A Level Politics

Students taking Politics should have an interest in current affairs and the way in which Politics affects society both at home and abroad. The course will appeal to students who enjoy keeping abreast of debates which feature on the BBC’s Question Time or in the pages of the ‘quality’ newspapers. As well as learning how to present cogent and effective arguments in written form, students will get the chance to develop their critical thinking skills by analysing up-to date material from a variety of sources including television, print media and the internet. In recent years, Politics students have also had the opportunity to take part in some exciting encounters with some of the most important politicians in the country.

AS Units Unit 1 – People and Politics This part of the course looks at different ways of doing Politics in the UK. It focuses on the question; How democratic is Britain? It then looks at the various ways in which the will of the people can be expressed, featuring elections, parties, pressure groups and referendums. Students will have a chance to look at the big ideas in Politics and how they compete to try to explain the world we live in and what should be done to improve it. Unit 2 – Governing the UK In the second unit, we look at the different arenas in which Politics takes place in the UK. Students look at the role of an MP both in her constituency and in Parliament. Parliament itself comes under scrutiny, as does the Government, the role of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. Students also look at the Constitution and the Civil Service and assess the extent to which they can influence the operation of day to day politics in the UK

A2 Units Unit 3 – US Politics and Society As in the first year of the course, students get a chance to look at the way Politics is done, but this time they make comparisons with the USA. A central focus of this unit is on elections and the factors which determine their results. In turn, the way in which campaigning US-style affects the decision-making process also receives our attention. Students will also look at the way parties, pressure groups and the influence of race and civil rights as a motivating political factor help us to gain a more complete picture of Politics in the USA. Unit 4 – Governing the USA The final part of the course looks again at the institutions in which politics takes place, this time focussing on the Presidency, Congress, the US Constitution and the Supreme Court. Students are able to compare the checks and balances which exist in the US system with those they have already studied in the UK. In so doing, they have chance to analyse significant trends in US political history, especially in the last fifty years, and to discuss the impact they have on the political life of Americans.

Assessment details

All exams take place in the summer term.

It is possible to re-take some of the summer exams the following January.

Unit 1	1 hr. 20 mins Exam	Externally assessed 50% of total mark
Unit 2	1 hr. 20 mins Exam	Externally assessed 50 % of total mark

Assessment details

All exams take place in the summer term.

Unit 3	1hr 30 mins Exam	Externally assessed 50% of total mark
Unit 4	1 hr. 30 mins Exam	Externally assessed 50% of total mark

Progression

Politics is a very well-respected discipline at university. Many of our students have gone to study it at degree level at some of the country’s top universities. It also provides evidence to universities of skills in written communication and research and can be used to meet their requirements for entry on to a wide range of Arts, Social Science and Science courses. Politics can lead to careers in journalism, policy-making, research, local government, town planning and a host of other areas.

Exam board

Edexcel