A Level Politics
Exciting times.
Has there ever been a more exciting time to study politics? The instability caused by the Brexit vote, the Presidency of Donald Trump and the acrimonious arrival of Joe Biden into office, a bitterly divided country and political U-Turn after political U-Turn closer to home in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
The Labour Party under the still new leadership of Keir Starmer is looking to challenge a Boris Johnson led government in difficult times, and the Conservative Party remains divided over what kind of future Britain should have now the United Kingdom has left the EU. Indeed, is this still going to be a ‘united’ kingdom by the end of your time in the Sixth Form? Will there be another referendum on Scotland? Now there is effectively another border down the middle of the Irish Sea will there be a United Ireland?
The next two years in British and American politics will shape the future. Two years ago, no one would have foreseen recent events. There is a great deal of uncertainty ahead and you can experience and analyse it!
1. UK Politics
1. Political Participation, students will study:
Democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.
How do we vote? What are referendums? How can we explain the result of the last election? Is our system fair? Should 16 year olds be given the vote? Will there be a second referendum on Brexit or Scottish Independence?
Why did people vote for Brexit? How do gender, age, ethnicity and region affect how we vote. What is the role of the media and opinion polls in elections?
2. Political Ideas
students will study: conservatism, liberalism, socialism, anarchism
What is the difference between a baby and a bike?
Only when you know the answer to this can you understand the Conservative view of society!
UK Government
Students will study: the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and the executive.
How does Parliament work? How is the Government formed? What does the Queen do? Why do Ministers lose their jobs? How powerful is the Prime Minister? Should our system be reformed? How will our relationship with the EU develop after Brexit?
The House of Commons. An important way of keeping the government under control or a powerless talking shop? Should we change the way it works? Should we elect the House of Lords?
Component 3: Government of the USA.
The US Constitution and federalism, US congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories.
The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States shocked the world. Why did people vote for ‘the Donald’? Why did he build a wall? What will be the legacy of the storming of the Capitol? How much of ‘Trumpism’ will Biden undo? Will he meet his promises in the first 100 days?
People say this makes the President the most powerful man in the world. Learn how the American constitution severely limits the power of the executive.
Assessment
You will be examined at the end of the two year course with three 2 hour examinations.