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AS Government and Politics

This subject may be offered at more than one Southern Consortium school site. The teaching of this subject may be at any one of the sites listed below.

The information on this webpage is a guide only. Topics, units and course content may vary from those listed below.

AS Government and Politics @ SRS

The syllabus requires students to study a number of modules, which provide students with a firm understanding of the nature of British Politics in the early twenty-first century. Students are encouraged to adopt a research and enquiry approach to their learning, which are very relevant to progressing beyond “A” level to employment or higher education.

AS Units

1. People and Politics (50% of your AS or 25% of A2)

2. Governing the UK (50% of your AS or 25% of A2)

A2 Units

3. Topic C: Representative Processes in the USA ( 25% of A2)

4. Topic C: Governing the USA ( 25% of A2)

You will be assessed by a one-hour, fifteen minute exam for each unit you take. You are allowed to retake each unit once and you can only start the A2 if you have already completed the AS level. However, you have the choice of stopping after the AS level has been attained.

Why choose Government and Politics As/A2?

Are you:

• interested in the way that the country is run and the way that important decisions are made?
• interested in the judicial process and the way that laws are made and interpreted?
• concerned about democracy, participation and citizenship in the UK?
• keen to discover different ideological traditions and political concepts such as democracy and participation?
• a person who wants to take part in political processes and activities?

This course will enable you to acquire knowledge and understanding of government and politics and communicate such understanding effectively. It will also develop your critical awareness of political events and issues and provide you with the skills to argue a case with relevance and coherence. By the end of the course you will have a clear understanding of the theories, motives and values that underpin political processes and governmental decision making, along with an appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of the individual in our modern world.

What use is AS/A2 Government and Politics to me?

• Government and Politics develop many skills in great demand by employers e.g. thinking, research and communication skills.
• Government and Politics shows you are able to combine complex ideologies, theories and traditions to form your own intelligent opinions and views.
• A government and politics A level signifies you as a individual who can analyse and evaluate institutions, processes and behaviour
• The course provides you with the skill to select and organise relevant material to construct arguments and explanations, which lead to reasoned conclusions.

Occupations such as journalism, media, civil service, local government, education and law all value a qualification in government and politics.

 

AS Government and Politics @ JRCS

Outline of the course

This course introduces students to the political framework of Britain. The AS concentrates on the way that government works in our country looking at Parliament, pressure groups and the political parties. One third of the AS covers contemporary issues and recent changes. The A2 has a different focus and is a chance to study different political ideologies, looking at their development and their impact on the world today.

Skills you will develop include:

• An understanding of modern British society
• Debating and discussion skills – verbally and in written form
• An analytical approach to issues and problems

Assessment

There are no coursework tasks. All the assessments are written exams taken in January and May/June. The final A2 exam tests the students’ knowledge of aspects of the whole course. A2 exams require longer, more structured pieces of writing than the AS exams.

AS level	Name	Details	Assessment
Unit 1	People and Politics	Democracy and Political Participation Party Policies and Ideas Elections Pressure Groups	Exam (likely to be sat in January) 1 hour 20 mins 2 questions from a choice of 4.
Unit 2	Governing the UK	The Constitution Parliament The Prime Minister and Cabinet Judges and Civil Liberties	Exam (May) 1 hour 20 mins 1 stimulus based question from a choice of 2. One extended question from a choice of 2.

 

A2 level	Name	Details	Assessment
Unit 3	Introducing Political Ideologies	Liberalism Socialism Conservatism Anarchism	Examination 1 hour 30 minutes Mix of short answer questions and essays.
Unit 4	Other Ideological Traditions	Feminism Nationalism Ecologism Multiculturalism	Examination 1 hour 30 minutes Mix of short answer questions and essays.

 

Careers and further study

Government and Politics is a useful subject if you are thinking of working in any of a variety of areas including law, civil service and social work. It is proof to any employer that you are interested in current events and being involved in society. So it is also useful if you are thinking of being involved in media, voluntary work or campaigning.

Being familiar with political concepts and the way government works can help in any area of employment, unemployment and leisure – as you become involved in organisations and wider society.

The skills of analysis and debate enable you to be a successful student – whatever your area of interest.

 

AS Government and Politics @ EB

This specification now consists of four units of assessment instead of six, two at AS and two at A2. While there is some continuity with the structure of the previous specification, all content has been updated in the light of recent political developments and students are encouraged to engage with contemporary political debates.

Year 12

The AS course seeks to develop students ability to critically assess a range of opinions and develop analytical skills. The course would sit well in combination with either History or Law. The course is assessed by two exams of 1 hour 20 minutes and no coursework is involved.

Unit 1 – People and Politics

• The concept of Democracy
• Political Parties and their function
• Contemporary political ideology
• Pressure Groups
• Electoral systems

Unit 2 – Governing the UK

• Nature and potential reforms of UK constitution
• Nature and potential reforms of UK legislature and executive
• Role of Prime Minister and Cabinet

UK Judiciary system

Throughout the course, students will be expected to be involved in student presentations and seminars both as part of a group and as individuals. This will altogether prepare you for the world of work and University with meetings, debates and the ability to put forward your opinion backed up by analytical essays.

Year 13

The two units which convert the A/S into a full 'A' Level are as follows:

The course is assessed by two exams of 1 hour 30 minutes and no coursework is involved.

Unit 3 - Key Themes in Political analysis

This unit introduces students to key themes in political analysis. Students will need to study one of the following topics:

• Topic A: UK Political Issues
• Topic B: Introducing Political Ideologies
• Topic C: Representative Processes in the USA Topic D: Structures of Global Politics.

Unit 4 – Extended Themes in Political Analysis

This unit extends students’ understanding of key themes in political analysis.

Students will need to study one of the following topics:

• Topic A: EU Political Issues
• Topic B: Other Ideological Traditions
• Topic C: Governing the USA
• Topic D: Global Political Issues.

Students will gain a solid understanding of the UK political system as well as developing a broad knowledge of political issue son the world stage.

 

AS Government and Politics @ DP

Are you interested in current affairs?

Do you have an opinion or point of view?

Can you express yourself and make your point in a constructive manner?

Then maybe Government and Politics is for you!

What does the course include?

Unit One - People and Politics

In this unit you will be introduced to how people can and do become involved with the decisions and the decision making process that effects everyone in the country.

Unit Two - Governing the UK

In this unit you will discover how the country is run and who exactly is running it.

Unit Three - The changing UK system

In this unit you will consider the current political systems and explore how they are changing now and will continue to change in the future.

This course run by EdExcel ( www.edexcel.org.uk ) aims to enable students to understand and explore political ideas and concepts as they relate to their own lives. The course encourages pupils to research, develop and present ideas and arguments in a structured and constructive manner and offers them the opportunity to explore their own and others ideals and beliefs.