What better time to study politics?  We live in a world which has so many opportunities but so many challenges.  Our politicians make crucial decisions every day.  We need our young people to be engaged in this process and be the agents of change going forward.   This course provides our students with the tools to understand, analyse and evaluate the political system both in the UK and in the USA.  From the roots of democracy to the Brexit debate and from the core ideas of western democracy to the election of Trump – this course provides students with the opportunities to get to grips with political values and views.

Enrichment

Students receive a range of enrichment opportunities including leading assemblies, running mock elections on issues, research projects and presentation of ideas in class along with the renowned soap box corner for political debate.  Students are also encouraged to attend Medway Youth Parliament to discover more about local politics.

Trips and Events

Students will have the opportunity to go to the Houses of Parliament and in previous years Year 13 students have made the trip across the pond to Washington and there are plans to repeat that next year.  We also ask local councillors and MPs to come in and speak to the students in their role as political educators.

Subject Leader: Mr A Ost – (aost@fortpitt.medway.sch.uk)

Curriculum Content

Key Stage 5 – Government & Politics

Exam board: Edexcel

YEAR 12

Component 1: UK Politics

Political Participation: This covers democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media

Core Political Ideas: This covers conservatism, liberalism and socialism

Written Paper: 2 hours – three essays to be written

Component 2: UK Government

UK Government:  This covers the constitution, Prime Minister and Executive, parliament, relationships internal and external.

Political ideas: 1 option from anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism

Written Paper: 2 hours – three essays to be written

Component 3: Comparative Politics

The United States of America

Constitution, Congress, The Presidency, Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation and comparative theories

Written Paper: 2 hours – two short answer questions and two essays to be written