Politics is impossible to ignore; it is the bones of our society, the institutions that govern our daily lives and the theories that underpin all of our beliefs as human beings.
Subject Information
Politics is the subject for you if you have an interest in how government works, want to know more about the competing ideas on how to run a country, and enjoy debate and discussion. You may have studied Politics at GCSE and enjoyed it, or you might be completely new to the subject; there is no requirement either way. This course gives you a chance to sharpen your critical mind, develop your writing skills and practise engaging in verbal discussion and debate. As such, it is a fast-paced and engaging subject which will equip you with a range of transferable skills going forward. It also gives you an opportunity that many individuals never get – the chance to truly understand how politics works and to become engaged, empowered and active citizens going forward.
Course Details
This is a varied and wide-ranging course in terms of content, giving you the chance to not only develop an understanding of how British politics works, but also to compare that with the US system. In addition, we look at a range of political theories including liberalism, conservatism, feminism, ecologism and anarchism. This allows you to consider and challenge your own beliefs and values and to situate them within the bigger picture.
The three modules are as follows:
- UK Government and Politics (How powerful is our Prime Minister? How and why do we vote the way we do? What do the parties stand for? How does the judicial system protect and uphold our human rights? What are the big issues in UK politics today?)
- US Government and Politics (How powerful is the President? Are US political parties as important as they are in the UK? Who has power in the USA? What is the US Supreme Court and how has it protected human rights?)
- Political Ideas (Where did political theory come from? What is feminism? What is multiculturalism and do we have a multicultural society? Is ecologism the most important idea on the agenda? Is there an argument for anarchy?)
The three exams each focus on one of these modules and encompass a range of essay-style questions, requiring you to explain, analyse and evaluate. These skills will be honed throughout the course at Chesterton with regular question practice, verbal debate and discussion of real-life contemporary examples.
In addition to this, we want to give you the opportunity to engage with politics as individuals and see it in action. We will question our local MP, follow national elections and replicate them in school and work with existing extracurricular societies such as Chesterton Pride Club, the Female Lead, Debate Club and the school newspaper in order to bring politics to life here at Chesterton. You will be encouraged to read or watch the news to keep up with the exciting developments in the world of politics, both here and in the USA.
Circumstance permitting, we hope to organise a trip to the Houses of Parliament in order to see where the debate happens and our laws are made. Politics is a living subject and the more you can engage with it, the more enriched your studies will be.
Subject Specific Entry Requirements
- Grade 6 in GCSE English .
- Grade 6 in GCSE Geography, History or Politics (if taken) .
Where could Politics take me?
Politics equips you with a range of transferrable skills such as critical thinking, analysis and the ability to construct argument both verbally and in writing. As a result, it is considered a desirable subject by universities. Politics students go on to study subjects such as Politics, International Relations, Law, History, PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) and many more. It is helpful for a variety of careers but especially in fields such as law, politics, journalism, teaching or publishing.
Reading List
UK Politics
- UK Politics Annual Update 2021
this annual book written for A Level Politics students includes all of the recent big political events. Events this time include the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests and the state of political parties. - This Land
written by Owen Jones, a columnist for the Guardian and activist for Labour, this book looks to build a equal society using figures from across the political spectrum. - We’re Living Through the Breakdown
this book is written by Tatton Spiller of Simple Politics, and looks at how we can understand politics in an age of huge change. - Tim Shipman all-out war
insight into the Brexit referendum and the race to replace David Cameron - Andrew Marr History of Modern Britain
Political Ideas
- 50 Politics Classics
a great book that helps to condense the main ideas of many key thinkers, including Thomas Hobbes, Mary Wollstonecraft and more. - Essentials of Political Ideas
an A Level book that looks into the political ideas, their thinkers and other revision tips.
US Politics
- US Politics Annual Update 2021
similar to the UK edition, this book is written for A Level Politics students, and includes updates about the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA, and the 2020 presidential election. · UnPresidented – written by the BBC’s North America correspondent, this book looks at the 2020 presidential election from behind the scenes, an election like no other.
Television series
- Coalition – available on all 4
- Long Walk to Finchley – You Tube
- Mrs America – BBC iPlayer
- Theresa May Vs Boris the battle to be PM – You tube
- This England – Sky
- The Good Fight – all four.
- The Good Wife – all four/Netflix
