Course Details

Have you ever wondered how democratic the UK is? Why experts currently believe the Conservatives will win the next General Election? Or why Americans elected someone like Donald Trump to be their President, only to replace him with a 78 year old former vice-president? If so, you will undoubtedly enjoy our Government and Politics course offerings (AS and A level) for next year. So, come along and vote with your feet! These new spec course offerings have been designed to reflect a truly modern and evolving political environment in the UK and around the world.

At AS level you will be studying UK government and politics, which will give you a core knowledge and understanding of the UK political system. You will:

• Develop an understanding of how British democracy works and its many challenges.
• Consider either parliament or the Supreme Court can contain the power of the prime minister.
• Improve your political awareness via, for example, current affairs, news media and classroom debate.
• Develop your analytical and communication skills as well as critical thinking – skills that are essential for you to succeed in the workplace and in higher education.

You will be able to build on your knowledge and understanding at A-level by studying three core political ideas and another one from a choice of five. You will then study the government and politics of the USA.

Modules Studied

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 Constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches

Non-core political ideas:

One idea from the following – anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism.

Component 3: Comparative Politics

For U.S.A. you will study:

US Constitution and Federalism, US Congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories.

What can I do after I have completed this course?

Government and Politics is a good choice for students who wish to study social sciences or humanities courses in higher education, as well as those who would like to go on to a career in local or national government, the civil service, law, or journalism. With further training, you could go into a job in local or national government within the areas of housing, tax, education, travel, and other areas of government. This would be ideal preparation for being elected to public office – perhaps even as a future prime minister!

In addition, in the process of taking this course, you will develop the analytical skills and the critical thinking so sought after by many employers today.