Government and Politics A Level
Full-Time
Level 3
A Level
Gorseinon
Two years
Telephone:
01792 890700 (Gorseinon)
Email: enquiries@gcs.ac.uk
Overview
Areas of study in year one include:
- Rights and democracy in the UK
- Elections and voting behaviour
- Political parties, pressure groups and movements
- How Wales and the UK are governed
Areas of study in year two include:
- US politics - elections, the Constitution, political parties and branches of government
- Ideologies such as conservatism, socialism, communism, liberalism and nationalism.
Key objectives are to:
- Develop an in-depth understanding of politics and government in Wales, the UK and the world
- Build an appreciation of democratic principles;
- Improve political literacy and empower students to actively participate in civic life.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of national and international government and politics
- Analyse political and governmental systems and different political concepts and theories
- Form well-reasoned connections, arguments and evaluations.
Key information
- A minimum of seven GCSEs at grades A*-C
- Including grade B in English Language and either grade B in English Literature or grade B in Humanities-related subject is essential
- Enthusiasm for learning about politics and a desire to deepen their understanding of how government works
- An awareness of news and current affairs
- No previous knowledge of the subject is required, accessible to students from diverse academic backgrounds.
- This is a classroom-based course with 4.5 hours contact time each week
- Four units will be studied across the two years, each assessed with two written examinations at the end of each year
- Lessons will be delivered through a combination of lectures, lively discussions and stimulating activities
- Learners will develop a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subject, as well as an ability to interpret and apply and to analyse and evaluate, skills which will be assessed and graded in your exams.
- Many students go on to undertake degree courses such as Politics, Law, International Relations, Journalism, Public Policy, Social Policy, History and Economics
- Students who have taken the course have gone on to study at highly regarded institutions such as Aberystwyth, Bristol, Cardiff, Oxford, Cambridge, Kings College London, LSE and Swansea
- Knowledge of Government and Politics is very useful in a wide variety of fields. It can be a great starting point for a career in politics, political parties and pressure groups, the civil service, local government, media, journalism, social work, law, public services, business and teaching.