A-Level Politics

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A level Politics enables students to question the structures and systems that shape their lives on a daily basis. The intent of the course encourages student to think critically and form developed arguments grounded in their own knowledge and experience. Politics allows students to gain a deeper understanding of their own country not just as it is today but how it has been shaped by past events, as well as covering aspects of economics, sociology and philosophy. The course also has strong links to contemporary issues that young people preparing for life outside of the school environment should be aware of such as human and civil rights, individual liberty and the value of a society that values democracy and free expression. Students will also encounter viewpoints both from course content but also their peers that do not align with their own, and will develop the skills to engage with arguments and individuals whose ideas differ from their own in a mature and professional way.

Component 1: UK Politics Democracy and political participation UK political parties Electoral systems Voting behaviour and the media Core political ideas: conservatism, liberalism and socialism Component 2: UK Government The Constitution Parliament The prime minister and the cabinet Relations between the branches Non-core political ideas: anarchism Component 3: Comparative Politics: the USA The constitution The presidency Congress The Supreme Court Comparative approaches- how do US/UK politics compare?

In Politics we debate political issues with class discussions and analyse sources, texts, podcasts and media to delve deeper into� hot topics�. We welcome guest speaks to engage students with current political policy.