Chapters
- 01. History
- 02. Geography
- 03. Religious Education
- 04. Citizenship
- 05. Sociology
- 06. Why Study Humanities?
If you enjoy any of the humanities-based subjects, a GCSE in Humanities could be just what you need. GCSE Humanities covers the classics such as History and Geography and the more recent Citizenship and Sociology. Humanities is an umbrella term which refers to those subjects which are concerned largely with humans. Better said, this course delves deep into the culture and how people express themselves within society. Humanities is a broad
The study of humanities encompasses a wide variety of disciplines which include the following:
- Philosophy: Study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, and language
- Religion: Exploration of beliefs, practices, rituals, and traditions related to spirituality and faith
- Foreign Languages: Acquisition and study of languages other than one's native language, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural contexts
- History: Examination of past events, societies, cultures, and civilizations through chronological analysis and historical methods
- Geography: Study of Earth's landscapes, environments, features, and human interactions with the physical world, including topics like climate, landforms, ecosystems, and cultural geography
- Sociology: Study of human society, social behaviour, interactions, institutions, cultures, societal issues and social change
- Religious Education: Study of religious beliefs, teachings, ethics, and practices within educational contexts
- Citizenship: Examination of rights, responsibilities, duties, and participation in society as citizens, including topics like governance, law, politics, and civic engagement
- Language Arts: This includes the study of literature, writing, oratory and poetry
- Performing Arts: This includes the study of theatre, music and dance
- Visual Arts: This includes the study of painting, sculpture, photography, and filmmaking
Note that the Humanities GCSE incorporates only the following humanities disciplines:
- Geography
- Sociology
- History
- Citizenship
- Religious Education
As a result, you will learn about a broad range of topics should you decide to study a Humanities subject. You’ll be able to gain a deeper appreciation of the history of humanity, how people interact with society and what makes a good citizen. You'll also understand why people turn to religion. This is a great subject area for anyone fascinated with human behaviour and individuals' motivations on a societal and global scale.
What will I Study in GCSE Humanities?
GCSE Humanities is a mixture of all of the humanities topics: History, Geography, Religious Education, Citizenship, and Sociology. Each subject covers a different aspect of what it means to be human. In History, you'll get a retrospective look at where we’ve come from. By contrast, the Sociology course shows a current investigation into societal behaviour.
This course presents many real-world examples for each of these Humanities topics. You will be able to relate to what your texts describe and analyse events with a critical eye. You'll build skills which can help you better understand people and the world around you. Each topic presents case studies and examples to challenge ideas you currently hold about the world.
GCSE Humanities arms you with skills that will serve you well later in life. If you’re keen to develop your public speaking skills, Humanities courses are some of the best subjects to consider. Historically, Humanities were all about debate and oration. So you'll likely find yourself taking to the stage to present your arguments in class or engaging in a debate.
Superprof wants to give you a clear idea of what you can expect from each Humanities topic. In this article, we’re going to present a brief overview of each to help you make an informed decision. That way, come time to choose your GCSE subjects, you won't hesitate to select Humanities GCSE.
History
GCSE History requires you to think critically and analyse past events and their connection to the modern-day world. You’ll go back in time to the Tudors and Normans, covering everything from the famous battle of 1066. As the course progresses, you'll advance to the Cold War. You will explore the British Empire in great depth.
If you’ve ever been curious about how people used to live, a History GCSE could be right up your street. "But everything's been said and done already" you might argue. That's the most common History course criticism - why dwell on the past? So we can learn from past mistakes and breakthroughs.
Even the global pandemic of 2020 that knocked the world to its knees isn’t something new. Pandemics and deadly epidemics have happened many times before. What you read about in History textbooks may sound crazy and farfetched but much of it echoes in parts of the world today. As the famous Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius would often remind himself, ‘all of this has happened before’.
Geography
Geography studies the physical environment and our interaction with it. If you’re curious about natural landscapes and what the soil can tell us, this is the course for you. And what about understanding the reasons behind global warming? If this is you, consider a GCSE in Geography.
In this subject, you’ll study natural processes that occur around the world. You'll also learn about urban geography and how people tackle urban issues and resource management. If you want a career in climate or environmental science, you should choose this GCSE.
