A Level Politics | Furness College

A Level Politics

You take an interest in current affairs and enjoy debating current affairs and politics generally. You wish to study a subject that affects your everyday life.
Students progress to a broad range of degrees that draw on the skills of argument and communication honed on the course.
You will develop a critical awareness of the nature of politics and gain knowledge and understanding of the political system of the UK and detailed knowledge of political institutions and figureheads. You will be able to communicate relevant, clear and coherent arguments. You will discuss the concepts of democracy, power and authority and the impact of the electoral system of the UK. You will also explore the Government of the UK. Later on you will study the Government and Politics of the USA and influences behind the US political system.
Lessons tend to be active and you will learn through a variety of activities including role-play, pair and group work and individual research. You will develop your ICT skills and make considerable use of the internet. You will have the opportunity to visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the Houses of Parliament and will be encouraged to undertake work placement to experience the workings of local government.

Course Content

What Modules will you Study?

Students will follow the Edexcel specification

Politics Paper One

• Democracy - What does it mean? Is the UK really democratic? Students will look at how people can get engaged with politics and study different pressure groups such as PETA and Extinction Rebellion & Civil rights.
• Political parties - The history of the parties and how they have changed including - Labour, Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and Nationalist parties.
• Electoral systems - Is First Past The Post still fit for purpose? What systems do other countries use to elect their leaders? Is there a better way?
• Voting behaviour & The Media - Why do people vote Labour? Conservative? Lib Dem? Does what gender or age you are change the way you vote?
• Concepts of Liberalism - Conservatism and Socialism - Special studies on the 1979, 1997 and modern-day elections including 2019!

Politics Paper Two

• Parliament - The history of Parliament, The Commons and the Lords, How laws are made, Prime Ministers Questions
Sovereignty of Parliament
• Prime Minister and Cabinet - Powers of the PM, Relationship with Cabinet ministers, Key PM’s including Thatcher, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May and Johnson.
• The Constitution - The history of the UK’s unwritten constitution, Is a ‘Bill of Rights’ needed?
• Concepts of Nationalism - The rise of Nationalism historically – Beginning with the Nazi’s and the rise of the Far Right currently in Europe.
Students will study the following prime ministers;
• Callaghan
• Thatcher
• Major
• Blair
• Brown
• Cameron/May/Johnson/Truss/Sunak

Politics Paper Three

Analysis and comparison of US politics compared to the UK.
• Congress
• President
• The US Constitution
• Voting in US elections
• Supreme Court
• Pressure groups

Students will study the following presidents;
• Bush
• Obama
• Trump
• Biden

How long is the course?

Full time over 2 Years

Where will I learn?

The Sixth Form - Rating Lane Campus

How much will this course cost?

Please refer to the College fees policy, for more information please contact Student.Services@furness.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

What are the entry requirements?

To study this A Level course you will need a minimum of three GCSEs at Grade 4 or above and two GCSEs at grade 5 or above.

If you have grade 3 in English or maths you will study this alongside your other subjects. We are unable to offer both GCSE English and maths as part of the same programme. Please contact us for advice if you need to re-sit both English Language and maths.

Our A Level courses may be studied as a programme of three A Level subjects or as blended programme with one or two vocational subjects. Please check individual course pages for entry requirements.

Honours programme students will have a minimum average GSCE score of 6.0. In addition to studying three A Level subjects, Honours students will be enrolled on an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The Honours Programme prepares students for university, supporting development of key skills such as independent research and report writing.