The Government and Politics course encourages students to develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the political system of the UK, and increases their capacity for critical thinking. It enables them to see relationships between different aspects of government and politics and to make comparisons with other political systems. Independent thought and analysis is encouraged, and students should be prepared to read widely and keep abreast of current affairs through newspapers, television news and social media. There is an emphasis on contemporary politics and current areas of constitutional concern; debating and the sharing of ideas and viewpoints is an integral part of the course. The Government and Politics course covers American politics in the second year. This enables the students to examine an alternative political system. There is an emphasis on comparative government, and the similarities and differences between the British and American systems will be explored.