Politics
Contact : Mr C Braidwood-Smith Email : braidwoodc @ pocklingtonschool . com
Course : A Level Politics Exam Board : Edexcel
What a time to study Politics ! This subject is one of the most contemporary and fast moving subjects at A level . Recent months have highlighted the exciting , turbulent and unpredictable nature of politics and why the study of it is not only interesting but vital . The government institutions and politics in the UK and the USA are at the heart of the specification ; ideologies and global issues are also covered .
CONTENT OF COURSE
Component 1 – UK Politics Democracy and participation Political parties Electoral systems Voting behaviour and the media plus core political ideas : conservatism , liberalism , socialism
Component 2 – UK Government The constitution Parliament Prime Minister and executive Relationships between the branches . Plus one ( teacher selected ) idea from the following : anarchism , ecologism , feminism , multiculturalism , nationalism
Component 3 – USA – Comparative Politics US Constitution and federalism US Congress US Presidency US Supreme Court
Democracy and participation Civil rights
COURSE ENTRY AND QUALIFICATIONS
The skills emphasis is on clear , concise writing using argument and judgement . Academic qualifications for the course are the same as the school Sixth Form requirement .
The most important thing is to have an interest in the political world and to be prepared to immerse oneself in it .
POLITICS AS A QUALIFICATION FOR FURTHER STUDY AND CAREER OPTIONS
The subject works well in combination with a variety of other subjects although there are very obvious connections with History , Economics or Geography .
A level Politics is a recognised entry qualification for many university courses and is a popular degree course in its own right , either by itself or in combination with other subjects .
International Relations , History , American Studies and Languages are all common combinations with Politics at university .
Students who study Politics often move into a variety of career fields ranging from journalism , law , the public sector and business through to working in politics itself .
COURSE OUTLINE
A level ( examining all components of the 2 year course )
PAPER CONTENT MARKS AVAILABLE
Component 1 UK Politics 33.3 % Component 2 UK Government 33.3 %
“ I think I ’ m almost too honest to be a politician .”
Donald Trump
Component 3 USA Comparative Politics 33.3 %
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