A/AS Government and Politics

A Level

In Alton, Hampshire

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    A Level

  • Location

    Alton, hampshire

  • Duration

    2 Years

You learn about current affairs, Parliament and other institutions that affect us in our day to day lives. Why are we allowed to drive at 17 but not vote until we get to 18? These are decisions that politicians have made that we discuss. Politics is regarded as an integrated subject which uses material from Economics, History, Sociology, Law, Business Studies and Communication Studies.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Alton, Hampshire (West Yorkshire)
See map
Old Odiham Road, GU34 2LX

Start date

On request

About this course

Whilst you must have at least five C grades at GCSE to do three A levels, past experience suggests a mixture of As, Bs and Cs makes it more likely that you will get good results. An interest in political issues is the most important requirement for this course, but good writing & research skills are also essential. A C grade in GCSE English is desirable.

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Course programme

A/AS Government and Politics

What is Government and Politics?
You learn about current affairs, Parliament and other institutions that affect us in our day to day lives. Why are we allowed to drive at 17 but not vote until we get to 18? These are decisions that politicians have made that we discuss. Politics is regarded as an integrated subject which uses material from Economics, History, Sociology, Law, Business Studies and Communication Studies. Politics is more than this, it is the study of decision-making, both inside and outside Government institutions.

These are some of the subjects that we analyse over the two years:
  • Political Parties
  • Constitution
  • Pressure Groups
  • Prime Minister & Cabinet
  • Political Ideologies eg Liberalism & Ecologism

For each main topic you will complete a research essay and a timed essay. These are important as research essays enable you to do background reading with a focus in mind. Test essays prepare you for your final essays. We also use a lot of data-response questions.

Is Government and Politics suitable for me?
Current students have particularly enjoyed visiting speakers and debates in this subject as they felt these two areas particularly reinforced their understanding of the subject. Visiting speakers have included high profile politicians, such as Ken Livingstone. Students enjoyed working on a Mock Parliament debate and attending Politics Conferences where guest speakers have been well-known MPs.

Students have found writing essays and the reading hard work and also have singled out the fact that the subject is all exam based as an issue.

How will I learn?
Lessons will involve a variety of tasks, individual research, debates, note-taking, videos and use of related websites. Students will sometimes do individual work and sometimes small group work to prepare presentations on relevant areas. The amount of homework will vary, but usually students should aim to do 4 to 5 hours of private study, plus set aside time for relevant television programmes like OEQuestion Time and build up a media file of relevant articles from broadsheet newspapers.

How will I be assessed? Coursework:
Year 1 - 0% Year 2 - 0%

Year 1: AS level
You will be examined in units 1 and 2 from a range of data response, short answer questions and essays. These units will be examined by external papers of 1 hour 20 minutes each.

Year 2: A level
Units 3 and 4 will also be examined externally using a range of data response, short answer questions and essays. These units will be examined by external papers of 1 hour 30 minutes each.

Progression
Politics will give you a deeper understanding of the institutions that affect our daily lives and the people who work in them. This will develop your analytical skills, both in oral and written communication. For this reason Politics is a respected A level subject that is useful in both employment and Higher Education.

Chris came from TPS, and completed A levels in Politics, English and History. After his gap year he went on to study Politics and Philosophy. Chris was President of the SU whilst in his second year. Katie (Perins) studied Politics A level and went to Swansea to study International Relations. Sam (Eggars) studied politics and is now at Aberystwyth studying Politics and Law.

Course costs
All students will be expected to provide a standard textbook and/or relevant materials. All students will be expected to provide their own stationery, computer disks and calculators (where appropriate). Any further costs are outlined below:

Essential: £30 for textbooks.

Optional: £35 for magazine subscriptions, materials and trips which are optional but very relevant to the course.

If the cost of equipment, materials and trips may cause you financial hardship, there is the opportunity to apply for help from the College Access Fund.

Course: EDEXCEL 8GP01/9GP01

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A/AS Government and Politics

Price on request