A Level Politics
Sandbach College
Why study this course?
Lively, relevant, controversial… there are many ways to describe A-level Politics. There’s no denying that it’s one of the most interesting and engaging qualifications you can choose.
Covering news and current affairs from the UK and US, it helps you understand how the UK country is run and develops research, written communication and debate skills. It also helps grow your confidence.
It’s ideal if you’re considering studying politics, sociology, ethics, advertising or journalism at university and is highly regarded by employers in industries including politics, international organisations, the media, government and the civil service.
A specification designed for you and your students
Topics are clearly and logically structured and include:
- the three traditional ideologies of Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism
- one of either: feminism, nationalism, multiculturalism, ecologism or anarchism.
Clear, well-structured exams, accessible for all
To enable your students to show their breadth of knowledge and understanding, we’ve created a simple and straightforward structure and layout for our papers, using a mixture of question styles. There will be no coursework.
What will I learn on this course?
The Politics department supports the ethos of the school to develop each pupil’s academic, intellectual and social potential to the full and promote the idea that every pupil, irrespective of ability, is equally important and is held in the same regard.
The main aims of studying Politics at Sandbach High School are that students:
- Are aware of current events in the UK and USA political arenas within a global context
- Make synoptic links between all 3 components: Government and Politics of the UK, USA and Political Ideologies
- Are aware of the history, structure and functions of British and American Governments and their effect on today’s political climate
- Develop their analytical skills to ensure that they are inquisitive and understand how Government and Politics can shape their future
Curriculum Leader
Curriculum Leader Humanities Faculty: Ms C Wildman cwildman@sandbachhigh.co.uk
Key Stage 5
There are three broad areas of study in this specification:
- the government and politics of the UK
- the government and politics of the USA, and comparative politics
- political ideas.
The specification requires in depth study of UK and US government and politics. Comparisons across the two political systems are required in the topic entitled Comparative politics . Students will be required to identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences between aspects of politics. This will ensure that students develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, political institutions and political processes.
The political ideas to be studied have relevance to both of the systems of government and politics. The study of the four ideologies will enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding of politics, political debate and political issues in both the UK and the USA.
Skills
In all components of this subject students must demonstrate the following skills:
- to comprehend and interpret political information
- to critically analyse and evaluate the areas of politics studied
- to construct arguments and explanations leading to reasoned conclusions
- to identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences between aspects of the areas of politics studied
- to construct and communicate arguments and explanations with relevance, clarity and coherence
- to use appropriate political vocabulary
- to make connections between the different areas of politics studied
- to make comparisons across two political systems.
Synopticity
An essential element of the assessment of students’ work in A-level politics is the extent to which they display a synoptic or holistic understanding of the subject. To demonstrate this students will be expected to inter-relate areas of content within each module and, when appropriate, across modules, to address the requirements of the exam papers. They must use appropriate concepts and knowledge as well as the skills listed above in developing their answers.
Politics, as a subject, is inherently synoptic. The political knowledge, concepts, behaviours and institutions studied in any particular module can often be used and applied to new contexts in other parts of the course. The essay questions are particularly synoptic, giving students the opportunity to draw on and synthesise the knowledge, understanding and skills gained throughout the course.
For specific topic lists for the above components please visit:
UK
USA
Political ideas
Examinations & Coursework
Paper 1
What's assessed:
Government and politics of the UK
How it's assessed
Written exam: 2 hours
77 marks
33⅓ % of A-level
Questions
A mixture of medium length ‘explain’ and essay style questions.
Paper 2
What's assessed
The government and politics of the USA and Comparative politics
How it's assessed
Written exam: 2 hours
77 marks
33⅓ % of A-level
Questions
A mixture of medium length ‘explain’ and essay style questions.
Paper 3
What's assessed:
Political ideas
How it's assessed
Written exam: 2 hours
77 marks
33⅓ % of A-level
Questions
A mixture of medium length ‘explain’ and essay style questions.
Potential career paths
As a traditional Humanities subject, Politics is an excellent qualification for any career such as Law, Journalism, Social Work, Government and the Civil Service and Teaching. It also provides an excellent training for management posts or for any position which involves evaluation of evidence and informed decision-making. A Politics graduate will be able to pursue a huge range of professional careers as it is a well-respected, challenging subject.
Enrichment opportunities
The department offer a range of enrichment opportunities, including:
- Meeting local politicians
- Attending local hustings during election cycles
- Arranging their own projects, such as school-wide mock elections
- Politics club – a weekly lunchtime club run by the sixth form students to engage younger students in politics.
- Cross-curricular trips are regularly on offer that include politics students
Entry Requirements
Sandbach College at Sandbach High School Entry Requirements
4 GCSEs at grade 4 (or Level 2 Pass) or higher, including grade 4 in English Language or Literature and the following subject specific entry requirements:
- Grade 5 in History OR Grade 5 in English Language or Literature