Government and Politics

Course summary

The aims of this course are to encourage candidates to: 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 UK and the USA, and how these may differ from those of other political systems; Acquire knowledge and informed understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the individual; Encourage an interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics and political ideologies. As an A Level subject, Politics makes extensive use of the school’s online learning facility. As well as a valuable teaching and learning tool, it provides candidates with an experience of the kind of resource they can expect to use at university. The Department sets no formal entry requirements, other than those for entry into the Sixth Form. This is not an indication as to the difficulty of the course; rather the educational philosophy of the department. No prior knowledge of the subject is required, just an enthusiasm for learning and willingness to engage with the subject.