A Level - Government & Politics

Course Summary

Subject: Government & Politics

Course Title: A Level - Government & Politics

Course Types: Sixth Form

Course Level: A-Level

Course Description

Introduction and Course Description

The study of Government and Politics at A Level is designed to build upon an interest in how the processes of politics and government work and, in so doing, create a deeper understanding of the nature of political issues and exchange in the UK. The discipline is interesting, demanding and rewarding. Political ideas will be examined in depth to gain an understanding of the role of ideology in politics and a comparative study (US politics) will provide a fascinating insight into politics abroad.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is by 3 units which are examined at the end of Year 13, with weighting as follows:

Component 1: UK Politics (*Paper code: 9PL0/01)

• Written examination: 2 hours
• 33⅓ % of the qualification
• 84 marks

Content Overview

1. Political Participation Students will study: Democracy and Participation, Political Parties, Electoral Systems, Voting Behaviour and the Media.
2. Core Political Ideas Students will study: Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism

Assessment Overview

Section A: Political Participation

• One 30-mark question from a choice of two (each question is based on a quote) – students must complete one of these.
• Plus one 30-mark question from a choice of two – students must complete one of these.
• All questions assess AO1, AO2 and AO3. 

Section B: Core Political Ideas

• One 24-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1, AO2 and AO3.

Component 2: UK Government (*Paper code: 9PL0/02)

• Written examination: 2 hours
• 33⅓ % of the qualification
• 84 marks

Content Overview

1. UK Government - Students will study: The Constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and Executive, Relationships Between the Branches.
2. Optional Political Ideas - Students will study: One idea from the following: Anarchism, Ecologism, Feminism, Multi-Culturalism, Nationalism.

Assessment Overview

Section A: UK Government 

• One 30-mark questions from a choice of two (each question is based on a quote) – students must complete one of these.
• Plus one 30-mark question from a choice of two – students must complete one of these.
• All questions assess AO1, AO2 and AO3.

Section B: Optional Political Ideas

• One 24-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1, AO2 and AO3.

Component 3: Comparative Politics (*Paper code: 9PL0/3A or 3B)

• Written examination: 2 hours
• 33⅓ % of the qualification
• 84 marks
• Students study USA (9PL0/3A)

Content Overview

1. USA (3A) - Students will study: The US Constitution and Federalism, US Congress, US Presidency, US Supreme Court, Democracy and Participation, Civil Rights.

Assessment Overview for 3A

• Section A - One 12-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1 and AO2.
• Section B - One compulsory 12-mark question based on a source, which assesses AO1 and AO2.
• Section C - Two 30-mark questions from a choice of three, which assesses AO1, AO2 and AO3.

NB - An internal reference exam will be undertaken at the end of the first year of the course which will comprise of component 1 and 2.

Approach to lessons

Classwork and homework takes a variety of forms: essays, short questions, note making, discussions, student presentations, co-operative learning, independent study and regular use of relevant websites including BBC Politics, Democracy Live, Parliament UK and our very own twitter page @WGSBPolitics.

Students are also encouraged to keep up to date with their knowledge of current affairs and key events in contemporary British and international politics; to assist this process, all politics students are encouraged to participate in the weekly Politics Forum which contributes to the wider role of politics in the school by encouraging students to engage in political discussion and activity. Year 12 students will also have the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament and participate in a number of enrichment activities.

An active interest in current political issues and ideas is vital, as is an enthusiasm to contribute to both written and spoken elements of the course as well as its extra-curricular opportunities. A lively and enquiring mind, the capacity to be well organised and the motivation to achieve to the highest standards are all prerequisites of a successful Politics student.

Future Opportunities

Many students have gone on to study Politics and related disciplines at prestigious centres of higher education including Oxford and Cambridge. The study of Politics, and the transferable skill set it nurtures, is relevant to many career areas; the legal professions, civil service, tourism, local government, education, banking, retail, accountancy, commerce and journalism.

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