Government and Politics

Course summary

We offer Politics as a one-year as well as a two-year A level. Students in the Politics department have an outstanding record of producing high grades and of going on to read Politics, History, International Relations and Business degrees. Many of our students come to the course with no knowledge of the subject and end by wishing to study it further at university. You will learn: • How to develop a critical awareness of the nature of politics and the relationship between political ideas, institutes and processes; • What the structures of authority and power are within the political system of the United Kingdom and the United States, and how these may differ from those of other political systems; • What the rights and responsibilities of individuals are to encourage participation by citizens within society; • How to develop personal effectiveness through a critical awareness of political events and issues, an empathetic understanding of the main political viewpoints and the skills required to argue a case with relevance and coherence; • A clear understanding of the ideologies and theories, motives and values that underpin political processes and governmental decision-making and the role of institutions in resolving conflicts, formulating public policies, and allocating scarce resources. This course will appeal if you enjoy debating current affairs and politics generally, and have a keen appreciation of the need to participate in the decision-making process, like doing a subject that affects your everyday life, or that offers the opportunity to progress to a career in politics, or simply to keep your options open – Politics can be a useful choice for a wide range of careers and can be combined with a wide range of sciences, social sciences and humanities subjects.