A Level Politics

Exam Board

 OCR

Entry Requirements

 Grade 5 or above in English and an interest in Politics

What will I study?

UK Government and Politics
• UK Government – Constitution; Devolution; Parliament; Judiciary; Prime Minister and Cabinet.
• UK Politics – Democracy and participation; Elections and referendums; Political parties; Pressure groups; The EU’s impact on Britain.

US Politics and Comparative Politics
• Government and Politics of USA – Constitution; President; Congress; The US Supreme Court; Elections and democracy; Political parties; Pressure groups; Civil rights.
• Comparative politics comparing US systems and processes with the UK. This includes looking at comparative political theories.

Political Ideologies
• Conservatism including the works of Thomas Hobbes; Michael Oakeshott and Robert Nozick
• Liberalism including the works of John Locke; John Rawls and Betty Friedan.
• Socialism including the works of Karl Marx; Beatrice Webb and Anthony Giddens.
• Nationalism including the works of Jean Jacques Rousseau; Giuseppe Mazzini and Charles Maurras.

Assessment

 Paper 1: UK Government and Politics – 2hrs
Paper 2: US Government and Politics and Comparative Politics – 2hrs
Paper 3: Political Ideologies – 2hrs

What skills will I gain?

You will develop strong analytical skills and the ability to carefully consider opposing opinions when reaching balanced conclusions. You will be able to construct balanced, reasoned arguments and weigh-up various factors involved.
Studying Beyond the Classroom Students will have the opportunity to spend the day in London visiting the Supreme Court, the Houses of Parliament, and Downing Street during the 2-year course.
There will also be the opportunity for students to meet their local MP.

Future Pathways

The A level Government and Politics course is an ideal complement to those who also wish to study History, Philosophy and Ethics (RE), Sociology, Economics and Psychology at A level.
This A level gives an excellent foundation to those who wish to pursue Politics, Law, Economics, Philosophy or History to degree level and those who wish to make their careers in the legal, journalistic, political or business worlds.