Politics A Level (See Option Blocks on our website)

Politics - A Student Guide

This course is particularly suitable for students who want to study Economics, History, Sociology and English. It may also appeal to students who wish to study Government and Politics, History or Law at a higher level.

What type of student enjoys this course?

A-level Politics is a good choice for students considering a career in many professions, or those who simply want to understand how the UK's government works. Politics goes well with Economics, History, Sociology and English. Politics does not just appeal to Social Science students, however: increasingly Science, Maths, Art and Drama students have enrolled to study Politics, giving them a broader perspective on the world. However, Politics is a valuable qualification for all students. Young people moving into professional roles need a sound understanding of how our society operates and how they can be empowered within it.

Politics provides you with the chance to study a new subject at Advanced Level. It is a fast moving subject, where history in the making is studied on a day to day basis. Students monitor political events on a daily basis and use them to explore and understand political language, concepts and systems.

Full details of the assessment and syllabus content

http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/politics/specifications/AQA-7152-SP-2017.PDF

Subject Core Content

Paper 1 Government and politics of the UK

• The nature and sources of the British Constitution

• The structure and role of Parliament

• The Prime Minister and Cabinet

• The Judiciary

• The politics of the UK

• Elections and referendums

• Political parties

• The European Union

Paper 2 The Government and politics of the USA and Comparative politics

• The constitutional framework of US government

• The legislative branch of government

• The executive branch of government

• The judicial branch of government

• The electoral process and direct democracy

• Political parties

• Pressure groups

• Civil rights

• Comparative politics of the UK and USA

Paper 3 Political ideas

Students will study four ideologies.

• Liberalism

• Conservatism

• Socialism

• Feminism

Paper 1- Government and politics of the UK

How it's assessed:

• Written exam: 2 hours
• 77 marks
• 33? % of A-level Questions A mixture of medium length 'explain' and essay style questions.

Paper 2- The Government and politics of the USA and Comparative Politics

How it's assessed:

• Written exam: 2 hours
• 77 marks
• 33? % of A-level Questions A mixture of medium length 'explain' and essay style questions.

Paper 3
What's assessed - Political ideas

How it's assessed:

• Written exam: 2 hours
• 77 marks
• 33? % of A-level Questions A mixture of medium length 'explain' and essay style questions.

• Minimum entry requirement

• An interest in current events

• No prior politics knowledge/qualification needed to start the course