Curriculum

Politics

Course title: Politics

What are the knowledge and skills that students will gain over Key Stage 5?

There are three broad areas of study in this specification:

  • the government and politics of the UK
  • the government and politics of the USA
  • political ideas.

The specification requires in depth study of UK and US government and politics. Comparisons across the two political systems are required in the topic entitled Comparative politics. Students will be required to identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences between aspects of politics. This will ensure that students develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics
and the relationships between political ideas, political institutions and political processes. The political ideas to be studied have relevance to both of the systems of government and politics. The study of the four ideologies will enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding of politics, political debate and political issues in both the UK and the USA.

In all components of this subject students must demonstrate the following skills:

  • to comprehend and interpret political information
  • to critically analyse and evaluate the areas of politics studied
  • to construct arguments and explanations leading to reasoned conclusions
  • to identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences between aspects of the areas of politics studied
  • to construct and communicate arguments and explanations with relevance, clarity and coherence
  • to use appropriate political vocabulary
  • to make connections between the different areas of politics studied
  • to make comparisons across two political systems.

How is it assessed?

Paper 1: Government and politics of the UK
Written exam: 2 hours • 77 marks • 33⅓ % of A-level


Paper 2: The government and politics of the USA & Comparative politics
Written exam: 2 hours • 77 marks • 33⅓ % of A-level


Paper 3: Political ideas
Written exam: 2 hours • 77 marks • 33⅓ % of A-level
All papers contain a mixture of medium length ‘explain’ and essay style questions.