Clifton College Website

Politics

Head of Politics
Mr Peter Lidington
Teachers
Mr Richard Hooper

The aim is to stimulate interest and understanding in the way Britain and other nations are governed. The focus is on contemporary issues and developments and pupils are encouraged to share their ideas, beliefs and experiences as well as to challenge and debate alternative views.

A range of activities is used to encourage learning, including individual research, the internet, discussions and debates and local and national media resources.

Edexcel’s new 4 unit course in Government and Politics has been designed to encourage an active interest in the study of politics and a broader understanding of the modern world.

AS Course outline

Edexcel Board – no coursework. Assessment is by 2 written examinations, each 1 hour and 20 minutes long.

Read about the
Sixth Form Mock
Elections which
were held in time
for the UK
General Elections

Unit 1: People and Politics

This unit introduces pupils to the key channels of communication between government and the people. It encourages them to evaluate the current situation regarding representative democracy and political participation. It includes the study of Democracy and Political Participation, Party Policies and Ideas, Elections and Pressure Groups.

Unit 2: Governing the UK

This unit introduces pupils to the major governmental processes within the UK. It encourages a critical understanding of the role and effectiveness of key institutions. This includes the topics of the Constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and Cabinet and Judges and Civil Liberties.

A2 Course outline

No coursework. Assessment is by 2 written examinations, each 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

Unit 3: Representative Processes in the USA

This unit introduces pupils to key themes in political analysis. Students study the representative Processes in the USA, including Elections and Voting, Political Parties, Pressure Groups and Racial and Ethnic Politics.

Unit 4: Governing the USA

This unit extends understanding of key themes in political analysis. Topics studied include the Constitution, Congress, the Presidency and the Supreme Court.

This 2 year AS/A2 course provides the exciting opportunity to learn about both the British political and government systems and those of another country whose political culture is somewhat different. The opportunity to draw comparisons and contrasts is an important part of the course.

Government and Politics can be a very good choice of subject for anyone thinking of pursuing a career in journalism, the law, the Civil Service, teaching among many others. It can provide an excellent understanding of the political context in which the pupils live as well as a broader understanding of the world in which they live.

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