GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Teacher in Charge: Mr N Calvocoressi

A-level Government and Politics (Edexcel Examinations Board)

There is no need to have studied Government and Politics at GCSE to take an AS course in the subject. It is much more important to have a lively and enquiring mind, an interest in politics and current affairs, a desire to explore new ideas, and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively.

AS-level:

This is the first half of the Advanced GCE qualification. You can take the AS on its own and decide at the end of the AS course whether or not to continue to Advanced Level by studying International Politics in A2. The AS consists of three units of assessment based on the following content:

 

AS Level

A2 Level This follows route D, which is an International Politics Course

Unit 1  People and Politics, includes topics such as the importance of political participation and the role of political parties.

Unit 3D   Structures of Global Politics, which examines key global structures and systems, such as the UN, and World Bank, and issues such as sovereignty.

Unit 2  Governing the UK includes topics such as the nature of the UK constitution, and the role and significance of Parliament.

Unit 4D Global Political Issues, which examines key issues in recent international politics, and the nature of conflicts, terrorism, poverty, the environment and human rights.

 

Unit 1:

People and Politics - this unit introduces students to the study of politics by looking at the central ideas of citizenship, democracy and participation

Unit 2:

Governing the UK - this unit provides an introduction to the major institutions of UK government, examines their relationships with one another and considers their effectiveness

Unit 3:

The Changing UK System - this unit examines key issues affecting the development of the UK system and considers the impact and desirability of political and constitutional change

A2

Students who decide to take the Advanced GCE will study International Politics. We will examine the developments in international relations since 1945 and consider the nature of international conflict and conflict resolution, before finally looking at the impact upon the UK of developments at the international level.

Students with AS- or A-level Government and Politics have a wide range of possible career and higher education opportunities. You learn and use a wide variety of transferable skills throughout the course. These include collecting and analysing information and eveluating different political ideas and systems. Your written communication skills will develop greatly, as will your ability to question information given to you. These skills are in demand.

Government and Politics combines well with a range of science, social science and humanities subjects to lead to university courses in such areas as business, economics, law, media, philosophy and, of course, politics.

St George's School, Wells Lane, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7DZ  Telephone: 01344 629900
E-mail: office@stgeorges-ascot.org.uk