At Ashbourne, our small group sizes mean that we have plenty of opportunity for discussion and debate. We begin by investigating the way we are governed in the UK and move on to look at major global issues which involve all of us such as the war on terror, the north-south divide, globalism, environmentalism and international human rights. The multi-cultural mix of Ashbourne means that discussions are lively and informative and students are exposed to many different points of view. We use a wide range of text and multi media sources to awaken and deepen student understanding and invest much time in helping students appreciate and meet the requirements of the examination
Why study Government and Politics?
Almost everything that we experience in the modern world is connected to Politics, from how much tax we pay to what kind of education we receive. Politics on a national and global scale will also affect our future security and quality of life. Government and Politics is an excellent subject choice for students with an interest in current affairs who want to understand and change the world around them
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow Edexcel specification for Government and Politics.
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS unit 1 is called ‘People and Politics’. There are four topics in unit 1: democracy, parties, elections and pressure groups. We study all four topics in a UK context. We begin by looking at democracy, what it means and how it is supposed to work. We investigate the principles behind representative democracy. We consider the issues of civil Liberties and rights, how rights might conflict with one another but also how they underpin democracy. We also have a survey of the UK constitution. It is very important that students understand and can explain key features such as: the FPTP electoral system; parliamentary government and the relationship between Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, if they are to make any sense of the course.
We then go on to the topic of parties. We study the background and policies the two main parties in depth and other parties in brief. The main questions to ask are; how far has each party departed from its roots and how similar are the two main parties? We begin to consider whether the two party system is under threat. This is where an awareness of current affairs and regular reading of a reputable broadsheet comes in. The next topic is elections. Students study the different electoral systems available; FPTP, the PR List system, STV, AV+ and AMS. We assess the impact of these systems, in the UK elections where they have been used. We also begin to consider the implications of the Jenkins Report and the case for electoral reform.
We then look at pressure groups. Students categorise the different types of pressure groups in the UK, then try to draw some conclusions as to why some are more successful than others.
Unit 2
AS unit 2 is called ‘Governing the UK’. There are four topics in unit 2: constitutions, judiciaries, Parliament and the Executive. We study all four topics in a UK context.
The first topic is constitutions. We review the principles behind the UK constitution, discuss the differences between codified and uncodified constitutions and address the strengths and weaknesses of the UK constitution. We also evaluate some of the proposals that have been made regarding constitutional reform. This leads neatly into the next topic; judiciaries. We investigate the role of judges in the political system, analyse ways in which their role has changed in recent years and start to draw some conclusions about the health of civil liberties in the UK and the ability of judges to protect our rights.
The final two topics are Parliament and the Executive. When studying Parliament we consider the composition and role of the House of Commons and the House of Lords in passing legislation. We start to assess how successfully Parliament is able to fulfil its functions.
Finally, we turn out attention to the Executive, asking the question ‘who runs Britain?’ We investigate the powers of the Prime Minister and evaluate the limitations on his power, we look at the role of Cabinet and the role of individual Ministers. We examine the relationship between the civil service and ministers. We start to consider whether UK Prime Ministers are becoming more presidential.
After the Easter break we embark upon a programme of revision and intensive examination practise. By this stages, students should be able to make links across the topics and should have a comprehensive and clear understanding of the way the UK political system works and its strengths and weaknesses.
Unit 3
Students will begin by exploring some of the key concepts in International Politics; they will learn to understand what is meant by terminology such as globalism, national state and sovereignty and will begin to investigate how the process of globalization is affecting the individuality and independence of nations. They will then go on to look at the relationships that nations have to one another and how those relationships have changed since 1989. Finally they will examine the role and significance of international organisations such as the UN, NATO and the EU.
Unit 4
This unit deals with key issues in recent global politics. Particular emphasis is placed on developments since 9/11, issues to do with poverty, development and the north-south divide and the global environmental crisis. Students will also revisit the issue of civil rights and explore how far rights are protected on a global scale by international law and humanitarian interventionA2 unit 3 is called ‘Representative Processes in the USA’. We study four topics: elections and voting, political parties, pressure groups and racial and ethnic politics.
How is each unit examined?
Unit 1
Students sit a one hour, twenty minute examination. They will answer two sets of questions, each on a different topic.
Unit 2
Students sit a one hour, twenty minute examination. They will answer two questions, each on a different topic. Each question will be based on a source but require own knowledge.
Unit 3
Students sit a one hour, 30 minute examination. They will answer three short questions and one essay question.
Unit 4
Students sit a one hour, 30 minute examination. They will answer three short questions and one essay question.
How is the course structured?
The AS course focuses on the mechanics of the political system and how it operates in the UK. We discuss current affairs, of course, but in the context of UK politics as a system. In the first term of AS we cover unit 1 and in the second term we cover unit 2. After the Easter break we embark upon a programme of revision and intensive examination practise. By this stage, students should be able to make links across the topics and should have a comprehensive and clear understanding of the way the UK political system works and its strengths and weaknesses.
The A2 course mirrors the AS course in many respects. As in AS, students will be expected to keep themselves up to date with current issues in politics, in particular US politics. In the first term we cover unit 3 and in the second term we cover unit 4. After the easter break , we embark upon a programme of revision and intensive examination practice..
When do the exams take place?
AS students sit their examinations in June. There will be opportunities to resit AS units in January of the A2 year. Students generally sit A2 examinations in June of the A2 year.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Dennis Fulcher (BSc Hons (Kingston) MA (London) PGCE (Greenwich) Media and Social Sciences (HoD), Psychology, Sociology, Film, Politics and Law)
Dennis is the College’s polymath and Head of Humanities. Originally a graduate in Sociology, Dennis has also completed a Masters in Government and Political Studies, a PGCE and a Diploma in Print Journalism. He is also a teamleader for Government and Politics examiners. Dennis is a lifelong film enthusiast.
Joanna Budden (BA (Leeds) History (HoD), Politics (HoD))
Joanna taught English abroad for some years before completing a PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan Universty. She is also an examiner for Edexcel. Joanna enjoys travel and the great outdoors.
Beyond A level for Government & Politics Students
Government and Politics is a highly regarded A Level which can lead to many degree courses including Politics, War and Peace Studies, International Relations, History, Economics and Law. It will not necessarily lead to a career in politics but could provide a good foundation for students who wish to pursue careers in journalism, the Civil Service, Development or Law, for example.
Any other information
Students of Government and Politics are expected to keep themselves up to date with current affairs. This means, at the least, reading a reputable broadsheet every day.
Textbooks
AS
Title - Essentials of UK Politics: AS level
Author - Andrew Heywood
Web link - www.amazon.co.uk/Essentials-UK-Politics-AS level/dp/0230201733/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275389210&sr=8-5
A2 Level
Other Resources
Reputable broadsheet newspapers are;
The Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk
The Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk
The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Other websites are
http://www.Politicsteacher.co.uk
http://www.bbc.co.uk
http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/
Further reading;
Title – AS and A Level Government and Politics through diagrams
Author – Paul Fairclough
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Government-Politics-Through-Diagrams-Revision/dp/0199134340/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276271063&sr=8-2
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