Politics
Why study A Level Politics?
A level Politics presents students with an informed and critical understanding of UK and US Government and Politics and the ideologies that underpin these structures. Students will be empowered to analyse, interpret and evaluate political events as they happen, assess the merits of different electoral systems, explore the complexity of relationships within and between the three branches of government, and consider the democratic credentials of pressure groups in contemporary society. Ultimately, the study of politics will develop students to be articulate, active global citizens, equipped with the cultural, emotional, and intellectual capital to instigate positive change in society.
How will I study Politics?
Students will study Politics through a deep exploration of substantive knowledge which empowers them to comprehend and interpret political information, engage in informed, evidence-based discussion both verbally and through regular written composite tasks. Each of the components is sequenced to embed fingertip knowledge and then develop mastery and a fluency of substantive concepts, which will enable students to draw on connections between the different components. Through their engagement with current affairs, students will develop a synoptic and holistic understanding of politics. This will foster independent thinking skills and students will be equipped to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, problem solve and develop perspective and judgement on key political issues. Students are offered one to one support from teachers and subject ambassadors who will aid their learning.
What will I study at Key Stage 5?
Politics students study a range of topics which gives them a deep and broad understanding of UK and US Politics and Government. At AS level, students explore and evaluate the nature and manifestations of democracy; this is then developed with an analysis of the three branches of government and the relationships between and within them. At A level, learners expand upon this substantive knowledge to analyse US Government and Politics. Students consolidate and secure mastery of this understanding by drawing comparisons between the two countries. This culminates with a critical analysis of the key political ideologies of Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism and Feminism – the study of which enables students to appreciate the ideas that underpin and shape contemporary national and global politics.
Assessment at Key Stage 5
AS LEVEL POLITICS: EDEXEL 8PL0
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| AS Politics Paper 1 Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of the qualification 60 marks |
Political Participation: Democracy and participation; Political parties; Electoral systems; Voting behaviour and the media. Three 10-mark questions and one 30-mark question assessing knowledge, analytical and evaluation skills. |
| Overview | Focus | |
|---|---|---|
| AS Politics Paper 2 Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of the qualification 60 marks |
UK Government: The constitution; Parliament; Prime Minister and executive; Relationships between the branches. Three 10-mark questions and one 30-mark question assessing knowledge, analytical and evaluation skills. |
A LEVEL POLITICS: EDEXEL 9PL0
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| A Level Politics Paper 1 Written exam: 2 hours 33% of the qualification 84 marks |
Political Participation: Democracy and participation; Political Parties; Electoral systems; Voting behaviour and the media. Core Political Ideas: Conservatism; Liberalism; Socialism. Two 30-mark questions on Political Participation and one 24-mark question on Core Political Ideas assessing knowledge, analytical and evaluation skills. |
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| A Level Politics Paper 2 Written exam: 2 hours 33% of the qualification 84 marks |
UK Government: The constitution; Parliament, Prime Minister and executive, Relationships between the branches. Non-core political ideas: Feminism. Two 30-mark questions on Political Participation and one 24-mark question on Core Political Ideas assessing knowledge, analytical and evaluation skills. |
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| A Level Politics Paper 3 Written exam: 2 hours 33% of the qualification 84 marks |
USA Government and Politics: The US Constitution and federalism; US Congress; US Presidency; US Supreme Court and civil rights; Democracy and Participation; Comparative theories. Two 12-mark questions and two 30-mark questions assessing knowledge, analytical and evaluation skills. |
Enrichment
Social Sciences offer subject-specific enrichment to enhance the learning experience and nurture intellectual curiosity among students. This includes, amongst others, The Sixth Form Debate Society through which students takes part in the prestigious national Mace competition; HE* Social Sciences that prepares learners for applications to Russel Group Universities; Money Matters Enhancement which explores the economic issues of the day and Ethics in Action in which students are introduced to key philosophers as they embark on academic debate on contemporary ethical issues. Trips include Media City: Salford, The Crown Courts, Parliament and being an audience member in Radio 4 Any Questions.
Careers
Social Sciences can lead to a broad range of future careers. Alumni have graduated from Russell Group universities including the University of Oxford, UCL, The University of Manchester and King’s College London and embarked on successful careers within The Civil Service, local and national politics, medicine, international relations and law.
Useful resources and revision support
- Edexcel AS & A level Politics (2017) | Pearson qualifications
- My Revision Notes Download – Hodder Education
- The Economist – World News, Politics, Economics, Business & Finance
- News, sport, and opinion from the Guardian’s UK edition | The Guardian
- The New York Times – Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos (nytimes.com)
- RealClearPolitics – Live Opinion, News, Analysis, Video and Polls