Government and Politics
Politics is the way a society or a group manages conflict and disagreement. Government is the organisation through which a sovereign state formulates and administers public policy, and exercises control over society.
Through the study of government and politics you will become familiar with how political power is gained and used, and learn how governments and political systems work in both the British and international contexts.
Course Structure
| Qual. Level | Module Code | Module Title | Assessment Type | % of Level | % Overall A Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS Level | 6GP01 | People and Politics | Examination 1 hour 20 mins | 50 | 25 |
| 6GP02 | Governing the UK | Examination 1 hour 20 mins | 50 | 25 | |
| A2 Level | 6GP03 Topic D | Structures of Global Politics | Examination 1 hour 30 mins | 50 | 25 |
| 6GP04 Topic D | Global Political Issues | Examination 1 hour 30 mins | 50 | 25 |
Course Content
The course follows the Edexcel A-Level specification. In the first year (AS) you will study two units on British government and politics. In Unit 1 you will be introduced to the key concepts of democracy and participation, and then study the electoral system, political parties, and pressure groups. In Unit 2 you will examine the nature of the British Constitution, explore how Parliament works, analyse the powers of the Prime Minister and the functions of the Cabinet, and consider how well civil liberties are protected in the UK. In the second year (A2) you will study two units on global politics. In Unit 3D, you will study the institutional framework of international relations. In Unit 4D, you will engage with debates on significant global problems including conflict, war and terrorism, poverty and development, the environment, and human rights. You will acquire several transferable skills that will be valuable for further study and your future career, including how to locate and evaluate of sources of information, how to read and take notes effectively, how to analyse an argument and debate an issue, and how to write a well-structured and convincing essay.
Career Opportunities
You will find this qualification useful for several degree courses, including Politics and International Relations, Contemporary History, War Studies, and Law. The knowledge and skills that you acquire will also be relevant for careers in the law, the police, customs, taxation, immigration, the armed forces, local government, teaching, journalism, and television.
Entry Requirements
Candidates must have the standard Sixth Form entry criteria, including GCSE English Language to at least grade B. You must be willing to read sources beyond the set texts, including scholarly books and articles, and quality newspapers. You will also need to watch relevant TV programmes in order to keep up to date with issues and events.
Costs
The course does not incur any costs beyond the initial College registration fee.
Links
Edexcel: www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/gce08/gov/Pages/default.aspx
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