrs S Ingram
Citizenship studies investigates how the citizen is enabled by society to play a full and active part and how citizens are empowered to effect change within society. Citizenship understanding develops through the knowledge of how a society operates and functions and its underlying values. Students will gain knowledge of democracy, government and law, and develop the ability to create sustained, well balanced arguments.
What will I study?
The first theme, Life in Modern Britain, looks at the make-up and dynamics of contemporary society, what it means to be British, as well as the role of the media and the UK’s role on the world stage.
The second theme, Rights and Responsibilities, looks at the nature of laws, rights and responsibilities within the UK and has a global aspect due to the nature of international laws, treaties and agreements by which the UK abides.
The third theme, Politics and Participation, aims to give the student, through an understanding of the political process, the knowledge and skills necessary to understand how to resolve issues, bring about change, and how the empowered citizen is at the heart of our society.
How will I be assessed?
100% written assessment.
Anything else I need to know?
This specification is developed around the overarching principle of how citizens can try to make a difference in society. Whilst the three content-based themes enable students to develop their citizenship knowledge base, the last section of each theme enables students to explore through case study approaches and by their own actions how citizens are able to try to make a difference.
An element of Paper 1 will require pupils to reflect upon their own participation in society. Taking citizenship action in a real out-of-classroom context allows students to apply citizenship knowledge, understanding and skills, and to gain different citizenship insights and appreciate different perspectives on how we live together and make decisions in society. It requires students to practise a range of citizenship skills including research and enquiry, interpretation of evidence, including primary and secondary sources, planning, collaboration, problem-solving, advocacy, campaigning and evaluation.
Students will be expected, either alone or working with others, to carry out an investigation into a citizenship issue based upon any part of the subject knowledge content. The investigation will lead to citizenship action as defined above.
