Easter Revision Courseguide

A Level Government and Politics

Aims           

For each student to cover the compulsory British papers and one optional route chosen by the student from Issues in Modern British Politics; Ideologies and Doctrines; International Relations and  Comparative Government.

To teach and test knowledge, concepts, application, evaluation and interpretation.  These are all core skills the examiners in any board are looking to reward.

To apply previously learnt and newly acquired information and skills to past examination questions.

To support and improve students’ study skills, revision technique and examination strategy and performance.

Course Design           

The course is designed for the Edexcel syllabus but contains topics common to the core syllabus of other boards.

The course emphasises the following: key facts and concepts; key institutions and their constitutional role and function

Daily Programme           

Each morning (except the first) consists of a review and test of the previous day’s work. This is followed by a general synopsis of the objectives of the day ahead, a summary of the key facts and concepts, reference to past examination questions and focus on techniques for revising the subject material in a focused, disciplined and effective manner.

The afternoon session deals with past examination papers in detail and reference to the examiner’s reports.

Students will receive a modest amount of homework and a reading assignment for the following morning’s test. Students will be given a formal examination to conclude the week’s programme and will be given assistance in drawing up a detailed, realistic and effective revision schedule. Their test will be marked immediately and discussed individually. A report will be written.

Schedule of Work

AS Level

Parliament:

General and Conceptual, Constitutional Role and Functions, Scrutiny of the Executive & the role of MPs.  Reform for Unit three. 

Prime Minister and Cabinet:

The role of Prime Minister & the role of the Cabinet and the functioning of the central executive.

Electoral Systems, the Party System and Referenda:

The current electoral and Party System, Pressures for reform, The Jenkins Commission and Report (Unit Three). 

Political Parties:

Definitions; Functions and Role; Current Ideologies and Policies.

Constitutions:

Form, Classification and Typology.  Advantages & Disadvantages.  Labour’s programme of constitutional Reform.

The Politics of the European Union
Devolution
Electoral Reform
Parliamentary Reform

A2 Level

Introduction to Options and Past Papers at A2

OPTIONS INCLUDE:

Issues in British Politics
Political Ideologies
Comparative Government
International Politics

Students will be able to select any specific options they wish to have covered and obtain guidance as to how to prepare for these options.