Politics
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: MRS WHITTLE
Intent
Our UK Government and Politics course sets out to teach the students the A’ level specification which gives students the opportunities to develop new skills, knowledge and understanding of the wider world. This course will give students a grounding in the key structures, events, individuals, controversies and debates in the government and politics of the UK and USA. It also examines Political Ideas and their origins.
IMPLEMENTATION
The A’ level specification teaches the students a range of political knowledge and skills. Topics covered democracy in the context of the UK, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the role of the media, UK constitution and parliament, the EU, the US Constitution, US federalism, US Supreme Court and civil rights and US Congress. All A-level students will study Political ideas as a compulsory course, allowing
students to develop expertise in three core ideology, socialism, liberalism and conservatism and specialise in one other ideology which will be Feminism. A-level students will still get study to US government and politics in depth, as well as comparatively with the UK. In our comparative politics topic, A-level students will have the opportunity to engage in high level analysis and evaluation of significant issues in UK and US politics. Students are encouraged to read widely and to keep informed with current affairs. The student’s skills will be delivered through, discussion, essay writing, using written information and news programmes to develop their understanding. They consider a range of perspectives and in doing so are able to make comparisons and see alternative points of views. The students writing will develop so they are more analytical and they are able to evaluate and construct arguments.
IMPACT
This course enables students to develop their higher-order thinking and independent learning skills. The course is perfect for students wanting to study politics at a higher level and for those with a keen interest in politics. Studying this subject will develop students understanding of structures of authority and power, how political systems differ, and enable then to interpret, evaluate and comment on the nature of politics and government.
Students will also develop a range of transferrable analytical, debating and communication skills - all of which are valuable in a wide range of careers.
The course also encourages students to engage with politics and in doing so become informed citizens who are empowered to make a wider contribution to society and look more deeply into our political systems and their future lives when they gain their franchise at 18.