Board: EDEXCEL
Syllabus: AS Level (8GP01), A Level (9GP01)
About the subject
In studying Government and Politics, we ask many questions about Britain and the world. How will the new coalition government between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats work? How much will the Liberal Democrats be able to influence government policy? Just how much power does the Prime Minister have, or are you worried that European laws designed in Brussels may override those passed by our Parliament at Westminster? Does the rise of the BNP worry you or do you think they are just a fringe party that will never affect anything? Will the conflict in Afghanistan ever settle down? How important is the environment in Politics now and how can we adjust to a more multi-cultural country? Collyer’s Politics classes have lively debates and discussions about a huge range of issues that are important, both for your own intellectual development and for understanding the way our country and others are run.
The first year of the course focuses on the British system of government – how democracy works in our country. We move on to look in the second year at political ideologies and philosophies from conservatism to communism and feminism to nationalism from all over the world. After taking politics at Collyer’s you’ll know how politics really works, what the political parties are really about, and the reality behind the headlines. You’ll have explored the activities of charismatic individuals such as David Cameron, Barack Obama, Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher, Germaine Greer, Karl Marx and even Scar out of The Lion King. As well as the main ideologies of conservatism, liberalism and socialism you’ll understand why Marxism dominated half the world in the twentieth century, but seems to have few believers in the twenty-first.
Learning styles
The course is assessed by examination throughout – there is no coursework. You will be reading articles, using the web and reading the newspapers to create and maintain your own political diaries. We use videos, discussions, research, presentations and various other learning styles. Politics lessons always involve lively debates that help keep you well informed. You’ll even have a chance to take part in parliamentary style debates (sometimes actually in the House of Commons). We have a large range of activities outside the classroom on visits, including residential visits to the most important political centres of the world, such as Beijing and Washington.
Subject Combinations and Progression
Politics can be studied in conjunction with more or less any subject, though obviously there are considerable overlaps with History and Law. Previous Collyer’s Politics students can be found working around the globe, particularly in business, law, the media (where knowledge of this area is now vital) and, of course, in politics.
Subject Modules and Assessment
AS Level:
Module 1 People & Politics (democracy, elections, political parties & pressure groups)
Written exam. (Assessment: 50% AS. 25% A2 )
Module 2 Governing the UK (the constitution, parliament, government & legal system )
Written exam. (Assessment: 50% AS. 25% A2)
A2 Level:
Module 3 Political Ideologies (conservatism, liberalism, socialism & anarchism)
Written exam. (Assessment 25% A2)
Module 4 Other Ideologies (feminism, nationalism, multi-culturalism & ecologism)
Written exam. (Assessment 25% A2)
Entry requirements
GCSE English Language grade C