Politics

The A level Politics course introduces concepts of citizenship and participation by looking at elections, political parties and pressure groups. It also examines the major institutions of British Government and how they operate. In addition the course examines the nature of the dominant political ideologies in Britain and the United states including concepts such as liberty and equality. Pupils also study the operation of the American Political system.

The study of Politics teaches pupils to consider different views and develop independent thought. It also improves skills of investigation and research. Pupils need to have an enquiring mind and an interest in current affairs. Those who study Politics will be expected to keep up with developments in British and American Politics; they will also study the ideas of key Political thinkers such as John Stuart Mill, Betty Friedan, Edmund Burke and Karl Marx. Politics will give pupils an understanding of how power and the government works, as well as the underlying philosophy of the main political parties in the UK and USA. Lessons will involve pupils in communicating arguments and explanations in a coherent manner both orally and in writing. Pupils with A Level Politics have access to a wide range of career and higher education opportunities. Politics should be considered as a choice because of its relevance to the modern world, and can lead to university courses in such areas as business, economics, law, media and, of course, politics.

Pupils will develop an understanding of how our country works, how decisions are made and of the behaviour of people in relation to elections, ideas and power. They will begin to examine philosophical ideologies including Socialism, Conservatism and Liberalism, and will develop skills of research, written analysis and debate. Pupils will have an opportunity to examine how democracy works in the most powerful country on Earth, the United States of America.