Subject Intent: Why Politics?
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.
What will I study?
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.
- The Constitution.
- Parliament.
- The prime minister and the cabinet.
- Relations between the branches.
- Non-core political ideas: anarchism.
- The Constitution.
- The presidency.
- Congress.
- The Supreme Court.
- Comparative approaches- how do US/UK politics听compare?听
Politics
Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.
What are lessons like in this subject?
In Politics lessons, we learn how to form and structure a consistent argument in the form of essays.
Lessons are engaging and interactive, and students are expected to keep up to date with political news, both in the UK (United Kingdom) and in the USA.
What our
students
Politics will take you on a journey of knowledge of both the UK and US political systems. Teachers provide you with engaging lessons and related debates on a regular basis. If you have an interest in politics, then A-level Politics is definitely a great subject for you to choose.
Jakub Bartlomiej Zietek, Astrea Academy Woodfields
