PHILOSOPHY (AQA)

A2 Course Outline

What Is Philosophy at A2?

Philosophy At A2 students will further develop their understanding of key philosophical concepts, themes, texts and techniques. The A2 exams retain many of the features of the AS exams and yet students will be expected to display a greater depth of knowledge and understanding. Students will also be expected to relate their essays to areas covered in the first year of study.

Students will first learn about political philosophy. We will consider what purpose a state serves, the best way to organise a state, how much freedom we should allow citizens in such a state, what rights they should have and how we can best distribute goods.

We will then move on to moral philosophy. Here we will consider whether there are any moral truths; what do we really mean when way say that an act is good or bad? We will also look at the various ways in which might make our moral decisions.

Finally students will read Beyond Good and Evil, written by Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the most exciting philosophers in the modern, continental tradition. Here we will look at Nietzsche’s provocative views of truth, religion, morality and politics.

What Skills Will Students Develop When Studying Philosophy?

  • Philosophy will provide students with the necessary skills to produce original thought and to question received opinion.
  • Students will also learn how to examine information in a critical way as well as form judgements based on clear evaluation.
  • In addition, as an essay-based subject, there will be plenty of opportunity for students to develop an ability to provide clear expositions of difficult ideas as well as rigorous and sustained commentary.
  • Students will also have an opportunity to develop their reading skills when confronting challenging philosophical texts.

PHILOSOPHY (AQA Board) A2 Specification

Unit Three
120 minutes
100 marks
30% of A Level

Key Themes in Philosophy
This exam deals with:
-Philosophy of mind;
-Political philosophy;
-Epistemology and metaphysics;
-Moral philosophy;
-Philosophy of religion.

The question paper consists of ten questions: two questions on each theme. Each question is worth 50 marks. Candidates must answer two questions from two different sections (i.e. on two themes).
Available in June only.

Unit Four
90 minutes
60 marks
20% of A Level

An Introduction to Philosophy 2
This exam deals with:
-Hume;
-Plato;
-Mill;
-Descartes;
-Nietzsche;

The question paper consists of five questions: one question on each philosopher. Each question consists of two parts worth 15 and 45 marks. Candidates must answer one question.
Available in June only.

Structure of the Course
This course will be taught for 6 lessons per week. Homework will be set on a regular basis. Students will receive both class and revision notes but the reading of textbooks along with classic philosophical texts as an accompaniment is highly recommended.

Recommended Reading
An Introduction to Political Philosophy Wolff OUP, Oxford

Beyond Good and Evil Nietzsche Oxford World's Classics

Fees and Dates