A-Level Politics
A Level Politics
Politics is a subject that both unites and divides people: in that the issues that are directly relevant to all our lives. Health, education, crime, war, peace, and the economy are key areas for discussion and debate, in Politics we use our knowledge and analytical skills to argue rationally and articulately, staying up to date with the latest world and national developments. Politics is in essence the study of power: who has it, how it is used and, most importantly, how we control those with it so that they do not abuse it or us. Politics really matters in all our lives as it is the process by which society decides its social, economic and moral priorities.
What will I study?
As most students will not have studied Politics previously, prior knowledge is not expected. We follow the Edexcel A level course, studying British Politics in the Lower Sixth and American Politics in the Upper Sixth.. The course itself concentrates on the changeing values of British Politics, including:
• Electoral systems and voting behaviour
• Features of a representative democracy
• Issues in British politics today
• Parties and pressure groups
• Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Parliament
• The government and politics of the USA
The course is excellent preparation for a wide variety of university courses and people orientated careers such as law, journalism, government, human resources, teaching and politics. Most of all, Politics prepares students to be active citizens, knowledgeable about their country
and how it is governed and prepared and willing to participate in political processes.
Assessment Information
Edexcel A level Government and Politics
Component 1: UK Politics
Component 2: UK Government
Component 3: Comparative Politics
3 Papers of 2 hours’ duration