Government and Politics

Course summary

If you're interested in UK and global current affairs, enjoy lively debate and are fascinated by the drama of Westminster, then politics A level is for you. You don't need to have studied the subject at GCSE but an interest in history and good literacy skills will be of benefit for this course. You might be heading for a career in central or local government, law, journalism or political research, though the Politics A level will give you transferable skills which are useful in a wide range of careers. Politics combines well with other arts, humanities and social science subjects such as history, English, sociology and economics. The Politics A Level course will focus on the following: UK Politics & Government Democracy and Participation, Political Parties, Electoral systems, Voting behaviour and the media. The Constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and Executive and the relationships between the branches. Political Ideas Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism and Feminism Comparative Politics Students will focus on the American political system; The US Constitution and Federalism, US Congress, US Presidency, US Supreme Court and US civil rights, US democracy and participation and comparative theories. Studying this subject will inevitably involve lots of discussion in class and students are expected to be informed about current political developments (see above). Essay-writing and note-taking are key learning methods. Debates and group work will figure largely in the course.