Religious Education
Religious Education offers a detailed examination of various religious traditions and schools. It teaches you about world religions, including Christianity. If you’re interested in learning more about some of the most revered religions of the world, this a great GCSE. You’ll learn all about the traditions and practices that are unique to each religion, as well as overlaps among them.
Citizenship
Citizenship is all about democracy, law, and how government operates. This course will help you develop a keen understanding of exactly how countries are managed. What does it mean to live in a democracy? How does one become civic-minded?
This GCSE is for anyone aspiring to a career as a civil servant or lawyer. You might just be interested in what those workers do and how government branches work. Indeed, everyone should take more interest in government doings, shouldn't they?
Sociology
Sociology is one of the 'youngest' Humanities subjects. It concerns itself with all of the social structures underpinning pretty much any society. This includes in-depth studies of the family unit, crime, and education in society.
Sociology will teach you more about your place in society and how every part of society functions. It’s a great subject to study if you’re interested in people’s motivations within society. Studying Sociology will reveal the glue that holds civilization together.
Why Study Humanities?
Now you have a better idea of what exactly Humanities encompasses at the GCSE level, you can answer the all-important question: why study it? Because Humanities subjects offer variety. There’s bound to be something for you in Humanities studies if you are interested in human lives and interactions. You set yourself in good stead to better understand the world we live in if you choose multiple Humanities subjects.
Some subjects will overlap with others. For example, a study module on Conflict and cooperation would involve Citizenship, History, and Religious Education. Studying Native Religions will touch on aspects of Geography. These connections will open your eyes to new facets of the human experience and will keep the subject from becoming stale or boring.
Relevance in Society
Humanities studies have enormous relevance to today’s society. Throughout these GCSE subjects, you will cover topics concerning many contemporary issues. You'll explore “euthanasia, animal rights, crime and punishment and life after death” (AQA website). So if you enjoy subjects important to live today, you will find this a rewarding GCSE.
Flexibility
GCSE Humanities is a very flexible course; you get to choose your examples, case studies, and issues to focus on. This allows you to deepen your knowledge of the topics you’re interested in. Also, you can develop an idea of which subjects you may want to pursue at a higher level.
For instance, if you study Geography, you might become fascinated with volcanos and rivers. Would you choose one of these topics for a case study instead of another aspect of the subject like resource management? How about History, where you can focus on the epoch most interesting to you and get to know it in depth?
Different Styles of Learning
Each of the Humanities subjects at the GCSE level encourages both group work and independent learning. You will participate in group projects but you will also be allowed to work independently to develop your decision-making skills. Learning how to work alone and cooperating with a group are both important skills.
Always working on your means you’re missing out on the real-world benefits of collaborating with others. When doing project work, you get to hear different perspectives on an issue. That makes the subject more entertaining to learn since there’ll be plenty of variation in how you approach the material.
Engage with the Material
Most GCSEs Humanities give you the chance to participate in debates. This exciting activity will improve the way you articulate your ideas and help you to develop your own opinions concerning world issues. Admittedly, you might not feel confident enough to contribute very often. Still, the process of listening to other people’s opinions will allow you to reflect on their viewpoints and develop your critical thinking skills.
They say that public speaking is one of the most useful skills to have in life. So if you can successfully defend your points of view in a room full of people you’ll set yourself up well for your future career. And what a way to build self-confidence!
Wider Knowledge of the World
In every one of the GCSE Humanities subjects, you will gain a broad understanding of the world around you. This course covers historical topics, issues in today’s society, and ethical questions. By the end of your studies, you will understand a variety of concepts, issues, and debates relevant to society and the world in general.
If any of the Humanities GCSEs sound like they might be right for you, consider talking to a teacher or tutor about your options. Each subject is very rewarding in its way; you’ll feel like you’ve learned a lot by the end of the course. Many students find GCSE Humanities an exciting, relevant, and flexible course. Now, you only need the right study resources for your GCSE options!
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Hi Samuel, this sounds really interesting, do you know which exam boards currently offer this GCSE in combined Humanities?