Government and Politics

Course summary

What is the subject? Politics is a good subject for someone who is developing an interest in the news, and in the stories behind the news. Studying politics will make you better informed than most of your fellow students, and many adults too. Politics (sometimes called “Political Studies” or “Political Science”) is an academic discipline. Like most subjects, you will need to learn some facts, some dates and some key concepts. You will need to develop the skills necessary to write essays in which you, for example, evaluate the powers of the Prime Minister, or analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the UK Constitution. Year 12 Component 1: UK politics - Democracy and political participation - Party policies and ideas - Elections and electoral reform - Pressure Groups and group politics - Voting behavior and the media - The UK Constitution - Parliament - The Prime Minister and Cabinet - Judges and civil liberties - The EU Component 2: Political ideas - Socialism - Conservatism - Liberalism - Feminism Year 13 Component 3: US politics & comparative politics - Elections - Parties - Pressure groups - Supreme Court and Civil Rights - US Constitution - President - Congress - Comparison of US and UK politics