Courses

Government & Politics

The syllabus followed and outlined below is AQA. It is an issues based course and focuses on popular topical issues that are currently in the news as well as important events from the past.

 

Government & Politics – Transition

Government and Politics A Level

> Component 1 – Government and politics of the UK  (The Constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Judiciary, Devolution, Democracy and Participation. Elections and referendums, Political parties, Pressure groups, European Union.)

> Component 2 – Government of the USA / Comparative politics  (The Constitution, Congress, Presidency, Supreme Court, Electoral process and Direct Democracy, Political parties, Pressure groups, Civil rights.)

> Component 3 – Political Ideas  (Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism + one of the following – Nationalism, Feminism, Multiculturalism, Anarchism, Ecoligism.)

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 5 GCSE passes at grade 5 or above is preferred (in particular English and a humanities subject).

Recommended support materials and revision guides

At the start of both the AS and A2 parts of the course students are encouraged to purchase textbooks written specifically for this syllabus, and subscribe to the Politics Review magazine. There will also be the opportunity to attend revision lectures led by experts in the field of Politics. In addition, students are encouraged to compile reference materials, read quality newspapers and other directed journals, watch and record appropriate documentaries and if possible have access to the internet. All of these resources will be discussed from the outset. The department is however very well resourced.

Examination arrangements and weightings

Component 1 – 2 hour exam, 77 marks, 33.3% of A level, Examination taken in June

Component 2 – 2 hour exam, 77 marks, 33.3% of A level, Examination taken in June

Component 3 – 2 hour exam, 77 marks, 33.3% of A level, Examination taken in June

Careers

Government and Politics develops a range of skills, knowledge and understanding useful for lifelong learning. For example, how to evaluate and analyse information. And also to understand people’s attitudes and values. As a result there are a wide range of career opportunities open to students, including accountancy, police, banking, media, journalism, the civil service, law, teaching, business executive and diplomatic corporations.