Government and Politics
This A-level qualification will help you develop an interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics. You will develop knowledge and understanding of political structures and issues in their historical context, both within the UK and globally. You will also develop
- a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes
- an understanding of the influences and interests which have an impact on decisions in government and politics
- an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups
- the ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information to form arguments and make judgments
How will it be assessed?
Component 1: UK Politics
Written examination: 2 hours
33⅓% of the qualification
Content overview
1. Political Participation:
- democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.
2. Core Political Ideas:
- conservatism, liberalism, socialism.
Component 2: UK Government
Written examination: 2 hours, 33⅓% of the qualification
Content overview
1. UK Government:
- the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches.
2. Non-core political ideas:
- one idea from the following: anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism.
Component 3: Comparative Politics
Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of the qualification
Content overview
1. For USA (3A):
- the US Constitution and federalism, US Congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories. OR
2. For Global (3B):
- sovereignty and globalisation, global governance: political and economic, global governance: human rights and environmental, power and developments, regionalism and the European Union, comparative theories.
Where will it lead?
Government and Politics will help you gain places on degree courses such as Politics, History, PPE and Law. Government & Politics is studied alongside a variety of other A-Level courses including History, Sociology, Economics and English.
Enrichment Opportunities
Visit to Houses of Parliament. A visit to Brussels may be organised. More details will follow.
Entry Requirements
GCSE Grade 6 in English and grade 6 in a Humanities subject.