Government and Politics

Course summary

We are living through unprecedented times. Since 2016, things have been unstable in the West, particularly in the UK and USA. The Coronavirus pandemic has only added to that. The main reason why people study politics is because they want to understand how and why people in positions of power do what they do. That’s what it’s all about – power. Politics used to be seen as boring. Not anymore. The number of students opting to take A Level and degree-level Politics has dramatically increased nationwide since 2016 because they want to know why society in Britain [and the USA] has become so polarised and divided. We’ve all heard or had arguments about Brexit or Trump. This course will help you to understand how this all came about and give you clues as to what the future may hold. The course will allow you to explore the nature of politics and how people engage in the political processes in the UK and the USA. You will analyze and evaluate comparative politics between the British and American governments, finding similarities and differences between their structures, processes, and systems. You will also have a chance to examine the benefits and disadvantages of a wide range of political ideologies that underpin and are present in the world today. Studying politics at Oriel will allow you to find and refine your ‘political voice’, as well as give you opportunities to strengthen your ability to argue in a range of political discourses. Independent research skills, keeping up to date with the news, an inquiring mind, and a flair for debate. Students who have studied politics often go on to have careers in the media, the civil service, pressure groups, think tanks, business, journalism, and law.