Government and Politics

Course summary

Politics is a fascinating and dynamic subject that receives such widespread coverage in the media that it obviously offers endless opportunities for engaging students. The aims of this course are to develop a critical awareness of the nature of politics and the relationship between political ideas, institutions and processes, and to acquire a knowledge and understanding of the structures of authority and power within the political system of the United Kingdom and the United States. It will give students a clear appreciation of the theories, motives and values that underpin government thinking and action, and an empathetic understanding of the main political viewpoints and also global issues. The Politics course seeks to develop important intellectual and critical skills, such as an ability to construct and sustain arguments and select, analyse and present material appropriately. Politics is taught in a linear fashion over two years and all exams are all sat in the final year.