Course Overview
If you are interested in current events, finding out about how government works and why people vote for different political parties, then Government and Politics is the ideal course for you.
The study of Government and Politics equips you with important skills, including literacy skills, analysis and evaluation, how to construct arguments and also compare and contrast different viewpoints.
Unit 1: U.K. Politics and core political ideas (33%)
You will study how people participate in politics by considering what democracy is, how people vote and what effects their choice when voting. How different election systems work and how different voting systems would affect the outcome of an election. You will learn how pressure groups try to influence government and study some of the most famous U.K General Elections of recent years. You will also deepen your understanding of the political parties of the UK: the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, in addition to the other smaller political parties.
In the second element of this unit, you will look at the core political ideas that underpin most political parties; conservatism, liberalism, socialism. In these lessons, you will read some of the most important political thinkers such as John Locke, Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx
Unit 2: U.K. Government and a non-core political idea e.g anarchism (33%)
You will study how the different branches of U.K government work. What the U.K constitution is and how it has evolved from the Magna Carta and has been reformed in recent years to devolve power from Westminster to regional governments. How Parliament works and hold government accountable as well as the role and powers of the Prime Minister. Most importantly, you will study how these different branches of U.K government interact with and work alongside each other.
In the second element of this unit, you will study a non-core political idea from a choice of anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism or nationalism. The exact choice of non-core political idea will be made in the Spring term of Year 12.
Unit 3: Comparative Politics: the USA (33%)
This unit mirrors the U.K Government unit and you will study similar features of the US government and compare these to their U.K counterparts. You will study the US Constitution and federalism work. Additionally, you will look at how the US Congress functions and the office of President. You will also consider how the US Supreme Court checks the power of Congress and the President and some of its landmark cases, such as Roe v Wade. You will also look at how people vote in America and the key features of the Democrat and Republican parties.
How is it assessed?
You will sit 3 exams at the end of year 13 which will make up 100% of your total mark.
Trips
You will have the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court in London.
Entry Requirements
All students need a GCSE grade 5 English Language and Maths.
