Government and Politics

Course summary

What is Politics? Politics is the study of how we are governed, who has power, why and how we can use our rights to shape our country in the future. Politics is also a challenging and exciting subject, which is constantly changing and developing and no other subject directly surrounds us in almost every aspect of our lives. Where can Politics lead me? Politics is a very well-respected subject at A Level and a good qualification for law, media, public relations and journalism. It is a popular undergraduate choice due to the passion and academic rigour that it demands. Structure of the Course: Examination board is Edexcel and all A Level examinations are at the end of Year 13. Linear Course Outline Component 1: UK Politics Students will study: 1. Political Participation Democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media. 2. Core Political Ideas Conservatism, liberalism and socialism. Component 2: UK Government Students will study: 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: The Politics of the USA Students will study: 1. The US Constitution and federalism, US Congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court. 2. Civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories.