Philosophy A Level                              

 

Examination Board: AQA 

 

Who should take this course? 

 

  • Anyone planning a career that involves the ability to evaluate ideas and understand complex issues.
  • Anyone who enjoys questioning and debating issues of which there are no definitive answers.
  • Anyone who wishes to have a better understanding of communities and society.
  • Anyone who has ever thought about why people make the decisions and judgements that they do, particularly on matters of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.
  • Anyone who has ever asked themselves difficult questions, such as: What makes me ‘Me’? Why am I here? Is there a God? Is there life after death? What makes this right and that wrong? Why did they do that? 

 

What is the course about? 

 

  • This course is designed to introduce students to the key methods and concepts in philosophy through the study of four broad themes: Epistemology; Philosophy of Religion; Ethics; and Philosophy of Mind. Students will develop and refine a range of transferable skills, such as the ability to ask penetrating questions, to analyse and evaluate the arguments of others and to present their own arguments clearly and logically.

 

  • This philosophy specification asks these main questions:
    • What can we know?
    • Can the existence of God be proved?
    • How do we make moral decisions?
    • Are my mind and body separate?

 

  • You will have the opportunity to engage in detailed analysis of philosophical texts which should act as a springboard for your future reading and reflection. 

 

How is it assessed? 

  • There will be TWO exams at the end of the course. Each exam will be 3 hours and will be worth 50% of the final grade.
  • You can opt to do the AS qualification which will be one 3 hour exam worth 100% of the final grade. The content is the same as the Year 1 linear specification. 

 

Where will it take me?          

                                                                                                   

  • Philosophy A-Level is extremely well respected by colleges and universities.
  • Students could go on to study Philosophy, Religious Studies, Politics, History, Geography, Medicine, English, Theology, Psychology, Sociology, and many other subjects.