Government and Politics

Course summary

In the first year of global politics you look at the UK political system and how it functions, before going on to look at a range of core ideologies, finally finishing in the second year with a detailed look into either American or global politics. Unit 1: UK Politics & Key Political Ideas This Unit introduces students to the key channels of communication between government and the governed in the UK. Topics studied include Parties, Democracy, Voting Behaviour and Elections. Students are encouraged to evaluate the adequacy of existing arrangements for ensuring strong lines of representative democracy and high levels of political participation. Students will also look at the three key political ideologies, of Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism. This topic introduces an overview of what the ideologies stand for, as well as some of the key thinkers of the ideology. Students also consider how they can apply the ideology to current political situations. Unit 2: UK Government & Additional Political Ideas This Unit introduces students to the key institutions that wield power in the UK and the concepts that underpin and drive them. Topics include the Executive, Parliament and the Constitution. This unit encourages students to develop a critical understanding of their role, effectiveness and inter-relationship. Students will also look at a further ideology in Feminism, gaining an overview of what the ideology stands for, as well as some of the key thinkers. Unit 3: Global Politics or Government and Politics of the USA In the second year of their A level students choose to study one of these options. ‘Global Politics’ gives students an opportunity to develop an understanding of international topics such as Globalisation, Human Rights and Terrorism, alongside looking at institutions such as the UN and the EU. In ‘Government and Politics of the USA’ students will look at the structure and workings of government and democracy in the USA, whilst also gaining an understanding of the theories used to compare systems of government internationally.