What does democracy really mean? How powerful are prime ministers? Can we be trusted to govern ourselves or should others make decisions on our behalf? Why have some governments handled the pandemic well, and others have not? Why do some Prime Ministers stay in power despite obvious mistakes in their leadership and governance?
If you take an interest in these sorts of questions, read the news and enjoy a heated debate, then Politics is for you!
In Politics we study and criticise the institutions, systems and ideologies that govern us.
Course Content
First Year
You will focus on the government and politics of the UK and core and optional political ideologies such as liberalism, socialism, conservatism and anarchism. You will consider important concepts such as democracy, power and influence. You will learn how Parliament works and why some are now calling for big changes to the system. As we analyse the 2019 General Election and Post-Brexit and Post-Covid UK, we will ask ourselves what future the two main parties have, whether Scotland will achieve an independence referendum in the UK post Brexit, what the long term impact of Covid-19 will be, and whether 16 year olds should get the vote. A fascinating part of the course is the questioning of an MP or a peer that takes place yearly when we either visit the Houses of Parliament in Westminster or welcome politicians into our classrooms.
Second Year
During your second year you will study the government and politics of the USA and engage in comparative politics with the UK. You will explore the nature of the American Constitution, the ideology of America’s political parties, the influence of pressure groups, voting behaviour, the power of the president, and the role of race and ethnic politics. We will analyse the 2020 election and explore the Trump phenomenon, and why there has been a collapse of centrist politics in the USA.
Specification – Edexcel (Pearson) Units of study (each unit represents 33.3% of the overall exam award)
Unit 1: Politics of the UK
• Democracy and participation
• Political Parties
• Voting Behaviour and Media
• Electoral System
Students will study core ideologies: Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism
Unit 2: Government of the UK
• The Constitution
• Parliament
• Prime Minister & Executive
• Relationships Between the Branches
Students will also be able to study options ideologies: Feminist, Ecologism, Nationalism, Multiculturalism, Anarchism. We have chosen Anarchism as the optional ideology.
Unit 3: Government and Politics of the USA (Comparative USA & UK)
• Congress
• Constitution
• Presidency
• Supreme Court
• Civil Rights
• Democracy & Participation
Students will also analyse key similarities and differences between the USA and UK
First Year
You will focus on the government and politics of the UK and core and optional political ideologies such as liberalism, socialism, conservatism and anarchism. You will consider important concepts such as democracy, power and influence. You will learn how Parliament works and why some are now calling for big changes to the system. As we analyse the 2019 General Election and Post-Brexit and Post-Covid UK, we will ask ourselves what future the two main parties have, whether Scotland will achieve an independence referendum in the UK post Brexit, what the long term impact of Covid-19 will be, and whether 16 year olds should get the vote. A fascinating part of the course is the questioning of an MP or a peer that takes place yearly when we either visit the Houses of Parliament in Westminster or welcome politicians into our classrooms.
Second Year
During your second year you will study the government and politics of the USA and engage in comparative politics with the UK. You will explore the nature of the American Constitution, the ideology of America’s political parties, the influence of pressure groups, voting behaviour, the power of the president, and the role of race and ethnic politics. We will analyse the 2020 election and explore the Trump phenomenon, and why there has been a collapse of centrist politics in the USA.
Specification – Edexcel (Pearson) Units of study (each unit represents 33.3% of the overall exam award)
|
Unit 1: Politics of the UK |
• Democracy and participation • Political Parties • Voting Behaviour and Media • Electoral System Students will study core ideologies: Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism |
|
Unit 2: Government of the UK |
• The Constitution • Parliament • Prime Minister & Executive • Relationships Between the Branches Students will also be able to study options ideologies: Feminist, Ecologism, Nationalism, Multiculturalism, Anarchism. We have chosen Anarchism as the optional ideology. |
|
Unit 3: Government and Politics of the USA (Comparative USA & UK) |
• Congress • Constitution • Presidency • Supreme Court • Civil Rights • Democracy & Participation Students will also analyse key similarities and differences between the USA and UK |
Methods of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The course is taught by well-qualified and experienced staff, and students are provided with handouts for all topics. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, discussions in large and small groups and presentations by students. Students are expected to undertake background reading, keep a weekly news diary, write regular essays and short answers. Up to date study material is issued throughout the course.
Methods of Assessment
The assessment is based on three timed written examination papers which are essay based. Each exam is 2 hours long and all exams are taken at the end of the second year of study. Each exam is worth 84 marks.
The course is taught by well-qualified and experienced staff, and students are provided with handouts for all topics. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, discussions in large and small groups and presentations by students. Students are expected to undertake background reading, keep a weekly news diary, write regular essays and short answers. Up to date study material is issued throughout the course.
Methods of Assessment
The assessment is based on three timed written examination papers which are essay based. Each exam is 2 hours long and all exams are taken at the end of the second year of study. Each exam is worth 84 marks.
Enrichment
Year 12 students usually visit Westminster in the autumn, there will be some optional trips for year two students. Many speakers, including MPs and House of Lords peers, come and face question time from the students. Last year we met with and interrogated MPs and the Mayor of Bristol.
In the past few years we have also attended Day Conferences on American Politics, featuring ex-Senators and members of congress. We have managed to attend these conferences virtually too.
Year 12 students usually visit Westminster in the autumn, there will be some optional trips for year two students. Many speakers, including MPs and House of Lords peers, come and face question time from the students. Last year we met with and interrogated MPs and the Mayor of Bristol.
In the past few years we have also attended Day Conferences on American Politics, featuring ex-Senators and members of congress. We have managed to attend these conferences virtually too.
Key Skills
Students can expect to develop their Key Skills in Communication (especially verbal debating and written arguments) and IT. Students will have opportunities to develop their key skills in working with others, improving their own learning and performance, and problem solving.
Students can expect to develop their Key Skills in Communication (especially verbal debating and written arguments) and IT. Students will have opportunities to develop their key skills in working with others, improving their own learning and performance, and problem solving.
Resources and Charges
Students are provided with appropriate textbooks to use in the classroom, revision guides and VLE resources through VLE books. The College Library is well stocked with relevant books and students are encouraged to make use of internal and external Internet resources such as Seneca Learning.
Charges
There are occasional optional visits a student may wish to take part in, including visits to the Houses of Parliament.
Financial assistance is available through the College Bursary Scheme.
Students are provided with appropriate textbooks to use in the classroom, revision guides and VLE resources through VLE books. The College Library is well stocked with relevant books and students are encouraged to make use of internal and external Internet resources such as Seneca Learning.
Charges
There are occasional optional visits a student may wish to take part in, including visits to the Houses of Parliament.
Financial assistance is available through the College Bursary Scheme.
Progression
A-level Politics provides a good basis for university degree courses in Politics and International Relations, Philosophy, Public Administration, Social Science, Economics and Law.
In addition, career prospects are opened up in local government departments, the civil service, the legal system, media, management and teaching.
A-level Politics provides a good basis for university degree courses in Politics and International Relations, Philosophy, Public Administration, Social Science, Economics and Law.
In addition, career prospects are opened up in local government departments, the civil service, the legal system, media, management and teaching.
Where can this course lead?
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