Government and Politics

Course summary

In A Level Politics, you will study the AQA specification. This is tested by three exams at the end of Year 13. These include: 1. Government and Politics of the UK. 2. Government and politics of the USA and comparative politics. 3. Political Ideas. The A Level Politics course is suited to students who have a lively and inquiring mind and an ability to communicate ideas effectively. It will help you to develop a sense of the rights and responsibilities of the individual within society. The course encourages you to engage in the analysis and evaluation of the British and American political systems. Politics is suitable for you if you are interested in learning about contemporary political issues and the history behind them. A good knowledge of current affairs and a willingness to participate in discussions and debates is beneficial. A Level Politics will also help to develop your written communication style and your ability to formulate clear and cohesive arguments in essays. Politics exists because people disagree. They disagree about how they should live, who should get what and who should make the decisions. Politics is the process through which people with different ideas, values, opinions and interests attempt to find a way of living together within the same society. Politics is dynamic and contemporary. You will learn to understand the political system by studying developments as they happen. This sheds further light on the theory studied in class and gives a great sense of the importance of politics. An interest in news and current affairs is therefore extremely helpful. As part of Paper 1, you will study the workings of the British government, including the nature and history of the British constitution, the structure and role of Parliament, the responsibilities of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the judiciary, and devolution. You will also consider the operation of British politics, including democracy and participation, elections and referendums, political parties, pressure groups, and the European Union. Paper 2 largely focuses on American politics including the constitutional framework of the US government, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, the electoral process, political parties, pressure groups and civil rights. There then follows a comparative study of the British and American systems. In Paper 3, you will consider political ideas including liberalism, conservatism and socialism. There is no coursework or NEA element to this course.