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RSS  Discussion about A Level exams and choosing A Level courses, including VCEs.
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Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:19 #1 
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Default Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Yeah.. so basically that..
Can anyone answer me?
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Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:20 #2 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Short answer, yes.

At A-level it's not the most traditional but it's still academic and relatively well respected. Why?
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:21 #3 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
i would say yes
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:21 #4 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
I wouldn't say it's a traditional subject, but it's still fairly well respected.
 
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:22 #5 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by River85
Short answer, yes.

At A-level it's not the most traditional but it's still academic and relatively well respected. Why?

Well.. i wanna do Medicine and i thought they'd prefer more academic subjects..
I'm still deciding whether to drop Maths or Politics.. but now i think more likely to be Maths.

Yes, A Level on Edexcel (dont know if that makes a difference)
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:22 #6 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
I don't think it's a traditional academic subject at A-Level, but still quite well-respected, I think.
 
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:25 #7 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by Sprout_hair
Well.. i wanna do Medicine and i thought they'd prefer more academic subjects..
I'm still deciding whether to drop Maths or Politics.. but now i think more likely to be Maths.

Yes, A Level on Edexcel (dont know if that makes a difference)
well for medicine UNIs would prefer maths than politics. what other subs do u do along with maths/politics?
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:27 #8 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
The A2 looks quite hard, but from what I've seen of the AS, it looks passable without even studying the subject. Questions about the role of parties and democracy are surely obvious for most intelligent students to explain...
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:29 #9 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by life is beautiful
well for medicine UNIs would prefer maths than politics. what other subs do u do along with maths/politics?

Not necessarily. Not at all, really. Politics, English Lit, Biology and Chemistry wouldn't be a great deal better than maths, biology, english lit and chemsitry. If better at all.

If you're unsure OP, and feel you'll be strong at maths (A grade candidate) and play the safe card and go with maths. However, if you've got an interest in politics, have two or three other strong subjects then go ahead (especially if you don't think you will get an A in maths).
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:33 #10 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
I would have to say no, there have been lists published by universities such as Cambridge of A level subjects they do not see as 'acceptable' if you like and Politcs is one of them. My rule is if you have to ask then chances are it isnt! Because no one would ask if Maths or English were academic subjects but Politcs/Law etc are shady.
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:40 #11 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by QBC123
I would have to say no, there have been lists published by universities such as Cambridge of A level subjects they do not see as 'acceptable' if you like and Politcs is one of them. My rule is if you have to ask then chances are it isnt! Because no one would ask if Maths or English were academic subjects but Politcs/Law etc are shady.

The list below details the A level subjects that together provide a less effective preparation for our courses
.
Accounting
Art and Design (see also Architecture)
Business Studies (see also Economics)
Communication Studies
Dance
Design and Technology (see also Engineering)
Drama/Theatre Studies
Film Studies
Health and Social Care
Home Economics
Information and Communication Technology
Leisure Studies
Media Studies
Music Technology
Performance Studies
Performing Arts
Photography
Physical Education
Sports Studies
Travel and Tourism
 
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:48 #12 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Yes, Politics is a very academic subject. Oxbridge love it and it is seen by many people as one of the hardest A Level subjects due to the amount of hard facts you need to remember to do well in it.

Last edited by the_real_man : 13-07-2008 at 09:26.

Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 17:57 #13 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by Demoskratos7
The A2 looks quite hard, but from what I've seen of the AS, it looks passable without even studying the subject. Questions about the role of parties and democracy are surely obvious for most intelligent students to explain...


I did it. The AS level is pretty easy. Once you get the exam technique sorted (basically don;t write too much)and memorised a few examples your sorted. The Jump to A2 is massive though and its much more academic. My politics teacher said that AS level was just above gcse and A2 lvl just below first year uni.
 
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 20:04 #14 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
OP, perhaps Maths would be better for Medicine, but Politics is a decent subject.
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 20:07 #15 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by DaveJ
OP, perhaps Maths would be better for Medicine, but Politics is a decent subject.

Variety is the spice of life. Maths isn't necessary more of an advantage to medicine as politics is.
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 20:09 #16 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by River85
Variety is the spice of life. Maths isn't necessary more of an advantage to medicine as politics is.

Well I'd have thought 3 sci/math and 1 humanity would be better than 2 and 2, but I have no hard facts on the issue, so it was just my own opinion really.
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 20:15 #17 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by DaveJ
Well I'd have thought 3 sci/math and 1 humanity would be better than 2 and 2, but I have no hard facts on the issue, so it was just my own opinion really.

There's really no need to study all sciences (I'm including maths as science). If taking only three A-levels two sciences (usually chemistry and biology) plus one art/humanity/social science will be fine. If you take four then, yes, even just two sciences will do. There's no reason why, on the basis of subjects alone, a med applicant will be disadvantaged by taking chemistry, biology, politics and history than if they took the two sciences plus maths/physics and English lit.

Obviously there may arguably be stronger subjects than politics for a prospective med applicant. I'm just saying that if the other subjects are solid enough and the OP thinks she'll get an A in it if especially if its a fourth subject then I think she shouldn't be dissauded.
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 20:20 #18 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Definitely. Its not too popular which is a shame cos its more interesting than people think. And I tell you what, no one can say the exams and revising is "soft". It doesnt feel soft to me haha.
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 20:23 #19 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by Demoskratos7
The A2 looks quite hard, but from what I've seen of the AS, it looks passable without even studying the subject. Questions about the role of parties and democracy are surely obvious for most intelligent students to explain...

I found politics to be my most difficult A-Level, after Philosophy, and I'm 'intelligent' (to use Demoskratos' term). It is definitely interesting, and is a respected subject from universities' point of view. It's not necessarily the most relevant to medicine, but it would demonstrate a broad range of abilities and interests beyond the purely 'scientific'.
 
Old 11-07-2008: 11th July 2008 20:34 #20 
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Default Re: Does Politics count as an academic subject?
 
Originally Posted by Milady de Winter
I found politics to be my most difficult A-Level, after Philosophy.

You found philosophy difficult (or your most difficult subject, at least)? Without going off topic too much which exam board and specification was it?
 
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