Where do I start from?
Along with the School’s minimum requirements, you will need a minimum grade B in GCSE
English or in a GCSE Humanities due to the nature of political concepts and the significant amount of specialist reading and essay writing that you will need to do. It is not a pre-requisite that you should have studied GCSE Government and Politics.
What will I study?
The decisions of politicians and the Government have a profound effect on all our lives. These decisions may be about Education or the
National Health Service, Law and Order or whether Britain should stay within the EU.
Government and Politics is the study of these and other issues and the institutions that deal with them.
The course is divided into four modules. The AS deals with two modules. The first, 'People and
Politics', looks at political parties, pressure groups and rights & responsibilities. The second, 'Governing the UK', looks at the role of
Parliament, the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, the
Civil Service and the Judiciary. The issue of political and constitutional reform is dealt with throughout the two units.
The A2 deals with the other two modules. The third module deals with traditional political ideology such as conservation and socialism.
The fourth module deals with newer ideologies such as feminism, nationalism and anarchism.
The issue of developing ideology within the UK is dealt with throughout the two A2 units.
How will I be assessed?
There are termly assessments and internal examinations throughout the course. All students sit the AS modules at the end of Year
12. The first module is an hour and 20 minutes in length and consists of two structured questions from a choice of four. Module two is also an hour and 20 minutes long and consists of one stimulus question from a choice of two and one extended question from a choice of two.
Modules three and four will be sat in the summer of Year 13. Units three and four are 1 hour and 30 minutes long and each module consists of three short questions from a choice of five and one question from a choice of three essays.
How will I study?
Lessons will vary in style depending on the topic being studied and will involve class discussion, videos, making notes, supported self-study and detailed examination preparation. Homework will reflect the wide range of learning opportunities set on a regular basis and is used, in addition to tests, to monitor your progress.
You will be expected to make full use of your non-contact time. Audio-visual and computer software is used to enhance learning strategies, and the Library has a wide range of relevant up to date resources.
What does it combine well with?
Most obviously with other Social Science subjects such as Sociology, Religious Studies and Economics. It also combines well with
History, Geography, English Literature and
Drama. Indeed, there are few A. Levels that this does not combine well with.
Many students studying Social Science subjects go on to University and this has been enhanced with the introduction of Government and Politics.
Government and Politics is a challenging A.
Level, best suited to students with an interest in the area and a disciplined and organised attitude to study. b\Документ1