Government and Politics

Assessment

Assessment is all by examination. There are three exams, all of which are 2 hours in duration. All three papers are equally weighted. On papers 1 and 2, students will answer one source-based question from a choice of two worth 30 marks, one essay question from a choice of two worth 30 marks, and one essay from a choice of two based on an ideology worth 30 marks. On paper 3 students will complete two 30-mark essays from a choice of three on US Politics. They will also complete two 12-mark comparative politics questions, comparing aspects of the UK and US political systems Component 1: Political Participation: When studying this unit you will cover ways in which people can get involved in the political process, referendums, pressure groups, political parties, electoral systems, and voting behavior in the UK. You will also study the core political ideas of conservatism, liberalism, and socialism. Component 2: UK Government: When studying this unit you will cover the British constitution and how it could be reformed, the judiciary and its powers, the powers and roles of MPs and Parliament, the Prime Minister and, Cabinet, devolution and the EU and the relationships between the different branches of government. You will also study an optional ideology, either nationalism, anarchism, feminism, ecologism, or multiculturalism. Component 3: The Politics of the USA. You will study the US Constitution and federalism, the US Congress, the US Presidency, the US Supreme Court, US elections and political participation, and civil rights. You will make comparisons between the US and the UK in these areas.