GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

WHAT IS GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS?

Political events and decisions affect all our lives. We have witnessed the 2005 UK General Election and the decline since of Labour and Gordon Brown, the American Presidential Election of 2004 and the bitter midterm election of 2006, leading to a fascinating 2008 Presidential Election. Although these matters may seem remote to many of us, they are important and need to be understood if we are to play a full role as a citizen in our society.

The 21st century will see the world evolve into a global village within which we will be living and working. It is necessary for you to understand how Parliament functions, how different legislatures, like Parliament and Congress work, what your rights are and how Political change is brought about. If you want to be informed about the governmental structures of both the UK and the United States – then Government and Politics is the right A Level subject choice.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

• How to develop a critical awareness of political events and issues and   the relationship between political ideas, institutions and processes
• What the rights and responsibilities of individuals are in order to encourage participation by citizens within society
• What the structures of authority and power are within the political systems of both the United Kingdom and the United States of America and how these may differ from each other

USEFUL SKILLS AND INTERESTS

• A lively and enquiring mind
• An interest in politics and current affairs
• A desire to explore new ideas
• An ability to communicate your ideas effectively

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

The AS course is made up of two modules, each worth 25% of the total marks. Units one and two maybe awarded as a discrete AS qualification or count as 50% of the full A level.

Unit 1 – People and Politics

This Unit introduces students to the study of politics by looking at the central ideas of citizenship, democracy and participation, and by examining the representative processes in the UK. What is politics and why is political participation important? What is democracy and how does it differ from dictatorship? Do elections guarantee democracy? What is the role of political parties? How important are pressure groups?

Unit 2 – Governing the UK

This Unit provides an introduction to the major institutions of UK Government, examines their relationships with one another and considers their effectiveness. How adequate is the UK Constitution? What is the role and significance of Parliament? How powerful is the Prime Minister? Do judges deliver justice and defend freedom?

In the second year, after successful completion of the AS course, you can opt to continue your studies with a further two units, each worth 25% respectively.

Unit 3 – Representation Process in the USA

This Unit examines the representative processes of the US political system and considers their adequacy in terms of popular participation and full democracy. The unit examines Elections and Voting, Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Racial and Ethnic Politics.

Unit 4 – Governing the USA

This Unit examines the institutional framework of US government and considers the interrelationships between its legislature (Congress), Executive (President), and Judiciary (Supreme Court) and their role within the US Constitution – the oldest constitution in the world.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

In both the AS and the A2 each of the two modules has a written examination lasting from 1hr 20mins. The exams consist of a mixture of long essays and short answers.

COURSE COMMITMENT

You must keep up with current affairs each week and spend at least four hours each week reading around the subject.

COURSE COSTS

In the first year of the course there is a trip to Westminster costing approximately £70.00 and in the second year there is a visit to Washington which costs between £550 and £600. Both of these visits are optional. You will also be required to purchase a “Politics Review” costing £11.95. All other text books and course materials are provided by the Department.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

It is preferable for you to have attained at least Grade C in GCSE English Language as you will be required to read a wide variety of materials, make notes and write essays/structured essays during your studies in preparation for the unit examinations. It is also important that you have an interest in new and current affairs.

PROGRESSION ROUTES

A broader education is the key to success in the future; if you want to keep your options open then Government and Politics is a useful choice to make as it can lead on to a wide range of careers:  Business, Economics, Law, Media, Philosophy and, of course, Politics. Government and Politics can be combined with a number of Humanities and Social Science AS Levels and is a worthwhile complement to any science subject too.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The full course specifications can be found at www.edexcel.org.uk 

If you require further information please contact Alison Dodds, the Department Manager or David Stoten.