Higher Line Politics

Why choose Politics?   

Are you interested in current affairs and keen to build up an excellent level of political awareness?Would you relish the chance to participate in class discussions and debates?Are you curious as to how history influences both the present and the future?If so, the study of Government and Politics could be for you.

Related subjects

Politics sits very well alongside other humanities subjects like English, Economics, Theology, History and Business Studies but should also be considered as an option for the student of Science and Maths who is looking for a complementary subject to give them some breadth 

Course requirements

Most students have not studied Politics before and so the subject is taught assuming no prior knowledge. Students are expected to keep an up-to-date political diary tracking relevant current events.Students will need to be motivated to carry out individual research on syllabus topics and develop their ability to write clearly and thoughtfully. 

Further Important Information

The department organises a number of appropriate visits during the course. The Politics Society is extremely active and welcomes a large number of guest speakers to the College as part of its programme of events. Work experience and gap year placements can also be organised. See the College website for news of the department’s recent activities 

Higher Education and Careers Options

In the last few years pupils have gone on to study Politics at prestigious UK universities, often combining it with the study of Economics.Politics can help prepare pupils for many different careers.Past students are now working in a wide range of employment situations including:Law, Media, Politics, Civil Service (including the Diplomatic Service), Finance & Business Management

Course details

Assessment is exam based with no externally assessed coursework.

The AS course includes two units:

 People, Politics and Participation

 Governing Modern Britain

We focus on British Government and Politics at AS and study topics including, political participation, voting behaviour, political parties, the role of pressure groups, the British Constitution, Parliament, the core executive and multi-level governance.

The A2 course is made up of a further two units:

 The Politics of the USA 

 The Government of the USA

In your Rhetoric year we concentrates on the USA with topics including electoral systems, political parties, pressure groups, the constitutional framework, the legislature, executive and judiciary.