Government and Politics

Assessment

MPW adopts a linear approach to A-level study, working through each of the components in order across the two years. Wide reading, not only of textbooks and the MPW handouts, but also of newspapers and relevant websites is required, and students complete a minimum of two pieces of written work per week, in addition to the Timed Assignment. It is also paramount that students follow global political affairs to thrive in A-level Politics and it is recommended they read US news sources as well as UK ones. A Level Specification – 9PL0 Component 1: UK Politics 9PL0/01 Written examination: 2 hours. 33% of the qualification. 84 marks. Content overview: Political Participation, students will study democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media. Core Political Ideas, students will study conservatism, liberalism, and socialism. Assessment overview: Section A: Political Participation One 30-mark question from a choice of two (each question uses a source) – students must complete one of these. Plus one 30-mark question from a choice of two – students must complete one of these. All questions assess AO1, AO2 and AO3. Section B: Core Political Ideas One 24-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1, AO2 and AO3. Component 2: UK Government 9PL0/02 Written examination: 2 hours. 33% of the qualification. 84 marks. Content overview: UK Government, students will study: the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, and relationships between the branches. Non-core political ideas, students will study one idea from the following: anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationalism. Assessment overview: Section A: UK Government One 30-mark question from a choice of two (each question uses a source) – students must complete one of these. Plus one 30-mark question from a choice of two – students must complete one of these. All questions assess AO1, AO2 and AO3. Section B: Non-core Political Ideas One 24-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1, AO2 and AO3. Component 3: Comparative Politics 9PL0/3A or 3B Written examination: 2 hours. 33% of the qualification. 84 marks. Students studying either USA (9PL0/3A) or Global (9PL0/3B) – MPW will be studying 3A. Content overview: For USA (3A), students will study: the US Constitution and federalism, US Congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, and comparative theories. Assessment overview for 3A and 3B: Section A: One 12-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1 and AO2. Section B: One compulsory 12-mark question focused on comparative theories, which assesses AO1 and AO2. Section B: Two 30-mark questions from a choice of three, which assess AO1, AO2 and AO3.