Politics
faqs
What subjects does Politics ‘go well’ with?
Politics is a debate and essay based subject. This means that the skills you use will be similar to those used in subjects such as History, Law, and Sociology. In terms of the content covered, we share substantial content with History A Level with both subjects having a large focus on the USA. In addition, two units in Politics cross over with Law. There is also some crossover with Sociology when we look at ideologies in Year 13.Other subjects that students have found make a good match with studying Politics, include Business, Economics and English.
How am I going to be assessed?
Politics is 100% exam based. These three exams are two hours long and cover our key areas of study: British Politics, American Politics, and Political Ideologies. This means that there is no coursework.
What are Politics lessons like?
If you speak to any of our current students, they’ll tell you that Politics lessons are heavily debate driven, with regular focus being given to the issues of the day. There are also elements of political theory, interlaced with historical and contemporary examples. To get the most out of your Politics A Level it is vital that you contribute to our in lesson debates, and have a solid grasp of how to write analytically.
Context:
Politics is a well-respected subject across the business and academic world. The skills developed throughout the course will prove invaluable throughout your life. Politics teaches you to think critically, formulate coherent arguments, develop your own opinions and understand the way in which our world is governed. Politics compliments a variety of subjects across the curriculum such as English, History, Social Sciences, Geography and Law. An A Level in Politics is a desirable component of any successful university application.
Exam Board:
AQA
Assessment:
A Level
Paper 1 – The government and politics of the UK (33%)
Paper 2 – The government and politics of the USA & Comparative politic (33%)
Paper 3 – Political ideas (33%)
Course Details:
- British
- Participation and Voting Behaviour
- Electoral Systems
- Political Parties
- Pressure Groups and Protest Movements
- The British Constitution
- Parliament
- The Core Executive
- Multi-level Governance
‘I must study politics and war so that my sons might have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.’ - John Adams
American
- The Electoral Process and Direct Democracy
- Political Parties
- Voting Behaviour
- Pressure Groups
Ideology
- Socialism
- Conservatism
- Liberalism
- Other ideologies, such as Nationalism and Anarchism
Other Learning Opportunities:
- Supporting KS3/4 students in History lessons
- KS5 Trip to Parliament and interview with local MP
- KS5 Joint trip with History to America and English Historical sites
- Debating society
Where next with this course?
A Level Politics is a desirable qualification for a number of university courses and professions. The skills developed and enhanced throughout the subject result in job opportunities from a variety of areas both in the public sector and the world of academia. Key opportunities include Journalism, Law, Finance, Marketing, Business, Politics, PR, and Medicine and of course any career directly related to Politics.
Employers and universities alike find Politics A Level develops students as highly developed problem solvers and critical thinkers and value these skills above all.
For further details on this subject, please fill in Course Enquiry form