A Level Government and Politics

Government and Politics (AS and A Level)

GOVERNMENT and POLITICS

AS and A Level (Edexcel)

Campus: Cheadle and Marple (29/09/08)

Course overview

Politics is the study of power and decision-making in our society. The first year focus is on the British system of government, including parliament, Prime Minister, parties, elections, pressure groups and concepts of democracy, representation and participation.

In the second year you study ideas and beliefs: socialism, conservatism, liberalism, nationalism, anarchism, multiculturalism, feminism and ecologism. You will be encouraged to have your own views and to listen to the opinions of others. Politics is constantly changing and an awareness of current events is vital. If you are interested in the world around you, and in debating ideas, then this subject is for you.

AS Level (year one)

Unit One

You will learn about the nature of democracy in the UK, the policies and ideas of the major parties, how elections work and whether they can be improved, and about the ways that pressure groups exert influence.

Unit Two

You will study and criticise the British constitution, parliament, the prime Minister and cabinet, the judiciary and civil liberties in the UK.

A Level (year two)

Unit Three

You will study the major ideas and changing nature of liberalism, conservatism, socialism and anarchism.

Unit Four

You will examine the ideological traditions that have developed out of, or emerged in opposition to the major ideologies studied for Unit 3. These are nationalism, feminism, ecologism (green politics

and multiculturalism.

How you will learn

You will be taught by lecture, question/answer sessions, discussion group, seminar, research exercises, guest speakers, visits, conferences, source-based work, video, use of the news media and internet.

How you will be assessed

Unit 1 written exam: 1 hour 20 minutes. Answer two structured questions from a choice of four.

(January exam)

Unit 2 Written exam: 1hour 20 minutes. Answer one stimulus-based question from a choice of two. (Summer exam)

Answer one essay question from a choice of two.

Unit 3 Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Answer three short questions from a choice of five.

Answer one essay question from a choice of two.

Unit 4 Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Answer three short questions from a choice of five. Answer one essay question from a choice of three.

Special entry requirements

A good GCSE performance in literary subjects e.g. History, Geography, Sociology, Religion, English.

What the students say

Politics is an extremely challenging subject, which broadens your outlook on society and how it is governed.

Knowledgeable and interesting teachers, lots of debate, hard ideas to get your head round it was really good.

It wasnt my first choice subject when I came to Cheadle and Marple, but now Im going to study politics at university

Other useful information

100% pass rate at A Level since records began!

You will visit Parliament for the day in the Spring term.