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Original poster

Anyone know about GCSE Humanities?

11 replies

Martorana · 19/03/2014 18:37

I didn't know it existed til an hour ago. It looks interesting if a bit "bitty". Anyone?

OP posts:
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HmmAnOxfordComma · 19/03/2014 20:58

Yes I can see that.

Not sure how the current year 7s will fare under a three year KS4 if the syllabuses for all the other new GCSEs have barely been published. At least ours only have the new 'harder' core subjects.

HmmAnOxfordComma · 19/03/2014 20:56

Unacademic...

HmmAnOxfordComma · 19/03/2014 20:50

I imagine a generic Humanities GCSE would attract a reasonably in academic cohort, though.

Whereas Media Studies is very, very popular at the grammar I used to work at with the very studious but quite arty and opinionated kids.

Original poster
Martorana · 19/03/2014 20:49

I know- it seems insane choosing options in year 8! But I can see how it might work for a school like ds's- the vast majority of kids are middle to low ability, and a 3 year lead in to GCSEs, particularly the new exam based ones, will give them much more time to master skills and techniques.

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fourcorneredcircle · 19/03/2014 20:43

I did humanities way back when - I really enjoyed it because it gave me a basic understanding of social history, politics and UK/European/World history. I would have taken history but the multiple languages I wanted to study made my options limited to Humanities or Child Care. Whilst I'd still advocate it as a great choice I don't think it's a good pair with History - too little variety and potentially limiting for future courses etc. Unless your child is particularly academic (A* - A) media studies would make better sense. Be warned though that many C/D grade students take it as they see it as something easy - which can mean that stronger students can be left to their own devices too much.

HmmAnOxfordComma · 19/03/2014 20:43

:-)

I love ThreeBee's suggestion of a generic MFL qualification...in fact, am amazed it doesn't already exist.

Martorana, isn't your ds yr 8 like mine? Stop freaking me out talking about options! Ds will choose his next year. (Although I don't think there'll be much debate: triple science and French compulsory. He wants art and history and then might go with RS or a free period if we can wangle it!)

Original poster
Martorana · 19/03/2014 20:38

Thank you- that's what I think too. And it also goes with the Performing Arts BTec. OK decision made!

OP posts:
HmmAnOxfordComma · 19/03/2014 20:32

Had a quick look.

If he's already doing RS and History, I think I'd veer towards Media Studies. It can be quite rigorous and requires decent comprehension and analytic skills. Good complement to English.

Original poster
Martorana · 19/03/2014 20:14

It's an option- he's got his choice down to Media Studies or Humanities. Already doing History and RE- so Humanities might just be mor of the same. But he thinks the will be lots of like minded people in Humanities who like talking about stuff.

OP posts:
intheenddotcom · 19/03/2014 18:50

Not considered as 'academic' as separate humanities.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 19/03/2014 18:46

I know nothing about it, but I imagine it has the same amount of intellectual rigour as a single GCSE Science.
Perhaps they'll introduce GCSE MFL as an option; the curriculum could include a smattering of French, German & Spanish.