Edexcel Politics with component 3A
The course covers the Politics and Government of the UK, key political philosophies and the Politics and Government of the USA. Lessons include regular discussions on current affairs, debates on key political issues and analysis of political journals. Students are expected to keep up-to-date with current examples through watching the news, reading newspapers and engaging with the department Twitter account.
Year 12 | Year 13 | |
Autumn |
UK Politics: · Democracy and participation · Political parties · Electoral systems · Voting behaviour UK Government: · The constitution · Parliament · The Prime Minister and the Executive |
Comparative Politics -USA: · US democracy and participation Comparative Politics -USA: · The presidency · The US supreme court |
Spring |
Political Ideologies: · Liberalism · Conservatism · Socialism UK Government: · Relationships between branches Non-core Political ideas: · Feminism |
UK Government Revision Comparative Politics -USA: · Civil rights Revision |
Summer |
Comparative Politics -USA: · The constitution Comparative Politics -USA: · Congress |
· Paper 1 – UK Politics · Paper 2 – UK Government · Paper 3 – Comparative Politics - USA |
Paper 1
Key Topic 1: Democracy and participation
Key Topic 2: Political parties
Key Topic 3: Electoral systems
Key Topic 4: Voting behaviour and the Media
Key Topic 5: Liberalism
Key Topic 6: Conservatism
Key Topic 7: Socialism
Paper 2
Key Topic 1: The Constitution
Key Topic 2: Parliament
Key Topic 3: The PM and Executive
Key Topic 4: Relations between branches
Key Topic 5: Non-core political idea- Feminism
Paper 3
Key Topic 1: US Constitution
Key Topic 2: US Congress
Key Topic 3: US presidency
Key Topic 4: US Supreme Court and US civil rights
Key Topic 5: US democracy and participation
Students have had the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament, the Supreme Court and Gloucester City Council Chambers. Ribston Hall have hosted local politicians in a hustings debate prior to the General Election. Politics students have also taken a leading role in running mock elections.