Politics

Starting from September 2009 we have offered AS Politics, as one of the four available AS subjects in the Lower Sixth. This will then follow through to the A2 course from September 2010.

We are excited by this development, as we consider the subject to be an excellent companion to many other Sixth Form subjects, as well as being a valuable subject in its own right. There will be extra-curricular activities associated with the subject.

The GCE is based around a study of recent political events in Britain and the USA, and is an excellent choice for those with a genuine, and at times critical, interest in current affairs. As an A level, Politics helps develop analytical and evaluation skills and is first class training for those wishing to pursue careers in business, law and management, as well as any budding 'David Camerons'.

There are two papers in the AS course.
'Contemporary Politics of the UK' covers recent elections, how they were won and lost; how the main political parties operate; patterns of voting behaviour - age, regional, etc; different electoral systems.
'Contemporary Government of the UK' covers the role of key players in the constitution (Prime Minister, Cabinet, Parliament, Judges, etc); the relationship with the EU; any proposed constitutional reforms.

There are two papers in the A2 course, based on either
'Politics and Government in the USA' - which covers recent elections, systems of voting; campaign and voting behaviour; structure of the main political parties; constitution, including Congress and the President; the Supreme Court, Civil Rights, etc.
OR
'Political Ideas and Concepts' - which covers the nature of democratic systems, the role of state and the exercise of power; individual rights and interpretation of the law; development of different political values, eg conservatism, nationalism, socialism, and Marxism.