Prospectus
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Course Aims
The course will allow students to:
- gain knowledge and understanding of Philosophy through consideration of important philosophical issues and approaches to problems;
- develop a rigorous approach, both critical and constructive, to the study of Philosophy and the nature of argument;
- practise and enhance their abilities to construct, develop and maintain clear and coherent arguments.
Entry Requirements
- An interest in fundamental questions such as:
- What is the nature of reality?
- How should we treat one another?
- Why do we value what we value?
- What is knowledge and how do we know whether we have it?
- Given the need for clarity and coherence in written argument, students should have at least a grade B in English and /or R.E. at GCSE level.
Course Content
In year 12 students study Theory of Knowledge and consider questions concerning our right to the beliefs that we have, how we acquire them and whether we can take them to be knowledge. Students also study Moral Philosophy and consider the concept of ‘good’, as well as questions about right and wrong actions, value, duty and obligation. Additionally, students study a specific text –Descartes’ “Meditations” - and consider the notion of doubt and certainty and, the mind/body debate.
In year 13 students extend their introduction to Philosophy and study one of three themes:
- Philosophy of Mind, Political Philosophy or Philosophy of Science.
- A further text from Aristotle, Hume, Mill, Nietzsche, Russell or Ayer is studied in detail.
- Also, students complete an extended essay chosen from a list that changes each year. Students research the essay in advance and produce it in supervised class sessions.
Assessment
AS Module 1 - Theory of Knowledge: 1hr written paper - Summer Yr 12
AS Module 2 - Moral Philosophy: 1hr written paper - Summer Yr 12
AS Module 3 - Text (Descartes): 1hr written paper - Summer Yr 12
A2 Module 4 - Themes: 1hr written paper - Summer Yr 13
A2 Module 5 - Texts: 1hr written paper - Summer Yr 13
A2 Module 6 - Synoptic Study: Extended essay - Summer Yr 13
Career and Higher Education Opportunities
Philosophy can be studied in its own right but the intellectual skills developed during the A level course will facilitate independent thinking, based on critical examination of evidence and rational argument, which will be applicable to other academic study.
