Government and Politics

EXAMINATION BOARD: EDEXCEL SPECIFICATION CODE: 9PLO EXPECTED GCSE REQUIREMENTS: A GRADE 7 OR ABOVE IN GCSE ENGLISH. IF YOU STUDY GCSE HISTORY, A GRADE 7 OR ABOVE.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Studying Politics at A Level will help you understand the major institutions and process of UK government and how these have changed and adapted to new developments such as Brexit. You will also be introduced to key political thinkers, such as John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx and Thomas Hobbes, and we will examine how each of these thinkers argues society and government should be organised. Part of the excitement and the challenge of studying politics is the fact that it is always changing. Domestic and world events often take us by surprise and the speed with which major political developments occur increases with new technology.

In the Lower Sixth, you will begin by studying democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems and voting behaviour and the media. In the Spring term, you will examine the UK Constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and Executive, as well as relationships between the branches including the Supreme Court.

In the Upper Sixth, we will spend our time discussing the Politics and Government of the USA including the US Constitution and the US Supreme Court and Congress. In the Spring Term, we will look at the system of choosing and electing a US President and US Political Parties.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

100% Written examination - there is no coursework.

Paper 1: UK Government and Core Ideologies (Socialism, Conservatism and Liberalism)

Paper 2: UK Politics and non-Core Ideologies (Anarchism)

Paper 3: US Government and Politics

WHERE WILL THIS TAKE ME?

Politics provides you with a diverse set of key skills that will be highly attractive to employers: n The ability to research, source and examine information thoroughly. n The capacity to critically analyse evidence and construct coherent arguments. n Excellent written and public speaking skills. n Intellectual independence.

The skills that you will acquire also equip you for a wide range of degrees including Law,Management, Social Science and Humanities courses.

Many Tormead pupils have gone on to study Politics related degrees at university such as International Relations, Politics and History, Politics and Law and, of course, Politics itself.

If you do study Politics at university, there are a wide range of careers available to you such as law, finance, the media, academic research, teaching and a range of politically related areas such as working in Parliament, for an MP or political party.

WHAT ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES ARE THERE?

n Trip to the Houses of Parliament in the Lower Sixth.

n Trip to Washington DC every two years (if numbers allow).

n Public lectures at Surrey University and London.