Government and Politics

Course summary

Students will be able to read about the current political affairs of the UK and the USA and be able to apply their knowledge and skills to gain an in-depth understanding of events and political processes. Importantly, students will be able to apply their learning to countries and governments not included in these studies and evaluate them in terms of western democratic principles. Component 1- UK Politics Political Participation, students will study democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media. • Core Political Ideas, students will study conservatism, liberalism, socialism. Component 2 - UK Government • UK Government - students will study the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive relationships between the branches. • Optional Political Ideas- students will study Feminism and the differences within the ideology. Component 3 - Comparative Politics • Students will follow the USA option. • For USA (3A) - students will study the US Constitution and Federalism, US Congress, US Presidency, US Supreme Court, democracy and participation, civil rights.