Government and Politics A Level (Full AS + A2)

This course guides you through the AQA Government and Politics specification, preparing you for your AQA A-Level Government and Politics examinations.

The course covers relevant contemporary topics such as participation, political parties and pressure groups, as well as the governmental structures of both the UK and the USA. It encourages you to consider the connections and differences between political systems, aiming to develop a critical understanding of political processes and the ability to evaluate policial systems.

This A Level Government and Politics course encourages you to become engaged in the political process as an informed and active citizen.

This course has been designed to encourage you to:

• develop your 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

This course is aimed at those who want to gain a greater understanding of modern politics, as well as being an ideal complement to many other popular A-Levels, such as Economics and History.

This course consists of four units:

AS Level

Unit 1: GOVP1 People, Politics and Participation

• Participation and voting behaviour
• Electoral systems
• Political parties
• Pressure groups and protest movements

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

Unit 2: GOVP2 Governing Modern Britain

• The British Constitution
• Parliament
• The core executive
• Multi-level governance

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

A2 Level

Unit 3: GOV3A - The Politics of the USA

• The electoral process and direct democracy
• Political parties
• Voting behaviour
• Pressure groups

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

Unit 4: GOV4A - 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

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

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.

Exams

Exams are taken at an AQA centre and we can provide an extensive list of centres for you.

This course is aimed at those who want to gain a greater understanding of modern politics, as well as being an ideal complement to many other popular A-Levels, such as Economics and History.

We only require that students have basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given.