BUSINESS STUDIES
AIMS
The syllabus is intended to lead to courses that will encourage students:
1. To understand and appreciate the nature and scope of business, and its role in society.
2. To develop critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value.
3. To be aware that business behaviour can be studied from a range of stakeholders including customer, manager, creditor, owner/shareholder and employee.
4. To be aware of the economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, social and technological issues associated with business activity.
5. To develop skills in:
" decision-making and problem solving in the light of evaluation;
" the quantification and management of information, where appropriate;
" effective communication.
ASSESSMET OBJECTIVES
Candidates are expected to demonstrate the following skills:
1. Knowledge and critical understanding of the specified content
2. Application of this knowledge and critical understanding to problems and issues which are from both familiar and unfamiliar situations
3. Analysis of problems, issues and situations by
" distinguishing between statements of fact, statements of value and hypothetical statements;
" making valid inferences from material presented;
" examining the implications of a hypothesis;
" organising ideas;
" making valid generalisations.
ECONOMICS
AIMS
The syllabus is intended to encourage courses that will:
1. Provide a basis of factual knowledge of economics,
2. Encourage the development in the student of:
" a facility for self-expression, not only in writing but also in using additional aids such as statistics and diagrams where appropriate,
" the habit of using works of reference as sources of data specific to economics,
" the habit of reading critically to gain information about the changing economy in which we live,
" an appreciation of the methods of study used by the economist and of the most effective ways in which economic data may be analysed, correlated, discussed and presented.
ASSESSMET OBJECTIVES
Candidates are expected to:
1. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING of the specified content,
2. INTERPRET economic information presented in verbal, numerical or graphical form,
3. EXPLAIN AND ANALYSE economic issues and arguments, using relevant economic concepts, theories and information,
4. EVALUATE economic information, arguments, proposals and policies, taking into consideration relevant information and theory, and distinguishing facts from hypothetical statements and value judgements,
5. ORGANISE, PRESENT AND COMMUNICATE economic ideas and informed judgements in a clear, logical and appropriate form.
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
AIMS
To encourage:
1. An appreciation of, and an informed personal response to literature in English in a range of texts in different forms, and from different periods and cultures.
2. The interdependent skills of reading, analysis and communication.
3. Effective and appropriate communication.
4. Wider reading and an understanding of how it may contribute to personal development.
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
Candidates will be required to demonstrate:
" Ability to respond to texts in the three main forms (Prose, Poetry, and Drama) of different types and from different cultures.
" Understanding of the ways in which writers' choices of form, structure and language shape meanings.
" Ability to produce informed, independent opinions and judgements on literary texts.
" Ability to communicate clearly the knowledge, understanding and insight appropriate to literary study
" Ability to appreciate and discuss varying options of literary works.
MATHEMATICS
AIMS
This specification encourages candidates to:
1. Develop an understanding of mathematical principles and an appreciation Mathematics as a logical and coherent subject;
2. Develop the ability to analyse problems logically and to recognize when and how a situation may be represented mathematically;
3. Acquire a range of mathematical skills, particularly those which will enable them to use applications of Mathematics in the context of everyday situations and of other subjects they may be studying;
4. Acquire the mathematical background necessary for further study in this or related subjects;
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
Candidates will be required to:
1. Understand relevant mathematical concepts, terminology and notation;
2. Recall accurately and use successfully appropriate manipulative techniques;
3. Recognize the appropriate mathematical procedure for a given situation;
4. Apply combinations of mathematical skills and techniques in solving problems;
5. Present mathematical work, and communicate conclusions, in a clear and logical way;
PSYCHOLOGY
AIMS
The course in Psychology aims:
1. To provide an introduction to psychological concepts, theories, research findings, and applications.
2. To create an understanding of the range and limitations of psychological theory and practice.
3. To encourage students to explore and understand the relationship between psychological findings and everyday life.
4. To develop skills of analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation.
5. To promote an appreciation and understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity.
6. To develop an understanding of ethical issues in psychology including the moral and ethical implications of psychological research.
7. To explore and understand the relationship between psychological findings and social, cultural and contemporary issues.
8. To study psychological principles, perspectives and applications.
9. To encourage the development of the skill of communication.
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
Candidates should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological theories, terminology, concepts, studies and methods in the areas of cognitive, social, physiological and developmental psychology, and the psychology of individual differences;
2. Express knowledge and understanding in a clear and effective manner;
3. Analyse and evaluate psychological theories, terminology, concepts, studies and methods in the areas of cognitive, social, physiological and developmental psychology, and the psychology of individual differences;
4. Apply psychological theories, concepts and studies to practical situations, everyday life and to the experience of the student.
SOCIOLOGY
AIMS
The course in Sociology aims to:
1. Develop a critical awareness and critical thinking of the nature of the sociological perspective.
2. Acquire knowledge and understanding of the sociological methods. We should encourage candidates to explore and understand the relationship between sociological findings and everyday life.
3. Acquireknowledgement and understanding of the social differentiation and stratification.
4. Develop candidates'personal effectiveness through a critical awareness of events and to refer them to as a matter of the scientific discipline Sociology.
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
Candidates should be able to:
1. Provide definitions and explanations of relevant sociological terms and concepts;
2. Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of relevant principles, theories, and methods;
3. Demonstrate awareness of relevant sociological arguments, debates and issues;
Interpretation and Application
4. Interpret sociological material presented in a variety of forms, including qualitative and quantitative data;
5. Recognise the special character of sociological knowledge and distinguish it from the knowledge and understanding produced by other academic subjects such as biology and psychology
