Page 42 - Sixth Form prospectus 2020

COURSE
POLITICS
TITLE

SPECIFIC ENTRY General entry requirement for advanced level applies to this

REQUIREMENTS subject. You do not need to have studied history to GCSE.
You must be prepared to read, research and debate. An awareness of current
political issues in GB and the world via internet, television, newspapers and
radio is essential.
Unit 1: government & politics of the United Kingdom
● Why is political apathy a major issue?
● Is the British voting system fair?
● What factors influence our voting behaviour?
● Are pressure groups more important than political parties?
● Does Britain need a written constitution?
● Has Britain become “an elected dictatorship?”
● Does power lie at Westminster, the EU or local level?
CONTENT OF Unit 2: government & politics of the USA
● What are the main characteristics of presidential and congressional
COURSE elections?

● What are the differing ideologies, values, policies and traditions of the
main political parties - Democrats and Republicans?
● What is the significance of the nature and changes of the US Constitution?
● To what extent does the President exert dominance within the US
government?
● What are the key similarities and differences between the democracies of
the UK and USA?
Unit 3: political ideas & ideology
Four political ideologies are studied: conservatism, liberalism, socialism and
nationalism involving key thinkers, views on human nature and core
principles.
Three written examinations at the end of Year 13, each lasting two hours. All
EXAMINATIONS
papers are worth 33.3% of the final marks. The examinations will consist of
AND ASSESSMENTS
structured stimulus / data response questions.

This politics course links well with history, English, geography, business,
French, German and religious studies. One of the purposes of the course is to
BROADEN your experience, and so it would also be appropriate to be taken in
SKILLS, LINKS conjunction with science subjects.
AND Choosing politics at this stage need have few specific career
implications. However, its analytical skills, including presenting ideas
PROGRESSION cogently, are crucial to most areas of work including journalism, law and the

humanities. The ability to make a reasoned choice when voting in politics or
becoming involved in single issue politics improves an individual’s
understanding of how, and where, decisions affecting our lives are reached.

Head of Politics: Mr K Reed
CONTACT
kenreed@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk