Government and Politics

Course summary

Course summary: • Build knowledge and understanding of the Government and Politics of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. • Use this knowledge to compare and contrast the institutions and political processes in these two countries. • Develop theoretical and practical knowledge of political ideas and ideologies. • Develop an understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues. • Use this knowledge to analyse contemporary political information and opinion. • Evaluate political information arguments and assertions. • Construct arguments of your own, come to substantiated judgements and conclude. Topics Taught: • Government and Politics of the UK: British Constitution, Democracy and Participation, Parliament, PM and Cabinet, Judiciary, Devolution, Political Parties, Pressure Groups, Structures of the EU. • Government and Politics of the US: American Constitution, Congress, Presidency, Judiciary, Elections, Pressure Groups, Political Parties, Civil Rights. • Also Comparative Politics looking at similarities and differences between the US and UK Systems. • Political Ideas: Conservatism, Socialism, Liberalism, and Feminism. Skills Taught: • Knowledge of political structures, ideas and issues. • Informed understanding of contemporary politics and political issues within their historical context. • Critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes. • Informed understanding of the influences and interests which impact political decisions. • Understanding of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups. • The ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information. • The ability to form arguments and make judgments. • Clear, concise, efficient and analytical writing.