Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies
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Course 1CS0
Course version · 1CS0Version from Sept 2016Change version
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38 topics
Living together in the UK8 topics
1 The changing UK population
Theme A: 1 The changing UK population1 objective2 Migration and its impact
Theme A: 2 Migration and its impact2 objectives3 Respect and understanding
Theme A: 3 Respect and understanding2 objectives4 Identity
Theme A: 4 Identity2 objectives5 Rights, duties and values that underpin democracy
Theme A: 5 Rights, duties and values that underpin democracy4 objectives6 Development of human rights
Theme A: 6 Development of human rights2 objectives7 Citizens and local government
Theme A: 7 Citizens and local government1 objective8 Paying for local services
Theme A: 8 Paying for local services1 objective
Democracy at work in the UK8 topics
1 Parties and candidates
Theme B: 1 Parties and candidates2 objectives2 Elections and voting systems
Theme B: 2 Elections and voting systems3 objectives3 Forming and organising the work of government
Theme B: 3 Forming and organising the work of government2 objectives4 The Westminster Parliament
Theme B: 4 The Westminster Parliament3 objectives5 Making and shaping law
Theme B: 5 Making and shaping law1 objective6 The Constitution
Theme B: 6 The Constitution3 objectives7 Government in constituent parts of the UK
Theme B: 7 Government in constituent parts of the UK2 objectives8 Taxation and government spending
Theme B: 8 Taxation and government spending3 objectives
Law and justice8 topics
1 The role of law in everyday life in dealing with complex problems
Theme C: 1 The role of law in everyday life in dealing with complex problems3 objectives2 Principles and sources of law
Theme C: 2 Principles and sources of law3 objectives3 Civil and criminal law
Theme C: 3 Civil and criminal law2 objectives4 The justice system in England and Wales
Theme C: 4 The justice system in England and Wales3 objectives5 Courts and tribunals
Theme C: 5 Courts and tribunals3 objectives6 Youth justice
Theme C: 6 Youth justice1 objective7 Crime and society
Theme C: 7 Crime and society2 objectives8 Sentences and punishment
Theme C: 8 Sentences and punishment1 objective
Power and influence8 topics
1 Citizen participation in politics and society
Theme D: 1 Citizen participation in politics and society4 objectives2 The role of groups and organisations in democratic society
Theme D: 2 The role of groups and organisations in democratic society4 objectives3 The role of the media and a free press
Theme D: 3 The role of the media and a free press1 objective4 Rights and responsibilities of the media
Theme D: 4 Rights and responsibilities of the media2 objectives5 The use of the media for influence
Theme D: 5 The use of the media for influence1 objective6 The UK’s role and relations with Europe
Theme D: 6 The UK’s role and relations with Europe2 objectives7 The UK’s role in the rest of the world
Theme D: 7 The UK’s role in the rest of the world1 objective8 Rights and responsibilities in challenging global situations
Theme D: 8 Rights and responsibilities in challenging global situations4 objectives
Taking citizenship action6 topics
Stage 1 Identify an issue, form a team and carry out initial research
Theme E: Stage 1 Identify an issue, form a team and carry out initial research4 objectives2 Undertake primary research
Theme E: 2 Undertake primary research3 objectivesStage 3 Represent their own and different points of view
Theme E: Stage 3 Represent their own and different points of view3 objectives4 Plan the action
Theme E: 4 Plan the action3 objectivesStage 5 Apply skills of collaboration, negotiation and influence as they deliver the activity
Theme E: Stage 5 Apply skills of collaboration, negotiation and influence as they deliver the activity2 objectivesStage 6 Critically evaluate their learning and the impact of the action
Theme E: Stage 6 Critically evaluate their learning and the impact of the action3 objectives
Assessment and exam guidance
What Gets Top Grades
A*/Grade 9
Knowledge & Understanding
Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge
- Uses correct subject-specific terminology
- Shows detailed understanding of concepts
- Makes accurate connections between topics
- Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge
Application
Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts
- Selects relevant knowledge for the question
- Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
- Uses examples appropriately
- Shows awareness of context
Analysis & Evaluation
Develops sophisticated analytical arguments
- Constructs logical chains of reasoning
- Considers multiple perspectives
- Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
- Acknowledges limitations and nuances
Key Command Words
Pearson Edexcel
State
1 mark
Give a single fact or term
Identify
1 mark
Name, select, or recognise
Outline
2 marks
Set out main features briefly
Describe
2-4 marks
Give an account of what something is like or what happens
Explain
3-6 marks
Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains
Compare
2-4 marks
State similarities AND differences (both required)
Analyse
6-9 marks
Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains
Evaluate
6-12 marks
Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion
Assess
6-12 marks
Make judgments about importance with justification
Calculate
2-4 marks
Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units
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