Course Live_AC_paperturn-3 - Flipbook - Page 54
POLITICS
A Level
Politics is about power: who has it, what they can and can’t
do with it and how they win and lose it. It is therefore about
us, the people, as well as political parties, pressure groups,
and international organisations such as the European
Union and the United Nations.
Politics A Level is never dull or predictable. The course
could hardly be more relevant as you discover what the
political parties stand for, whether protest is effective and
what your rights are in our democracy. You will learn to
identify political arguments and come to understand how
your life is affected by political activity. You will explore
topics such as why people vote for particular parties – is it
the media, the appeal of leaders or are there longer-term
factors such as age or class? You will explore the impact
of BREXIT, devolution and human rights legislation on the
way the UK is governed. You will also examine the ‘nuts
and bolts’ of our political system; the power of the Prime
Minister, the role of Parliament and the limitations placed
on their powers by the Supreme Court.
Underpinning this are the political ideologies: liberalism,
conservatism, socialism and nationalism. Studying
these ideologies raises important questions of political
philosophy, such as, what makes a just and fair society?
In the second year, you will study Global Politics. We live
in a complex world with significant challenges, including
global terrorism, poverty, economic instability, weapons
proliferation, failing states and environmental degradation.
Global Politics gives an opportunity to develop an
understanding of these issues and how the international
community addresses them.
COURSE CONTENT
YEAR 1
• UK Politics
• Political ideas: Liberalism, Conservatism,
Socialism
• UK Government
YEAR 2
• Political ideas: Nationalism
• Comparative Politics: Global Politics
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
CAREER PATHWAYS
Standard Advanced Level entry
requirements
Students progress to a wide variety
of university degrees, but Politics and
International Relations is a favourite. Past
students have gone on to work in the
House of Commons, and as lawyers,
journalists, teachers, lobbyists, police
officers and in business and the civil
service.
assessment
100% exam
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
Debating skills; negotiation; understanding
different perspectives; formulating your
own opinion; subject knowledge to enable
understanding of real-life situations.
OTHER INFORMATION
Varndean has a weekly Politics Society
where you can hear a wide range of
speakers, from MPs from all parties to
pressure group activists. The department
also has links to the two local universities
and organises lectures from subject
experts. Trips are also organised to the
Houses of Parliament and party political
conferences.
VA R N D E A N S I X T H F O R M C O L L E G E 2 0 2 6
53
