Is this the right subject for me?
If you are interested in the world and people around you, this is the subject for you. It helps you to make decisions for yourself on all sorts of issues. We always see information about things like the environment, fair trade and people’s rights across the world, but most of us find it hard to work out what’s right and wrong. Citizenship helps you to develop the skills you need to decide for yourself. You will investigate issues that really matter and work out what can be done about them. You will also learn skills in taking action and presenting cases.
What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking this course?
Citizenship studies is an exciting course to take for GCSE. It’s not just about sitting in classrooms but gets you out and about. You will be involved in community activity which you plan and organise. You will plan a campaign for an issue that you choose and really care about. The course builds on citizenship lessons from Years, 7, 8 and 9 and all sorts of things you have done before in English, Geography and History. We also visit Parliament so we can see first-hand where the Government make important decisions.
What will I learn?
If you are going to investigate current issues, you need to know how the world works. The course will help you to understand how an individual can change things, so it explores how we make laws, our place within the economy, what pressure groups do, and how we all relate to the rest of the world. The media are also important because they influence how we think – so we need to work out what their messages really mean. There is also a focus on communities, how we all live together, and our similarities and differences. The aim is to help you to understand and play a part in the world locally, nationally and internationally.
How will I be assessed?
Short Course
Examination 40% – Coursework 60%
One Exam Community activity
Full Course
Examination x 2
40% Coursework x 2 60%
* The first exam will test your knowledge and understanding of the material
* The second asks you to think about it from different points of view.
The coursework for the Full Course also involves running a campaign. This might be for something local or a much bigger issue like protesting about child labour or encouraging people to
They are based on real examples of things that are going on in the UK and further afield.
What can I do after I’ve completed the course?
You will learn lots of skills that will be useful in later life. Being able to see the world from other people’s points of view will always help you to understand what’s going on around you. The range of activities you will be involved in will help you to work with others and see the benefits of being part of a team – and even leading a team. You will learn to put a message together to persuade people of your point of view. There are lots of opportunities to put these skills to work when you reach 16.
Whatever you do next – A Levels, a Diploma or an apprenticeship – you will find that citizenship is an integral part of the course.
Next steps!
If you want to find out more, have a look at these websites. They show you the sort of things you could be doing if you take the course.
• Citizen X gives an overview of the issues you will be dealing with (www.bbc.co.uk/schools/citizenx).
• Oxfam give you examples of the international issues covered in the course (www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb).
• The Youth Parliament shows you how you can make a difference (www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk).
• This site has citizenship games – including developing a campaign, as you will be doing when you choose the Citizenship GCSE (www.demgames.org).
Also visit the Edexcel website (www.edexcel.com/gcse2009). This will give you up-to-date information about what you will be studying and how you’ll be assessed.
