Government and Politics

Course summary

Politics allows you to gain a deep understanding of the world in which we live today, at the micro, local, national, and global levels. Never has our inter-connected relationship with the rest of the world been demonstrated so starkly as by events of the last few years, including the implications of the withdrawal from the European Union and the geo-political issues generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By studying A-Level Politics, students will be encouraged to become active citizens and members of society, to be informed and educated voters, and to question and challenge, e.g. the accuracy and objectivity of newspaper reports, and not be mere passive by-standers as decisions are made that affect our daily lives. Politics affects EVERYONE. Politicians make laws that affect every aspect of our lives. As our elected representatives, politicians are a major link between us and real power and influence. Without participation, we lose knowledge, accountability, and the ability to influence events. The curriculum develops the analytical skills needed by students to make judgments in all walks of life and develops cross-curricular links with other subjects such as History, Economics, Geography, philosophy, and ethics. Year 12 Term 1 • UK Politics- Democracy and Participation • UK Politics- Political parties • UK Government- Constitution • UK Government- Parliament Term 2 • UK Politics- Electoral systems • UK Politics- Voting behavior and the media • UK Government- Prime Minister and Executive Term 3 • UK Politics- Case Studies – 1979 election- 2010 Elections • UK Government- Relations between the branches Year 13 Term 1 • COMPARATIVE POLITICS: USA- US Constitution and Federalism • US democracy and participation • Political Ideas- Liberalism: core ideas and principles • Political Ideas- Liberalism: Differing views and tensions within liberalism Term 2 • Comparative Politics: USA- US Congress • Comparative Politics: USA- US Presidency • Political Ideas- Socialism: Differing views and tensions within liberalism • Political Ideas- Socialism: Socialist thinkers and their ideas Term 3 • Comparative Politics: USA- US Supreme Court and Civil Rights • Comparative approaches • Political Ideas- Feminism: core ideas and principles • Political Ideas- Feminism: Feminist thinkers and their ideas