Politics

Course summary

Students taking this course are expected to have demonstrated an ability to research widely, analyse evidence and reach balanced conclusions. Students also need an enquiring mind, a passion for current affairs, be willing to engage with debates and have an ability to reason and think independently. This exciting specification offers considerable breadth for students who are interested in politics, whilst still retaining the level of depth that students achieve currently. Over the two year course, students will study the political processes and institutions in both the United Kingdom and in the U.S.A. There will also be a comparative section to enable students to synthesize and demonstrate their learning. In addition the course will include the study of a range of ideological traditions; conservatism, socialism and liberalism as well as a focus on feminism. Students will be expected to read some of the key texts associated with these ideologies and to appreciate the historical context within which they developed. All units will be examined at the end of the two year course. There are 3 exam papers, each of which are 2 hours long and equally weighted. Component 1: UK Politics. This will cover political participation and the core political ideas of conservatism, liberalism and socialism. Component 2: UK Government. Students will study the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive. They will also study feminism. Component 3: Comparative Politics. Students will study the USA. They will cover the US constitution and federalism, U&S Congress, US Presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights. Students will be assessed through a mixture of essays and source based exercises. Students may have the opportunity to visit Washington during their course. OPPORTUNITIES AFTER THE COURSE Students taking this option have gone on to study a wide variety of subjects including Politics, Economics, Business, History, International Relations and Law at University. Politics also combines well with all other A level subjects. The study of Politics helps to develop the type of analytical mind, ability to synthesise information and excellent communication skills that are a prerequisite for a wide range of career paths. Students in this subject have gone on to careers in Law, Finance, General Management including in the Fashion sector, Journalism, Politics and International relations.