A level Politics Years 12 & 13
Specification
EDEXCEL - The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/politics-2017.html
Aim
- Develop knowledge and an informed understanding of contemporary political structures and issues in their historical context, both within the United Kingdom (UK) and globally.
- Develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes.
- Develop knowledge and an informed understanding of the influences and interests which have an impact on decisions in government and politics.
- Develop knowledge and an informed understanding of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups.
- Develop the ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information to form arguments and make judgements.
- Develop an interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics.
Methods of Teaching & Learning
At A Level pupils will use political terms, concepts and skills and make links and draw comparisons across different political systems. Students will gain understanding of abstract political concepts through grounding them in contemporary real world examples and case studies that will develop an international awareness and knowledge of multiple perspectives. Pupils will be taught through a variety of methods, including whole group lectures, as well as tutorial style work for individuals and small groups. Pupils will be encouraged to learn through independent study.
Qualities and Qualifications Needed to study Politics In The Sixth Form
It is expected that pupils will have at least a grade 5 in English at GCSE. Pupils need to be good at essay work, source evaluation and willing to work independently. The most important quality needed is the willingness to work, ask questions and take ownership of your learning.
Why Study Politics?
We don’t always like politicians and the things that governments do but the business of politics touches every aspect of our lives. No matter whether government makes you feel angry or reassured, it’s worth having a knowledge of how the whole process works. By studying Politics, you will investigate in detail how people and politics interact.
We live in an increasingly complex world with significant challenges, including global terrorism, poverty, economic instability, weapons proliferation, failing states and environmental degradation. These challenges require global co-operation if they are to be resolved. Global politics gives you an opportunity to develop an understanding of the local, national, international and global dimensions of political activity. It also gives you the opportunity to explore the political issues that affect all of us.
Many students who have taken the A Level in Government and Politics go on to study Politics at university. From there you might become a researcher, join local or national government or even start on the path to become a future Prime Minister! But there are other degree and job options too. If you fancy a career in journalism or law or the media, this course is very useful.
There will be three two hour examinations that will examine the topics given below.
UK Politics
- Democracy and participation
- Political parties
- Electoral systems
- Voting behaviour and the media.
UK Government
- The constitution
- Parliament
- Prime Minister and executive
- Relationships between the branches.
Political Ideas
- Liberalism
- Conservatism
- Socialism.
- Feminism.
Global Politics
- The state and globalisation
- Global governance: political and economic
- Global governance: human rights and environmental
- Power and developments
- Regionalism and the European Union
- Comparative theories.
Year 12
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 |
Democracy and Participation Electoral Systems |
Representative and direct democracy Debates over widening the suffrage Pressure groups Rights in context Different electoral systems Referendums Electoral system analysis |
Note making Essay writing Debate Analysis Evaluation Interpretation of Political Information |
| 2 |
Political Parties Voting Behaviour and the Media |
Political Parties Established parties Minor and emerging parties Political parties in context Case studies of three general elections Influence of the media |
As above |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 |
The Prime Minister and the Executive The Constitution |
Structure, role and power of the Executive Concept of ministerial responsibility The powers of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to dictate events and determine policy Nature and sources of UK constitution Changes since 1997 Role and power of devolved institutions Debate on further changes to the constitution |
As above |
| 2 |
Parliament Relationship Between Branches |
Structure and role of the House of Commons and House of Lords Comparative powers of the two houses of parliament Legislative process How Parliament interacts with the Executive The Supreme Court and its interactions with, and influence over, the legislative and policy-making processes. The aims, role and impact of the European Union (EU) on UK government. The location of sovereignty in the UK political system |
As above |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 |
Liberalism Conservatism |
Core ideas and principles Tensions within the ideology Key thinkers and their ideas |
As above |
| 2 |
Socialism Non-Core Ideology |
Core ideas and principles Tensions within the ideology Key thinkers and their ideas |
As above |
Year 13
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 |
The State and Globalisation |
The state: nation-state and of national sovereignty. The process of globalisation and its impact on the state system Debates about the impact of globalisation The ways and extent to which globalisation addresses and resolves contemporary issues, such as poverty, conflict, human rights and the environment. |
Note making Essay writing Debate Analysis Evaluation Interpretation of Political Information |
| 1 | Comparative Theories |
Main ideas of realism. Main ideas of liberalism Divisions between realism and liberalism Main ideas of the anarchical society and society of states theory An evaluation of the extent to which realism and liberalism explain recent developments (since 2000) in global politics |
As above |
| 2 |
Global Governance: Political and Economic |
United Nations and NATO IMF, World Bank, G7/G8/G20, WTO Significance of how global economic governance deals with the issue of poverty The role and significance of the global civil society and non-state actors, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) |
As above |
| 2 | Global Governance: Human rights and environment |
Human rights - Origins and development of international law and institutions (International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court, special UN tribunals and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in creating the concept of global politics. The key issues of these institutions in dealing with human rights |
As above |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 |
Global Governance: Human rights and environment |
The role and significance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The ways and extent to which these institutions address and resolve contemporary global issues, such as those involving conflict, poverty, human rights and the environment. |
As above |
| 1 | Power and developments |
Different types of power. Differing significance of states in global affairs and how and why state power is classified. Polarity. Different systems of government. The ways and extent to which the changing relationships and actions of states in relation to power and developments address and resolve contemporary global issues, such as those involving conflict, poverty, human rights and the environment. |
As above |
| 2 |
Regionalism and the EU |
Different forms of regionalism Debates about and the reasons for and significance of regionalism. Development of regional organisations, excluding the EU. Factors that have fostered European integration and the major developments through which this has occurred. Significance of the EU as an international body/global actor, including the constraints and obstacles affecting it The ways and extent to which regionalism addresses and resolves contemporary global issues involving conflict, poverty, human rights and the environment. |
As above |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 |
Revision |
Revision of both physical and human topics using past papers/question/the revision work booklet and revision booklet |
As above |
Assessments
| Resources | Topic | Type of assessment |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 1 | UK politics |
1 x 30 mark source essay 1 x 30 mark essay 1 x 30 mark source essay 1 x 30 mark essay |
| CAT 2 |
UK Government |
Essay |
| CAT 3 | Ideologies UK Politics UK Government |
24 mark essay
Formal Examination |
| CAT 4 |
Globalisation Comparative Theories |
1 x 12 mark essay 1 x 30 mark essay
1 x 12 mark essay 1 x 30 mark essay |
| CAT 5 |
UK Politics UK Government Ideologies Global Politics |
Formal Examination |
Main Resources
| Resource | Details | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Set texts |
UK Government and Politics and for AS/A-Level by Philip Lynch Pearson Edexcel Politics by Sara Jenkins, David Tuck et al UK Government and Politics for AS/A-Level by Neil McNaughton Political ideas for A Level: Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism, Nationalism, Multiculturalism, Ecologism by Richard Kelly and Neil McNaughton |
1-4 1-4 1-4 5-6 |
| Recommended reading |
Politics Review Magazine A good quality newspaper or news website The Week Magazine |
|
| Recommended Websites | All |
Enrichment opportunities
| Activity | Day and time or term |
|---|---|
