This specification is designed to encourage candidates to:
- develop their critical thinking skills and the ability to interpret, evaluate and comment
- develop a critical awareness of the nature of politics and the relationship between political ideas, institutions and processes
- acquire knowledge and understanding of the structures of authority and power within the political system of the United Kingdom, and how these may differ from those of other political systems
- acquire knowledge and informed understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the individual
- develop an interest in and engagement with contemporary politics
Course Content:
On this course you will studyfour units:
AS Level
Unit 1: GOVP1 People, Politics and Participation
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
Unit 2: GOVP2 Governing Modern Britain
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
A2 Level
Unit 3: GOV3A - The Politics of the USA
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
Unit 4: GOV4A - The Government of the USA
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
Details:
AS Level
Unit 1 People, Politics and Participation
- Participation and voting behaviour
- Electoral systems
- Political parties
- Pressure groups and protest movements
Unit 2 Governing Modern Britain
- The British Constitution
- Parliament
- The core executive
- Multi-level governance
Unit 3 The Politics of the USA
- The electoral process and direct democracy
- Political parties
- Voting behaviour
- Pressure groups
Unit 4 The Government of the USA
- The constitutional framework of US government
- The legislative branch of government: US Congress
- The executive branch of government
- The judicial branch of government: the supreme court
Recommended Reading
British Politics in Focus, Roy Bentley et al, 2004.
American Politics and Society, David McKay, 2005.
The European Union and British Politics, Andrew Geddes, 2003.
Qualification Information:
AS +A2 = A level in Government and Politics. Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.
Method of Study:
Online Version
Our online A-Level courses are fully digitised versions of the paper-courses, so you can study on any PC or smart device when connected to the internet.
As with the paper course, your online learning programme is completely flexible, so you can study at a pace that suits you.
All of our online course content is broken down into bite size chunks to make your learning more manageable and effective.
Method of Assessment:
The course contains a number of assignments which your tutor will mark and give you valuable feedback on. We call these Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs). You need only send the TMAs to your tutor for comment, not the self-assessment exercises which are also part of the course to help you gauge your progress.
Exams are taken at an AQA centre and we can provide an extensive list of centres for you.
Course Length Information:
Our A Levels come with tutor support for up to 24 months.
Tutor Support:
You will have access to a tutor, via email, who will mark your work and guide you through the course to help you be ready for your examinations. In addition you will be supplied with a comprehensive Study Guide which will help you through the study and assessment process.
