Government and Politics

Course summary

This Politics course focuses on the study of British and American governmental structures and current political issues. Students will be expected to understand how the British and American government’s function, the relationship between voting and democracy and determine how political parties and the media shape the political agenda. Unit 1 (British Politics) - focuses on democracy and participation, the different political parties, the electoral systems and how we vote in the UK. Pupils also learn about the role of the media in politics and the ideologies of liberalism, socialism and conservatism. Unit 2 (British Politics) - students will study the UK constitution including devolution, the role of parliament and the Prime Minister as well as how all the relations between the Government, Parliament and Supreme Court come together. Unit 3 (US Politics) - students study the US constitution, Congress, US President, the Supreme Court and democracy and participation. Pupils will compare the similarities between the UK and US in regards to politics.