Government and Politics – AS & A Level

Edexcel

Description of the Specification

“I think most people who have dealt with me think I am a pretty straight sort of guy.” – Tony Blair, 1997

Politics is not just about middle-aged men in grey suits.  It is about the way key decisions affecting our lives are made.  The first year focuses on British society, investigating the current political scene and the ideological and practical underpinning of British political life. Students study conservatism, liberalism and socialism.  Key questions examined include: are British rights properly protected? What does David Cameron stand for?  How will the Liberal Democrats maintain their own identity in a coalition?  Should the House of Lords be shut down? Why are young people not voting?  How will history remember Tony Blair?

“People say that in the USA workers earn more than in the USSR. I say that in the USA, they kill blacks.” – Member of the Soviet Politburo, 1960.

The second year focuses on the different political system of the United States which promotes itself as the most democratic state of them all, has a powerful economy, but suffers from severe inequality. Key questions explored include: Why do Americans insist on the right of every American to own a hand gun despite the high murder rate? Why do anti-abortionists, in their attempts to protect the sanctity of life, kill doctors who perform abortions? Why did so many unemployed Americans re-elect George W Bush? Can the man who runs a pizza company really become the leader of the free world? Why are US Presidents routinely jealous of UK Prime Ministers’ power? Will the Nobel Prize Committee regret giving President Obama the Peace Prize?

Type and Nature of the Work Involved

Students should be able to:

• Produce logical written and verbal arguments
• Have the ability to analyse, understand and judge opposing political viewpoints
• Gather and assess evidence from a variety of sources, including evidence produced by the media, pressure groups, political parties and political thinkers

In order to help students to gain a deeper understanding of the American political system, the Department organises a non-compulsory trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Method of Assessment

AS

Unit 1 - People and Politics in the UK

1 hour 20 minute examination / 25% of total A level mark

Unit 2 - Governing the UK

1 hour 20 minute examination / 25% of total A level mark

A2

Unit 3C - Representative Processes in the USA

1½ hour examination / 25% of total A level mark

Unit 4C - Governing the USA

1½ hour examination / 25% of total A level mark

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Sixth Form Subjects