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A-Level Politics

Why A-Level Politics?

  • Insight into political beliefs central to an understanding of the modern world.
  • Development of analytical and evaluative skills in relation to interesting topics prevalent in the turbulent political climate of today.
  • Awareness of contemporary issues and understanding of the decisions that affect your life and those around you.
  • Development of key expressive skills such as informed debate, presentation, group work and written analysis.
  • Development of analytical and critical thinking skills that are useful to study a variety of subjects such as English Literature, Economics, Sociology, History and more.
Course Type: A-Level
Weight: Single
Specific Entry Requirements:
Grade 6 in GCSE English
Grade 6 in Humanities Subject
Contact Curriculum Leader for more information:
Mr Smith
Download Course Leaflet
The course prepares students for a range of careers in contexts such as (but not limited to)::
Civil Service, Research Officer, Policy Analysis, Political Risk Analyst, Politician/Assistant, Social Researcher

Course Outline

During Year 12, students will study the following 2 units:

Unit 1: UK Politics

In this unit, you will be introduced to some basic ideas in UK politics. You will be able to understand democracy and participation, electoral systems and the different political parties. We will look at how people vote and the influence that the media has on this voting behaviour. We will then look at the core political ideas behind Conservatism, Socialism and Liberalism.

Component 1 - UK Politics

  • Democracy and Participation
  • Electoral Systems
  • Political Parties
  • Voting Behaviour and the Media
  • Core Political Ideas—Conservatism
  • Core Political Ideas—Socialism
  • Core Political Ideas—Liberalism

Unit 2: UK Government

In this unit, you will learn about the UK constitution, Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Executive, relations between the branches and a non-core political idea – that of Nationalism. This unit focuses more on ideas outside the scope of traditional politics and more on other ideologies that have become more prevalent over the course of the last 20-30 years.

Component 2 - UK Government

  • The Constitution
  • Parliament
  • Prime Minister and the Executive
  • Relations between the Branches
  • Non-Core Political Idea - Nationalism

During Year 13, students will study the following unit:

Unit 3: Comparative Politics (Global)

In this unit, you will look at comparative theories from across the globe. You will make comparisons between British systems and systems from other countries, looking in particular at politics, human rights, economic development and the environment.

Component 3 - Comparative Politics (Global)

  • Comparative Theories
  • Global Governance - Political
  • State and Globalisation
  • Global Governance - Human Rights
  • Global Governance - Economic
  • Power and Developments
  • Global Governance - Environmental
  • Regionalism and the EU
  • Comparative Theories (review)

Exams:

Paper 1: UK Politics & Core Political Ideas

Paper 2: UK Government & Non-Core Political Ideas

Paper 3: Comparative Politics (Global)


How will I be assessed?

Component

Assessment Information

Marks

% of

A-Level

1

Written Examination - 2 hours

Section A-Political Participation:

? One 30-mark questions from a choice of 2 (each question us es a source)

? One 30-mark question from a choice of 2 (no source)

? All assessed on AO1, AO2 and AO3

Section B-Core political Ideas:

? One 24-mark question from a choice of two

? Assessed on AO1, AO2 and AO3

84

33%

2

Written Examination - 2 hours

Section A-UK Government:

? One 30-mark questions from a choice of 2 (each question us es a source)

? One 30-mark question from a choice of 2 (no source)

? All assessed on AO1, AO2 and AO3

Section B-Non-Core political Ideas:

? One 24-mark question from a choice of two

? Assessed on AO1, AO2 and AO3

84

33%

3

Written Examination-2 hours

Section A

? One 12-mark question from a choice of two

? Assessed on AO1 and AO2

Section B

? One compulsory 12-mark question focused on comparative theories

? Assessed on AO1 and AO2

Section C

? Two 30-mark questions from a choice of three

? Assessed on AO1, AO2 and AO3

84

33%

Important Documents

Questions or Queries?

Should you have any queries or comments please contact Miss Duncombe (Sixth Form Admissions Officer) by either:

Email: sixthformadmissions@sandwellacademy.com

Or by post:

Sixth Form Admissions Officer,
ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ,
Halfords Lane,
West Bromwich,
West Midlands,
B71 4LG.

Please ensure that the correct postage is paid for the size of envelope used.