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Do you think certain 'soft' subjects should be abolished?

1. Should 'soft' subjects be abolished? At GCSE? At A-Level? Even at university?

2. Should any subjects be compulsory until university?

3. Should we limit students to one 'soft' subject?

By 'soft' subjects I mean Drama, Food Tech, Media Studies, Sociology etc. Get debating!

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(edited 6 years ago)

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Original post by Edminzodo
I don't want to sound like a snob but there are some subjects I think are so pointless and won't get you anywhere in life.

1. Should 'soft' subjects be abolished? At GCSE? At A-Level? Even at university?

2. Should any subjects be compulsory until university?

3. Should we limit students to one 'soft' subject?

Get debating!

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What are these pointless/soft subjects?
Original post by AmyPilot
What are these pointless/soft subjects?


Sociology, Media Studies, Drama, Food Tech etc.

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GCSE FOOD TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE ABOLISHED. STUPID, POINTLESS AND USELESS SUBJECT. I HATE IT SO MUCH

rant over.
Original post by thechemistress
GCSE FOOD TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE ABOLISHED. STUPID, POINTLESS AND USELESS SUBJECT. I HATE IT SO MUCH

rant over.


Thank you! :yy:

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Original post by Edminzodo
I don't want to sound like a snob but there are some subjects I think are so pointless and won't get you anywhere in life.

1. Should 'soft' subjects be abolished? At GCSE? At A-Level? Even at university?

2. Should any subjects be compulsory until university?

3. Should we limit students to one 'soft' subject?

Get debating!

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I think the general consensus on TSR is that all non-STEM subjects should be abolished.


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I do think maths is really important though. I think everybody should do some form of maths up to the age of 18. Whether that is A-Level maths or some other foundation maths qualification is irrelevant- even the tiniest bit of maths will help. I was watching a YouTube video the other day and the youtubers couldn't even work out 7 × 8 ?!?! It's scary that such a large proportion of the population can't do basic maths.
Original post by Asklepios
I think the general consensus on TSR is that all non-STEM subjects should be abolished.


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Which is, of course, nonsense. We'd miss the history documentaries.


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Original post by Asklepios
I think the general consensus on TSR is that all non-STEM subjects should be abolished.


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I think languages are extremely important.

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Original post by thechemistress
I do think maths is really important though. I think everybody should do some form of maths up to the age of 18. Whether that is A-Level maths or some other foundation maths qualification is irrelevant- even the tiniest bit of maths will help. I was watching a YouTube video the other day and the youtubers couldn't even work out 7 × 8 ?!?! It's scary that such a large proportion of the population can't do basic maths.


Exactly! If almost half of Y11s are getting under a C at GCSE Maths, what hope do we have?

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GCSEs aren't just for the 10-15% lucky enough to go on to a RG university, they're for everyone (hence the General), and if you want to work in catering or something it seems daft to replace Food Tech with, say, extra History.

For subjects like Sociology, Drama etc. you could just make them harder? These are proper academic subjects studied at decent univerities, there are undoubtedly Sociology exams out there you wouldn't have prayer of doing well in (the Sociology modules of HSPS at Cam for example), so there is scope to make them as difficult as, say English GCSE, or indeed considerably more difficult should the exam boards so wish.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by Edminzodo
I think languages are extremely important.

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The only A level subject which can be immediately helpful.


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Original post by William Turtle
The only A level subject which can be immediately helpful.


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Exactly. Within three Japanese lessons, I could tell the time and order in McDonald's!

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Original post by Edminzodo
Sociology, Media Studies, Drama, Food Tech etc.

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That's me out then - I did sociology!

Don't see relevance of drama and dance etc but that's because they don't interest me.

At GCSE I was forced to do a tech subjects - opted for graphics - now that was a waste of my time but suppose it depends what you want to do in the future.

We are all different - would be boring if we all did the same things.

What subjects do/did you study?
Original post by Le Nombre
GCSEs aren't just for the 10-15% lucky enough to go on to a RG university, they're for everyone (hence the General), and if you want to work in catering or something it seems daft to replace Food Tech with, say, extra History.

For subjects like Sociology, Drama etc. you could just make them harder? These are proper academic subjects studeid at decent univerities, there are undoubtedly Sociology exams out there you wouldn't have prayer of doing well in (the Sociology modules of HSPS at Cam for example), so there is scope to make them as difficult as, say English GCSE, or indeed considerably more difficult should the exam boards so wish.


Food tech isn't going to help anyone becoming a chef. Good vocational qualifications are what would be useful there.


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Original post by Le Nombre
GCSEs aren't just for the 10-15% lucky enough to go on to a RG university, they're for everyone (hence the General), and if you want to work in catering or something it seems daft to replace Food Tech with, say, extra History.

For subjects like Sociology, Drama etc. you could just make them harder? These are proper academic subjects studeid at decent univerities, there are undoubtedly Sociology exams out there you wouldn't have prayer of doing well in (the Sociology modules of HSPS at Cam for example), so there is scope to make them as difficult as, say English GCSE, or indeed considerably more difficult should the exam boards so wish.


The problem with Sociology is that it's too specialised for GCSE and A-Level. Sociology is about performing one's own research, and any criticsm of another's work is going to be complex. That just can't be expressed below degree level without it being an excersize in regurgitation. This is why we should remove A-Level Sociology.
Original post by William Turtle
Food tech isn't going to help anyone becoming a chef. Good vocational qualifications are what would be useful there.


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I agree.

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Original post by Edminzodo
Exactly! If almost half of Y11s are getting under a C at GCSE Maths, what hope do we have?

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The standard of maths in this country really needs to be raised. Aren't they doing that thing now that means if you get below a C in maths or english you have to keep retaking it until you get a C?
Original post by thechemistress
The standard of maths in this country really needs to be raised. Aren't they doing that thing now that means if you get below a C in maths or english you have to keep retaking it until you get a C?


Yes, but it should be an A, not a C!

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Original post by William Turtle
Food tech isn't going to help anyone becoming a chef. Good vocational qualifications are what would be useful there.
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Yes, but you have to do those at 16 plus, it's hardly going to encourage people to commit to schooling if you're there telling them what they're interested in can't be studied until they leave.

Original post by tomfailinghelp
The problem with Sociology is that it's too specialised for GCSE and A-Level. Sociology is about performing one's own research, and any criticsm of another's work is going to be complex. That just can't be expressed below degree level without it being an excersize in regurgitation. This is why we should remove A-Level Sociology.


You criticise Historians in History, critics in English, theorists in Politics, judges in Law etc., why couldn't you criticise another's work in Sociology? I struggle to believe it is totally implausible to study something at 16/17 which you're very well equipped for at 18.

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