Government & politics

government & politics Government & Politics - AS/A2

Exam Board: Edexcel

Politicians have a huge power over us but how much power do we have over politicians?

How democratic is the UK? Are there more differences within the Labour & Conservative Parties than between them?

Have British Prime Ministers become presidential?

What is Liberalism?

Is Government & Politics for you?

You must have achieved at least 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including at least a grade C in English Language.

You want to start to understand how political processes work and then begin to make your own informed decisions on political issues.

You must take an active interest in politics, political issues and processes.

You want to study a subject that is dynamic and contemporary.

You enjoy debate and discussion.

You want to develop your writing skills, ability to develop a reasoned argument and consider different viewpoints.

What will I learn?

AS Year

Other Ideological Traditions

People and Politics This unit covers four key themes: Democracy and Political Participation: the nature of democracy e.g. direct, representative, liberal; democracy in the UK; enhancing democracy e.g. should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Political Parties and Ideas: Nature of political parties, traditions and policies of parties, e.g.

Socialism, One-Nation Toryism, Thatcherism, & comparing party policies & ideas.

Pressure Groups: Nature of Pressure Groups, Power of Pressure Groups, Pressure groups & democracy.

Elections: Elections and democracy, Elections in the UK, debating electoral systems.

How will I be assessed?

All assessment for this course is through written examination.

Governing the UK This unit covers four themes: The Constitution: the nature of the British Constitution; sovereignty & the constitution; reforming the constitution, e.g. developing a knowledge & understanding of key reforms to the constitution since 1997 & an awareness of their advantages & disadvantages.

Parliament: The relationship between Parliament & the Government; the role of Parliament, including the composition, role & powers of the House of Commons & the House of Lords & an awareness of the functions of Parliament & how effectively it discharges them; reforming Parliament.

The Prime Minister & Cabinet: The role of the Prime Minister & Cabinet; powers of the Prime Minister; Prime Ministerial leadership.

Judges and Civil Liberties: Role of the judiciary; power & influence of judges; civil liberties & individual rights.

A2 Year Introducing Political Ideologies This topic introduces students to the subject of political ideology & examines the major ideas of liberalism, conservatism, socialism & anarchism.You will learn about core ideas, doctrines & theories of liberal ideology, particularly as they affect liberal views on human nature, the state, society & the economy. You will gain an awareness of the breadth of anarchism, particularly of differences between collectivist anarchism and individualist anarchism & of anarchism’s relationship to socialism & liberalism.

Expect more from your sixth form Facebook.com/birkenheadsixthformcollege

This topic examines the ideological traditions that have developed out of, or emerged in opposition to, liberalism, conservatism & socialism: Nationalism, Feminism, Ecologism & Multiculturalism. You will gain knowledge of the core ideas, doctrines & theories of feminist thought, of tensions within feminism & of competing feminist traditions, notably an understanding of the distinctive features of liberal feminism, socialist/Marxistfeminism & radical feminism, taking into account more recent developments.

@BSFC

What activities can I get involved in?

You will have opportunities to expand your learning beyond the classroom by taking part in a number of trips during the course.

Visits include trips to the Houses of Parliament and to an A Level conference in London as well as talks, for example,the Roscoe Lecture Series in Liverpool. Our students have also appeared as audience members on BBC’s Question Time, Sky News and on Radio 5 Live. The History/Politics Department also organises the College debate club which is a thriving extra-curricular club, as well as public speaking competitions such as the Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition.

Where does it lead?

Studying Politics will develop critical analytical skills and writing abilities and as such is very well respected by Universities as a rigorous subject.

It is useful if you wish to study History or any Social Science, such as Economics or Business at University. It is particularly useful for those interested in careers in Law, Journalism and, of course, Politics.

Some students may wish to go on to study Politics in Higher Education. This will allow you to seek employment in a range of politically-related environments including the civil service, local government, the European Commission, working with an MP or MEP, in the headquarters of one the leading political parties, pressure groups and think tanks. Even if you choose another subject, Politics allows you to acquire a range of key skills and attributes that will be highly prized by employers in management, marketing, public relations, retail, accountancy and banking.

tel: 0151 652 5575 email: enrol@bsfc.ac.uk

bsfc.ac.uk