Peter Symonds College Prospectus 2014
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Critical ThinkingOCRCritical thinking is all about arguments; analysing, evaluating and creating them. Whatever your other subjects, the Critical Thinking course will help you to ask the right questions. Universities and employers like people who question effectively, think clearly and express themselves well. We offer Critical Thinking as an extra subject to run alongside your four main AS choices. It is delivered in two sessions a week for students with a high grade profile. There is minimal homework and coursework. This is a skills based subject which gives you a great opportunity to gain an extra AS/A2, that universities and employers value. AS Level The AS course consists of two examined units: Unit 1: Introduction to Critical Thinking An introduction to important skills within Critical Thinking, including an understanding of the building blocks of arguments. The unit also covers the area of credibility, and you will explore how the plausibility of an argument, or the evidence used to support it, can be influenced by its origin, be that a person or an organisation. We look at issues such as vested interest, reputation, expertise and bias and how they may impact on the credibility of the claims people make. Unit 2: Assessing and Developing Argument This unit builds on the skills developed in Unit 1. You will be asked to identify a wider range of argument components and to deconstruct the structure of more complex arguments. There is further development of your analytical skills but the main emphasis is on strengthening your evaluative ability. You will learn to identify flaws and to judge the relative strengths and weaknesses of arguments. You will also have extensive practise in constructing your own cogent, persuasive original arguments in response to the arguments of others. A2 LevelIn the second year of the course you will look at moral and ethical dilemmas, using a range of principles and moral and political philosophies to attempt to resolve those dilemmas. You will look at the use of rhetoric and the impact of a wider range of both formal and informal fallacies. You will also extend your reasoning skills by analysing and evaluating increasingly more complex material and writing much more sophisticated original arguments. Entry requirements for the fast-track course are a minimum of Grade A in English (Language or Literature) or History together with a minimum overall GCSE average of B or above. DanceAQAThis course provides an exciting opportunity to study dance as a specialist subject. You will need to have a dance background (see entry requirements) and have the confidence to perform solo as well as in a group. The course will develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of dance. AS LevelUnderstanding Dance In this unit you will study the theory behind the movement, which includes looking at the dancer as a performer and the ways that dancers keep themselves fit, healthy and safe. Most of your lessons in this unit will include practical activities with written assignments as homework. You will also look closely at a number of professional dance works and the best way to do this is by seeing them live. Over the year you will be taken to London theatres such as Sadler’s Wells and The Royal Opera House and also to local productions at The Point, Eastleigh. The performances will be in both Ballet and Contemporary styles in preparation for A2. Choreography and Performance This is a practical unit, where you will participate in technique classes, learn choreographic skills and develop your dance performance. You will take part in workshops with professional dance ompanies to expand your movement vocabulary and challenge your technical skills. In the past our students have worked with Adventures in Motion Pictures (Matthew Bourne’s company), Akram Khan Dance Company and Rambert Dance Company. You will create a solo performance using a starting point such as a poem, a piece of music or a picture and you will perform this yourself. You will also demonstrate your skills as a dancer in a group performance by creating a duo or trio for your practical examination. A2 LevelDance Appreciation - Content and Context You will extend your skills and knowledge in the second year by learning about one topic in depth, this will be the Royal Ballet 1956-1977. In particular, you will learn Macmillan’s Romeo and Juliet, Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardee and you will see the Royal Ballet perform live at The Royal Opera House. You will also study one dance in detail, Zero Degrees by Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and will participate in a workshop with Akram Khan Dance Company. Lessons for this unit will include practically learning elements of the repertoire and theoretically analysing the style of the choreography. Group Choreography and Solo Performance In the second year you will build on your technical and choreographic skills, but also incorporate the theoretical elements into a solo performance in the style of a professional choreographer. This could be in a Jazz, Ballet or Contemporary style. You will also create a group choreography using a similar starting point to the AS Solo and this will be for three to five dancers, but you will not perform in it yourself. Performances and Expectations Over the year you will perform your exam work to parents, perform at Open Evenings and will take part in the Symonds Dance Show. At AS you will also gain experience of the A2 course by dancing in their group performances. We encourage students to create dances themselves and these are always welcome in our shows. Due to the number of theatre trips, performances and workshops, we expect exceptional commitment from students who choose Dance A Level. Students who demonstrate outstanding potential, plus a serious interest in further training and a possible career in performing arts, may combine the Dance course with Performing Arts, Drama or the Specialist Music course, providing they demonstrate the extra commitment required for the range of extracurricular activities expected of them on each course. Students who wish to take on more than one Performance related course would be advised to consider this very carefully. Each performance subject, Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies and Performance Studies, will have its own pressures on time for rehearsals, performances, trips and workshops. This also has a financial implication as each course requires students to pay for trips and workshops in advance. Students should also be mindful that they are also limiting their options for HE courses in the future. However, if students still wish to combine two or more of these subjects it is possible and they need to see the course leader at enrolment.
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