Politics

The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.

Winston Churchill

This course will appeal to students who:

Have an interest in current affairs and wish to understand the political background, like doing a subject that affects their everyday lives; analysis and decision making, discussion and debate are integral to the course.

Appreciate the need to understand and take part in decision making.

Want to keep their options open – Politics can be a useful choice for a wide range of careers and broadens your choice across humanity subjects, while combining with other areas. A qualification in politics is highly regarded because of the skills and knowledge it develops.

Have a keen interest in history and wish to study a complementary subject.

KS5 Politics

Please see below for the KS5 A level Politics Edexcel Specification 9PL0

Student Course Criteria

This course will appeal to students who:

Have an interest in current affairs and wish to understand the political background
Like doing a subject that affects their everyday lives; analysis and decision making, discussion and debate are integral to the course
Appreciate the need to understand and take part in decision making
Want to keep their options open – Politics can be a useful choice for a wide range of careers and broadens your choice across humanity subjects, while combining with other areas. A qualification in politics is highly regarded because of the skills and knowledge it develops
Have a keen interest in history and wish to study a complementary subject.

Course Overview
During your course you will learn: How to develop a critical awareness of the nature of politics and the relationship between political ideas, institution and processes. What the structures of authority and power are within the political system of the United Kingdom, and how these may differ from other political systems, particularly USA and Europe. What are the rights and responsibilities of individuals in order to encourage participation within society? How to develop personal effectiveness through a critical awareness of political events and issues, an understanding of the main political viewpoints and the skills required to argue a case with relevance and coherence A clear understanding of the theories, motives and values that underpin political processes and governmental decision making; the role of institutions in resolving conflicts

Course Overview

During your course you will learn:

How to develop a critical awareness of the nature of politics and the relationship between political ideas, institution and processes.
What the structures of authority and power are within the political system of the United Kingdom, and how these may differ from other political systems, particularly USA and Europe.
What are the rights and responsibilities of individuals in order to encourage participation within society?
How to develop personal effectiveness through a critical awareness of political events and issues, an understanding of the main political viewpoints and the skills required to argue a case with relevance and coherence
A clear understanding of the theories, motives and values that underpin political processes and governmental decision making; the role of institutions in resolving conflicts

Year 12
Component One: UK Politics	Component Two: UK Government
This component introduces students to the study of politics by looking at the central ideas of citizenship, democracy and participation, and by examining the representative processes in the UK. The main topics covered are: Democracy and Political Participation. Party policies and ideas, Elections, Pressure Groups, electoral systems and the Media. We will also study three core political ideas: 1) Socialism 2) Liberalism 3) Conservatism.	This component provides an introduction to the major institutions of UK Government and examines their relationships with one another and considers their effectiveness. The main topics covered are: The UK Constitution, The Role and Significance of Parliament, The Prime Minister and Cabinet. We will also study one non-core political idea, Feminism.

Year 12

Component One: UK Politics

Component Two: UK Government

This component introduces students to the study of politics by looking at the central ideas of citizenship, democracy and participation, and by examining the representative processes in the UK.

The main topics covered are: Democracy and Political Participation. Party policies and ideas, Elections, Pressure Groups, electoral systems and the Media.

We will also study three core political ideas: 1) Socialism 2) Liberalism 3) Conservatism.

This component provides an introduction to the major institutions of UK Government and examines their relationships with one another and considers their effectiveness.

The main topics covered are: The UK Constitution, The Role and Significance of Parliament, The Prime Minister and Cabinet. We will also study one non-core political idea, Feminism.

Year 13
Component Three: Comparative Politics
This component looks at the USA’s elections and voting, Political Parties, Racial and Ethnic Politics, Pressure Groups and political systems. We study the US Constitution and Federalism, US Congress, US President, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories.

Further Opportunities Following this Course:

Students with A Level Politics have access to a wide range of possible career and higher education opportunities. You will learn and use a variety of transferable skills of communication, problem solving, working with others, which improve your own performance. Most importantly you will learn how to analyse complex texts and ideas and construct arguments in essays. These skills are in great demand and are recognized by employers, universities and colleges as being of great value, the subject combines well with a range of social science and humanities subjects, leading on to courses in business, economics, law, media, philosophy, history and politics.

Securing a Place at Post 16

Students need to have a grade 6 in History or if this subject has not been taken any humanities subject including Sociology or Religious Studies with a grade 6 or above.

Our Curriculum Deputy Headteacher, Ms J Foster, will be happy to supply further detail and more information if required.

Please contact her at ecsgeneral@enfieldcs.enfield.sch.uk or telephone 020 8363 3030.