Board: AQA
Syllabus: AS Level, A Level (2170)
About the subject
There are two main reasons people study philosophy. The first is simple curiosity. If the following questions, covered on the course, capture your interest then the subject could be for you:- How should we live our lives? Are we all just plugged into the Matrix? Could you have been born a cockroach? Are mind and body distinct? Are people ever really free? Is there a God? Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Why should we obey the law? Is capital punishment immoral? Do trees have rights? How can moral disagreements be rationally settled? What is truth? The second main reason people study philosophy is that many of the skills and abilities that are learned in philosophy are transferable, not just to other academic disciplines, but to other endeavours as well. This is partly because philosophy touches on so many other subjects, and partly because its methods are widely applicable to other areas of intellectual accomplishment. Communication skills, critical reasoning skills, and general problem-solving skills are all enhanced by work in philosophy. In addition, philosophy helps students develop sound methods of research and analysis.
Learning styles
Debate and discussion in either small or large groups and as a class will form part of every lesson. Written work also forms an important part of the learning process in the subject, through note taking, responses to short questions and timed essay writing – both in class and through regular homework. Students will also work on and deliver short presentations and take part in independent and group research. Videos and use of IT will also feature prominently on the course.
Subject Combinations and Progression
Philosophy combines well with any program of study and it is as common to find students studying Arts based A-levels enjoying and benefitting from the subject as it is to find students studying maths, sciences and humanities doing the same. Also many students find it an ideal balancing or complementing A-level as something different to go alongside the rest of their subjects if the other subjects are focused in one area.
An A-level in Philosophy is a good qualification for anyone going on to higher education
Subject Modules and Assessment
AS Level
Module 1: - An Introduction To Philosophy: reason and experience, Ethics : Why Should I Be Moral?
Written exam (50% AS, 25% A2)
Module 2: - An Introduction To Philosophy 2: Philosophy of Religion: The Idea of God, Philosophy of Art (Aesthetics)
Written exam (Assessment 50% AS, 25% A2)
A2 Level
Module 3: - Key Themes In Philosophy : Philosophy Of Mind, Metaphysics and Epistemology
Written exam (Assessment 25% A2)
Module 4: - Philosophical Problems : study of Descartes’ Meditations
Written exam (Assessment 25% A2)
Entry requirements
C in English Language