COURSE OVERVIEW

TEACHERS IN CHARGE: MR B CRANE AND MR P ATKINSON

Course Content

The AS Course

This is a one year course, leading, if required, to a full A2 qualification, but which stands alone as a qualification.  Content is as follows:

Unit 1 People and Politics

Unit 2 Governing the UK

Unit 3 The Changing UK System

The A2 Course

Completes the AS course.  Content is as follows (one of the routes A, B, C or D):

Route A Key Political Issues

Route B* Political Ideologies

Route C   Politics in the USA

Route D International Politics

*currently the department follows Route B

 

The Examination Board is EdExcel and a copy of the specification is available to any interested student.

Assessment

AS – 50%

	Method	Weighting	Length
Unit 1	Written exam	16.67%	1 hour
Unit 2	Written exam	16.67%	1 hour
Unit 3	Written exam	16.67%	1 hour

AS total examining time : 3 hours

N.B.  These 3 examinations will be timetabled in a single 3 hour session

A2 – 50% (using routes A, B, C or D

	Method	Weighting	Length
Unit 4	Written exam	15%	1¼ hours
Unit 5	Written exam	15%	1¼ hours
Unit 6	Written exam (synoptic)	20%	1½ hours

A2 total examining time : 4 hours

Total Advanced GCE Examining time: 7 hours

Higher Education and Careers

Government and Politics is of great value because it trains minds to think logically about decision-making in the modern world.  It is of particular value to those considering most professional careers (especially law, journalism, broadcasting and television and the civil service).  Some students may even have political aspirations, at a local or national level.

Entry Requirements

This is a new subject to AS/A2 level and is not currently taught at GCSE level.  Therefore, the general entry requirements for Sixth Form entry at this level apply, including a minimum of GCSE grade C for English Language.