Politics is emphatically far more than the study of boring men in boring suits; politics is the study of power – the what, who, where, why and when of that universal phenomenon. The world of politics does not stand still and studying British and American politics now is probably more exciting than it’s ever been. Widespread constitutional reforms have changed the political map in the UK. The establishment of the Parliament in Scotland and Wales and assemblies in Northern Ireland and London mean that power is shifting. Not only that, Britain’s membership of the EU has been subject to a referendum but Britain’s relationship with the EU still remains uncertain. In America, a populist billionaire won the support of the right and the confounding of prejudices has left millions of voters disenchanted with the political system. Despite losing the 2020 election, Donald Trump may be back on the ballot in 2024. The US Supreme Court vehemently claims to defend the constitutional rights of all Americans whilst their decisions continue to divide a nation. The year 2020 heralded a paradigm shift in the political and economic landscape the likes of which the world has never witnessed, and the effects of that shift are still being felt today. At the age of 18 you will gain the right to vote, giving you the ability to shape your destiny and encourage the principles you hold dear to thrive. With this in mind, it could easily be argued that Politics remains the most applicable subject on offer and is a subject that people should be encouraged to take due to nothing less than the way it prepares you for entering the adult world. A level Politics aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of contemporary politics and its historical context, both within the UK and globally. This involves a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions, and processes. It is an ideal course for anyone who is interested in topical issues which affect the lives of every people in the UK and the course should appeal to students who enjoy discussion and debate of controversial matters. Students will continually assess whether the theories concerning politics match with the reality of how countries are governed. In Year One students develop knowledge and understanding of government in the UK, its institutions, their roles, powers and interrelationships. In addition, students will develop knowledge and understanding of the different levels of political participation in the UK and assessing the historical context for these. The course will also cover the role and method of elections, voting, political parties, the Supreme Court and Britain’s relationship with the European Union. Students will also be required to have knowledge of a range of ideologies varying from Conservatism and Liberalism to Socialism and Nationalism. In Year Two students examine some of same debates that they encountered in year one but compare them to the American political system. Aspects of the American system that will be analysed include the American Constitution, Supreme Court and Civil Rights.