Government and Politics (A Level)

Politics is a course students enjoy studying as we give you the opportunity to debate current affairs and through studying politics you also gain a much wider understanding of the world around you. It has never been a more exciting time to study Government and Politics. In Year 12 you will study the Politics and Government of the United Kingdom. For example investigating how people participate in Politics and analysing the structure and composition of institutions such as Parliament. In Year 13 you will study the contrasts and connections between the USA and the UK by studying the fascinating and often peculiar world of American politics.

What you will learn

Over the course of the Politics A Level we will be exploring the following topic areas. During terms 1-4 in year 12, we will be examining UK Politics, considering the functions and structures of the Political institutions in this country as well as issues surrounding participation, political parties and voter behaviour. In terms 5-6, we will be examining the four ideologies of Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism and Feminism and their impact on Politics. In year 13, we spend terms 1-4 examining US Politics and the similarities and differences with our own political system. Finally we will spend time reviewing the content of the course before the final exams.

How you will learn

Politics is taught in an engaging way throughout the course. We will be providing you with up-to-date reading and research and exploring current issues and controversies in contemporary politics. There will be opportunities to explore and debate topical issues as well as regular knowledge checking to secure your knowledge of the key details of the course. Over the course we will be developing your written skills through detailed feedback and providing you with expert advice on how to develop your essays and exam style questions.

Year 1

UK Government and Politics including:

• Democracy and participation
• Political parties
• Electoral systems
• Voting behaviour
• The Media
• The Constitution
• Parliament
• Prime Minister
• The Executive
• The relationships between the branches of government
• Political ideologies including:
• Conservatism
• Liberalism
• Socialism
• Feminism

Year 2

US Comparative Politics including:

• The US Constitution and federalism
• US Congress
• US Presidency
• US Supreme Court
• Democracy and participation and Civil rights

Assessment 1. UK politics and core political ideas, written evaluation, 2 hours, 33% of final grade.

This exam paper tests your knowledge of the Unit 1 topics of democracy and participation, political parties, the electoral system, voting behaviour and the role of the media in the United Kingdom.

The paper also contains questions on the core political ideologies of Conservatism, Liberalism and Socialism.

Assessment 2. UK Government and Political Ideologies, written examination, 2 hours, 33% of final grade.

This exam paper tests your knowledge of the Unit 2 topics of the constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and the executive of the United Kingdom and the relationships between these branches of government.

The paper also contains questions on the ideology of Feminism.

Assessment 3. Comparative Politics of the USA, written examination, 2 hours, 33% of final grade.

This exam paper tests your knowledge of the Unit 3 topics of the US Constitution and federalism, the US congress, the US presidency and the US Supreme Court and explores the themes of democracy, participation and civil rights in the USA.

College basic entry requirements

Where Next?

Politics is a popular subject for universities. Students who take politics gain critical thinking and analytical skills, students develop their skills of debating and communicating. Politics helps prepare students for many different forms of employment including work in journalism, education, the legal professions and any employment that requires critical thinking and judgement.

Course Combinations

Politics is a diverse qualification and compliments other subjects such as History, Sociology and Economics.