Syllabus aims and assessment objectives Description of components

7 Cambridge International AS Level General Paper 8004. Syllabus for examination in 2017 and 2018.

4. Syllabus aims and assessment objectives

4.1 Syllabus aims The aims of the Cambridge International AS Level General Paper are to: • Promote the skills of rational thought, persuasion, analysis, interpretation and evaluation. • Promote maturity of thought and clarity of expression. • Encourage the broad exploration and appraisal of social, cultural, economic, environmental, political, philosophical, scientiic and technological issues. • Promote understanding and appreciation of individual, societal and cultural diversity. • Encourage independent, critical reading. 4.2 Assessment objectives In the Cambridge International AS Level General Paper syllabus, assessment objectives relate to the skills of: • evaluation • understanding • analysis • application • communication • knowledge. In the assessment, candidates should therefore be able to demonstrate: • The ability to identify, select and interpret, through reasoned consideration, material including knowledge appropriate to a speciic task. • The ability to apply knowledge, understanding and analysis in relation to a speciic task e.g. in drawing inferences, providing explanations, constructing and developing arguments, understanding the implications of a suggested course of action or conclusion, etc.. • The ability to exercise evaluation and discrimination in assessing evidence, ideas and opinions in order to formulate a supported conclusion. • The ability to communicate information, ideas and opinions in a clear, concise, logical and appropriate manner. • Knowledge and understanding in relation to the topic areas identiied in the syllabus. • Knowledge of methods and techniques appropriate to a speciic task. 8 Cambridge International AS Level General Paper 8004. Syllabus for examination in 2017 and 2018.

5. Description of components

5.1 Topic areas and question focus Topic areas are cross-curricular and comprehensive, and some may appear in more than one section. Teachers do not need to cover all the topic areas when teaching the course, as candidates should be able to draw upon knowledge and understanding gained when studying other subjects. The areas for consideration listed here are suggestions only. They are intended to help teachers devise and plan their own broad course. Section 1: Historical, social, economic, political and philosophical topics Possible areas for consideration might include: • The role of history and war; terrorism. • The role of the individual in society – the family, marriage, peer pressure, class. • Cultural changes – youth and drug culture. • Education and welfare. • Sport, leisure, international competition. • Wealth; changes in work practice. • The importance and impact of tourism on a country – implications for the economy, employment, public transport, environmental concerns. • The provision and politics of aid. • The State and its institutions; development of State, democracy, post-imperialism, nationalism. • Minority groups, pressure groups. • Freedom of speech, action, thought. • Judiciary. • Matters of conscience, faith, tolerance, equality, opportunity. • Corruption. Section 2: Science, including its history, philosophy, general principles and applications; environmental issues; mathematical topics Possible areas for consideration might include: • Medical dilemmas and issues of research and ethics; concept of progress in science. • Drug manufacture and provision. • Diet, health education. • Old and new industries. • Spin-offs from space industry; weaponry. • Information and communications technology; the internet. • Environmental concerns; renewable energy resources; climate change. • Migration; population dynamics. • Feeding the global population; farming techniques for the twenty-irst century. • Public transport and travel. • The uses and applications of mathematics in everyday life. 9 Cambridge International AS Level General Paper 8004. Syllabus for examination in 2017 and 2018. Section 3: Literature and language, arts and crafts Possible areas for consideration might include: • Literature, biography, diary, science iction. • Language – heritage, tradition, dialect. • The global media – tv, radio, satellite; inluence and controls; effects on lifestyle, culture and habits; cultural dilution and diversiication; advertising; role models. • Censorship; privacy; the right to know; freedom of the press, etc. uses and abuses. • Traditional arts and crafts; creativity; national heritagepreservation; effects of tourism. • Architecture; painting; fashion; photography; sculpture; music; heritage. Questions are general in nature, demanding discussion and evaluation. In awarding marks, examiners will assess how well candidates have: • Used their specialised knowledge to answer questions on the broad aspects of school subjects. • Discussed general topics which are not directly related to school subjects. • Used the English language. Nb Questions are not set on every topic in any single examination. 10 Cambridge International AS Level General Paper 8004. Syllabus for examination in 2017 and 2018. 5.2 Level descriptors for essay marking Use of English level 1 Highly luent. Very effective use of expressionsidioms. Excellent use of vocabulary. Near faultless grammar. Excellent sentence structure and organisation of paragraphs. Very few slipserrors. Excellent spellingpunctuation. level 2 Fluent. Effective use of expressionsidioms. Good use of vocabulary. Sound grammar. Good sentence structurewell-organised paragraphs. Few slipserrors. Good spellingpunctuation. level 3 Reasonably luentnot dificult to follow. Generally appropriate use of expressionsidioms. Fair range and apt use of basic vocabulary. Acceptable grammar. Simple but adequate sentence structureparagraphing. Some slipserrors, but acceptable standard overall. Reasonable spellingpunctuation. level 4 Hesitant luencynot easy to follow at times. Some inappropriate expressionsidioms. Limited range of vocabulary. Faulty grammar. Some lawed sentence structureparagraphing. Regular and frequent slipserrors. Regular spellingpunctuation errors. level 5 Littleno luencydificult almost impossible to follow. Very poor use of expressionsidioms. Very poor range of vocabulary. Very poor grammar. Very poor sentence structureparagraphing. Almost every line contains many slipserrors. Very poor spellingpunctuation. 11 Cambridge International AS Level General Paper 8004. Syllabus for examination in 2017 and 2018. Content level 1 Excellent focus: totally relevant and comprehensive coverage, perceptive, strongly analytical. Coherent and engaging discussion displaying sensitivity, sophistication, awareness and maturity. Thoughtful, enlightening illustration using local, national and international examples to support key points. Very well structured. level 2 Totally near totally relevant and good coverage, but less analytical and perceptive than Level 1. Arguments well developed and discussion logical, but always sustained. Very good range of examplesillustration to support key points. Effectively structured. level 3 uPPER Largely focused on the question and relevant; reasonable coverage; fairly analytical. Major points adequately developed. Reasonable range of examplesillustration to support key points. Reasonably structured. level 3 lOWER Less focus; less analysis and its quality more patchy. Points mentioned rather than adequately developed. Some digression, but generally sticks to the question. Does not always support major points with apt illustration. Tendency to assertgeneralise rather than arguediscuss in detail. May lack focus. level 4 Limited focus and relevance may be implicit tangential; little analysis. Limited argument that may be unsubstantiated; restricted materialscope; ideas vague and undeveloped. Limited examplesillustration to support anything. An attempt at a structure. level 5 Little if any relevance; no analysis. Very vague; totally inadequate content with littleno substance. Very littleno appropriate examplesillustration. Very littleno structure. 12 Cambridge International AS Level General Paper 8004. Syllabus for examination in 2017 and 2018.

6. Other information