Politics

Head of Department

Mr C Meikle, BA (Hons) PGCE

Statement of Intent

Politics at DHSG will allow students to leave the sixth form with an enriched understanding of their national and global society and the structure and methods of political systems that underpin them. They will also develop an awareness of the differences between key political ideologies, considering their historical context and current attraction within 21st century life.

The curriculum design will ensure students are confident in the governmental institutions in both the UK and USA, before exploring the fluid politics that applies to them. Regular case study analysis will allow students to spot clear historical change and continuity alongside contemporary similarities and differences between systems.

They will also be provided with opportunities to experience politics in a real-world setting. The key skills our students develop will include a high level of literacy and critical thinking, the ability to research and interpret data, communication skills such as debating and presenting reasoned arguments.

A Level Course Outline

The course is designed to offer students the opportunity to explore British politics in depth, with the USA module being used as a lens through which students can compare to the UK system.

Within their studies on British and American politics, students will explore the Constitutions as well as the roles of elected bodies, leaders and judiciaries. British politics will then consider the role of devolution, whilst American studies will consider the challenges of a federal system. Students will subsequently explore political patterns in democratic participation, as well as undertake investigation of the differing political parties and pressure groups.

Students will also explore the ideologies of liberalism, conservatism, socialism and nationalism. Within each ideology, students will explore the ideology’s view on society, individuals, the role of the state and economics, as well as any factional differences within the supporters of the ideologies.

AS Level Course Outline

The AS course only requires students to explore the British paper. It should be noted that students wishing to sit the AS course would only be able to access content on UK Government in class and would need to investigate UK Politics independently.

Higher Education and Career Opportunities

Politics provides an excellent foundation for a wide range of university degrees other than Politics, such as History, Economics, English, International Relations, Law, and Sociology. It is particularly valuable for students interested in pursuing careers in law, journalism, public administration, diplomacy, civil service, political consultancy, or non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The critical thinking, research, and communication skills you gain through this course are highly sought after by employers across many sectors, making politics a versatile and rewarding choice for your academic and professional future.

Course Content

Examination Board	AQA	Full details of the specification and assessment criteria can be found on the AQA website Politics A Level - 7152
A Level	Paper 1	Government and Politics of the UK (33⅓ %)
	Paper 2	Government and Politics of the USA and comparative politics (33⅓ %)
	Paper 3	Political ideas (33⅓ %)
AS Level	Paper 1	Government and Politics of the UK (100%)

Curriculum Programmes of Study

Year	Cycle	Content
Year 12	Cycle 1	Paper 1: UK Constitution: Nature and sources comprising the uncodified constitution Issues and debates about constitutional change including debates about extent of rights in the UK Impact of post1997 changes to decentralisation of power, elections, parliament, judiciary and participation. Role of Parliament: Roles and influence of MPs and peers Parliamentary debate and the legislative process Different theories of representation Scrutiny of the executive and how effective scrutiny of the executive is in practice Work of committees Role of the opposition Extent of Parliament’s influence on government decisions Prime Minister and Cabinet: How policy is made Relationship between Prime Minister and cabinet Paper 2: US Constitution: Nature and significance of US Constitution Significance of the constitutional principles of federalism, checks and balances, and separation of powers Framework of government Federal v. state relations Amendment process Debates concerning the importance of the US Constitution to the working of contemporary US government Protection of civil liberties and rights under the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Supreme Court rulings US Judiciary – Supreme Court: Process of selection and appointment of Supreme Court judges Current composition of Supreme Court Significance of judicial review Nature of judicial power and constitutional role of Supreme Court as guardian of Constitution and protector of citizens’ rights Debates about political significance of Supreme Court Landmark rulings and related debates and controversies US Legislative – Congress: Structure, roles and powers of US Congress Composition of Congress, different terms of office and part allegiance
	Cycle 2	Paper 1: Prime Minister and Cabinet: Relationship between Prime Minister and cabinet The difference between individual and collective ministerial responsibility Power of the Prime Minister and cabinet Devolution: Roles, powers and responsibilities of the different devolved bodies in the UK Existing devolution and impact Debates surrounding devolution European Union: EU institutions Aims of the EU and the extent to which they have been achieved Impact of the EU on UK politics and policy making Paper 2: US Legislative – Congress: Debates concerning the importance of the US Constitution to the working of contemporary US government Protection of civil liberties and rights under the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Supreme Court rulings Representative role of senators and representatives Relative strengths of House of Representatives and Senate Relationship of Congress to the executive branch of government and the Supreme Court US Executive – President: Sources of presidential power Difference between formal and informal powers Constraints on President’s ability to exercise their powers Relationship between the President and Vice President, cabinet, Executive Office of the President, federal bureaucracy and federal agencies Evidence of waxing and waning power Debate on ‘Imperial v. Imperilled’ Presidency
	Cycle 3	Paper 3: Liberalism and Socialism to be studied separately. Within each case study, students explore: Origins of ideology and views on human nature Key thinkers Views on the economy and the state Key strands Paper 3: Conservatism and Nationalism to be studied separately. Within each case study, students explore: Origins of ideology and views on human nature Key thinkers Views on the economy and the state Key strands
Year 13	Cycle 1	Paper 1: UK Judiciary: Composition of the judiciary and appointment process Role of the Supreme Court Importance of ultra vires, judicial review and the Supreme Court’s interactions with and influence over the legislative and policy making processes. Democracy and Participation: Nature of democracy Different types of democracy, including direct democracy and representative government Patterns of participation and different forms of participation Elections and Referendums: Electoral systems and the party system Voting behaviour Impact on the outcome of elections of media/policy/manifestos/campaigns/leadership Results of referendums Why did the UK vote for Brexit? Paper 2: Electoral Process and Direct Democracy: Electoral systems Main characteristics of presidential and congressional elections and campaigns Candidate selections and nominations Debates concerning the workings, outcome and impact of the electoral college system on campaigns Factors determining electoral outcomes Debates about campaign finance Direct democracy at state level: referenda, initiatives, propositions, recall elections and debates concerning their use Voting behaviour and the main variables affecting the way people vote in the USA Links between parties and their core voting coalitions Recent factors in voting behaviour Splitticket voting and high levels of abstention in US elections Political Parties: The ideologies, values, policies, traditions and party organisation of the Republican and Democrat parties Ideological change in two main parties Factionalism and internal division within parties Debates concerning party decline and renewal Two-party dominance Significance of 3^rd party and independent candidates
Year 13	Cycle 2	Paper 1: Political Parties: Origins, ideas and development of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties and how these have helped shape their current policies Party structures and functions Issues and debates around party funding Policies of minor parties and their impact on political debates and political agenda Development towards a multiparty system and its impact on government and policy Pressure Groups: Typologies and methods used by different pressure groups Factors likely to affect the political influence of different groups Influences on government and Parliament of think tanks, lobbyists, corporations and the media Paper 2: Pressure Groups: Extent of political pluralism in the USA Typologies of pressure groups Methods and tactics of pressure groups Pressure group funding in elections Debates on power of pressure groups Role and significance of Political Action Committees and Super PAC’s regarding electoral finance Civil Rights: Protection of civil rights under the Constitution, Bill of Rights, amendments and Supreme Court rulings Role of pressure groups in supporting civil rights Impact of political issues concerning civil rights and liberties on US politics in relation to race.

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