Politics - A Level

You will come to understand the UK political system. Why is the Prime minister classed as ‘first amongst equals? And what prevents him or her becoming a dictator? What are the origins of the UK constitution and why can’t you buy a copy on Amazon? How democratic is the UK? How are politicians influenced? Why do people vote the way they do and are they ‘manipulated’ by the media?

You will examine the core political and philosophical ideas that have shaped our political system: What is a Conservative and are they all the same? Should people be free to do as they wish, providing they do no harm to others? What is Socialism and is it possible to achieve in a liberal democracy? What are the various strands of feminism and how have they furthered the political aims of women?

Finally, you will compare the political system of the UK with that of the USA. Is the USA a ‘beacon of democracy’? Has ‘liberty and justice for all’ been achieved in the US? Are minorities represented fairly? You will understand and utilise a number of theoretical comparative approaches in order to explain the similarities and differences between the two countries.

This course is 100% exam based. Students will complete three two hour exams at the end of the second year.

The course has three examined Units:

Paper 1: UK Politics

Two sections: Political Participation and Core Political Ideas (Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism)

Paper 2: UK Government

Two sections: UK Government and Non-Core Political ideas (Feminism)

Paper 3: Comparative Politics

3 sections, each focused on comparisons between the politics of the UK and that of the USA

Students must have a good writing ability and a Grade 5 in English Language is recommended.

Politics is an increasingly popular course at both Advanced and undergraduate level. Students who study Politics often go on to study Law, Politics, International Relations and Economics. Politics graduates can be found in the Police, the Civil Service and Journalism. They can also be found working for NGOs, charities and political parties. Fundamentally, studying Politics gives you the ability to understand the world around you, to know your rights and clarify your own political beliefs.