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Decisions made by government affect our lives on a day-to-day basis, but how much influence do we have over these decisions and how much should you have? On this course, you will gain an understanding of the UK and the USA’s political landscape including the ability to interpret what politicians are saying and the key issues of the day.Topics covered include: democracy, political parties, pressure groups, US politics and the political ideologies, liberalism, conservatism, socialism and anarchism. You will learn through lively discussion and debate, group and individual work. There will be many opportunities to widen your enjoyment of this subject through listening to guest speakers from a variety of political perspectives and going on trips, including a visit to Parliament and attending student conferences.
Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, which include English Language alongside an active interest in politics and current affairs.
The world of politics is fast-moving and fluid. Politics influences our everyday lives and our understanding of often complex events can be obscured by conflicting information and ideas. How do we make sense of these events? Politics focuses on how we manage disagreements in society – national and global. In other words, it concentrates on the analysis of current affairs, parliament and other institutions, and generally the events and issues that affect our day-to-day lives. A knowledge of such things helps us to answer questions that are directly relevant to us – for example, why are we allowed to drive at 17 but not vote until we get to 18?You will study:Component 1: UK Politics• Political Participation: Democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.• Core Political Ideas: Conservatism, liberalism, socialism. Component 2: UK Government• UK Government: The constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches.• Optional Political Ideas: AnarchismComponent 3: Comparative Politics USA• The US Constitution and federalism, US congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court, democracy and participation, civil rights.
Lesson activities are wide-ranging and include debates and discussions on the latest political events in order to make sense of politics as it unfolds. There is a significant amount of History covered in this subject – a love of history would be an advantage. You will be required to write essays and plan time to coduct further reading around this exciting subject.
100% exams – three exam papers making up 33% of the final mark each.
Essential purchase of essential textbooks across the two year course: £40.Parliament Trip.
