Politics

Assessment

How is this subject examined? Edexcel Paper 1 (UK Politics and Core Ideologies): Students will study democracy and participation, the nature of political parties, different electoral systems, theories of voting behaviour and the impact of the media on politics. Students will also study the philosophical traditions of conservatism, liberalism and socialism, as well as their contemporary manifestations. This exam is 2 hours long and constitutes a third of the total A- Level mark. The examination will consist of two 30 mark questions on political participation and one 24 mark question on political ideologies. Edexcel Paper 2 (UK Government and Optional Ideologies): Students will study the nature of the British constitution, the role of Parliament, the role of the Prime Minister and the Executive and the relationship between the different branches of the political system. Students will also study a further ideology (ecologism) in depth. This exam is 2 hours long and constitutes a third of the total A-Level mark. The examination will consist of two 30 mark questions on The UK Government and one 24 mark question on the optional political ideology (ecologism). Edexcel Paper 3 (Global Politics): Students will study the changing nature of globalisation and the state; global governance in political, economic, human rights and environmental dimensions; contemporary shifts in the balance of power between the USA, Russia, China and Europe; the EU and other regional organisations; and the realist and liberal frameworks for explaining international relations. This exam is 2 hours long and constitutes a third of the total A-Level mark. The examination will consist of two 30 mark questions on global politics generally and two shorter 12 mark responses comparing specific aspects of international relations and explanatory frameworks.