A Level Politics

Why study Politics?

Politicians make decisions that affect every part of our lives. Many unexpected and unpredictable events have taken place both in the UK and globally in recent years. The study of politics has never been more relevant. If you want to know what is going on in the world today and why, this is the course for you!

The Politics A-Level course gives you the opportunity to study contemporary politics and develop a strong understanding of the British system, as well as the opportunity to study American or Global Politics. You will gain insight into the fundamental political ideas that have shaped our world. We will study the core political ideologies of conservatism, liberalism and socialism as well as look at other ideologies such as feminism and nationalism. We will examine the influence of significant political thinkers such as Edmund Burke, Karl Marx and Mary Wollstonecraft.

What will I study?

Component 1: UK Politics

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

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

For USA:

• The US Constitution and federalism, US Congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories.

For Global:

• Sovereignty and globalisation, global governance: political and economic, global governance: human rights and environmental, power and developments, regionalism and the European Union, comparative theories.

Assessment

Paper 1: UK Political and Core Political Ideas – 2 hours, 33.3%

1 x Essay on UK Politics (30 marks)

1 x Source Question on UK Politics (30 Marks)

1 x Essay on Political Ideas (24 Marks)

Paper 2: UK Government and Non-Core Political Ideas – 2 hours, 33.3%

1 x Essay on UK Government (30 marks)

1 x Source Question on UK Government (30 Marks)

1 x Essay on Political Ideas (24 Marks)

Paper 3: Comparative Politics (USA) – 2 hours, 33.3%

2 x Short Questions on comparison between UK and US Politics (12 marks each)

2 x Essays on US Politics (30 marks each)

Minimum Entry Requirements:

5 x 5s*

4 in English and Maths

Subject Entry Requirements:

6 in GCSE English Language or English Literature or in a humanities subject

* Please note that Level 2 vocational courses are the equivalent of 1 GCSE and only 1 will be counted towards the A-Level pathway entry requirements

What can Politics lead to?

You will develop and improve your research and spoken and written communication skills as well as your analytical skills. These are skills which are highly valued by universities and employers. Students of A Level Politics go on to study a wide variety of subjects at university, including Politics, PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), International Relations, Geography, Law and History.