Government and Politics A Level

Applications Open - waiting for information from school

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Entry Requirements: - GCSE grade 5 in English (Language or Literature) and GCSE grade 5 in Mathematics

Entry criteria for individual subjects must be met in order to access those courses.

How to Apply:

External Applicants - please apply via KentChoices

Internal Applicants - there is no need to apply via KentChoices, please visit Talisman for further information

POLITICS

Examining Board: EDEXCEL, Head of Department: Mr J Chamberlain

Politics at the Harvey Grammar School has historically been a very popular subject with boys wishing to study an array of subjects at university and combines an understanding of the fabric of both the UK and US political systems, with deep routed political ideologies and current affairs. If you are looking for a subject which presents a different academic challenge to that of English, History, Geography, Sociology and Psychology but still carries strong academic credibility as other traditional ‘essay based’ subjects among universities, then Politics is the course for you. Politics is especially relevant in this modern era and covers some of the big issues and breaking stories from both the UK and the USA.

The course is assessed by way of three examinations sat at the end of Year 13, each lasting two hours. The examinations contain a mix of extended and short answer essay questions which are designed to test a student’s ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information and to make relevant and justified arguments and judgements about political events. There is no coursework in A Level Politics. The Politics course fits particularly well with students studying a variety of different subjects such as History, English, Languages, Geography, Sociology, Psychology and Economics. It has in the past, also formed a useful part of Maths/Science-based courses for many students, adding variety to an otherwise taxing academic portfolio of subjects. Studying Government and Politics at A Level is an excellent choice for anyone considering further education at university and supports a variety of interesting degree options including (but not exclusive to) Law, Criminology, Global challenges, Urban Studies, Journalism and International Relations. What will you be studying in A Level Politics?

UK Politics

• Direct and representative democracy.

• The expansion of suffrage in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the work of the suffragettes, pressure groups and other influences, and the development of rights in Britain.

• Political parties, and the development of the UK’s multi-party system.

• Different electoral systems, and the impact of referendums.

• Voting behaviour and the influence of the media.

UK Government

• UK constitution, the impact of devolution, and debates on further reform.

• UK Parliament, the role of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

• The role and powers of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

• The role and powers of the Supreme Court.

• The impact of the European Union.

Political Ideologies (conservatism and liberalism)

• How ideas and principles of conservatism and liberalism relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy.

• How ideas and principles of socialism and feminism relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy.

Government and Politics of the USA and comparative theories

• US Constitution and the main characteristics of US federalism.

• The structure of Congress (House and Senate) and how far it adequately fulfils its representative role.

• The US presidency and the extent of presidential power and accountability.

• The nature and role of the US Supreme Court, the protection of civil liberties and rights and the extent of the Court’s power

• The US electoral system, the key ideas and principles of the Democratic and Republican parties, and the importance of interest groups.

Comparison of the UK and USA constitutions, legislative branches, executive branches, judicial branches, and party

systems

There are three examinations at the end of Year 13, each lasting two hours. The examinations are mostly centred around extended writing, with each examination including two 30-mark essay questions and either a 24-mark essay question or two 12-mark short essay questions. There is no coursework in A Level Politics.

Politics

Entry Criteria: GCSE grade 5 in English (Language or Literature).

Plus: GCSE grade 5 in Mathematics

Many of our Politics students also choose to study History which fits particularly well as part of an A level programme. However, Politics also fits well with subjects such as English, Philosophy and Ethics, Geography and Economics. It has formed a useful part of Maths/Science-based courses for many students. Government and Politics at A Level is a good choice for anyone considering law, research, politics, data analysis and journalism.