Course Outline

Unit 1: GOVP1 – People, Politics and Participation

 

This unit focuses on the theme of political behaviour in the UK. It explores how people's different patterns of participation can be explained and the forms of participation in a democracy.

 

The importance of voting behaviour, the influence of electoral systems in communicating political opinion and the controversies surrounding the use of referendums are crucial topics for analysis.

 

The principal institutions through which people's participation is achieved: political parties and pressure groups, are explored in terms of communicating views, shaping people's political ideas and the acquisition of resources which are likely to make them more powerful within the wider political system.

 

• Participation and voting behaviour
• Electoral systems
•  Political parties
• Pressure groups and protest movements

Unit 2: GOVP2 – Governing Modern Britain

 

This unit focuses on the process of governing the UK, with power dispersed from local to European levels. The extent to which Britain's unique constitution regulates the process of government and maintains the balance between individual rights and the power of the state is explored.

 

The role of Westminster in providing a democratic element in government is examined as well as the degree to which power rests in the hands of unelected bureaucrats. The direction which government takes is analysed at the very apex of power in arrangements within the core executive.

 

Academic controversies are assessed in terms of the focus on the key issue of how Britain is governed

 

• The British constitution
• Parliament
• The core executive
• Multi-level governance

Unit 3A: - GOV3A the Politics of the USA

 

At A2 there is a requirement for synoptic assessment and, in this unit, it is expected that students will draw upon and extend the political knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding gained from their AS studies and make the necessary connections between the areas studied. In the assessment of this unit credit will be given for appropriate references to contemporary developments, issues and debates in the areas covered.

 

• The electoral process and direct democracy
• Political parties
• Voting Behaviour
• Pressure groups

 

Students should study one of the Unit 3 options: either this unit, or Unit 3B Ideologies, or Unit 3C Politics and Power.

Unit 3B: - GOV3B Ideologies

 

At A2 there is a requirement for synoptic assessment and, in this unit, it is expected that students will draw upon and extend the political knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding gained from their AS studies and make the necessary connections between the areas studied.

In the assessment of this unit credit will be given for appropriate references to contemporary developments, issues and debates in the areas covered.

 

• Liberalism
• Socialism
• Conservatism
• Fascism

 

Students should study one of the Unit 3 options: either this unit, or Unit 3A The Politics of the USA, or Unit 3C Politics and Power.

Unit 3C: - GOV3C Politics and Power

 

At A2 there is a requirement for synoptic assessment and, in this unit, it is expected that students will draw upon and extend the political knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding gained from their AS studies and make the necessary connections between the areas studied.

In the assessment of this unit credit will be given for appropriate references to contemporary developments, issues and debates in the areas covered.

 

• Power in modern society
• Executive power
• Political culture
• Britain in Europe

 

Students should study one of the Unit 3 options: either this unit, or Unit 3A The Politics of the USA, or Unit 3B Ideologies.

Unit 4: GOV4A the Government of the USA

 

At A2 there is a requirement for synoptic assessment and, in this unit, it is expected that students will draw upon and extend the political knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding gained from their AS studies and make the necessary connections between the areas studied. In the assessment of this unit credit will be given for appropriate references to contemporary developments, issues and debates in the areas covered.

 

• The constitutional framework of US government
• The legislative branch of government: US Congress
• The executive branch of government
• The judicial branch of government: the supreme court

 

Students should study one of the Unit 4 options: either this unit, or Unit 4B Political Issues: Ideologies in Action, or Unit 4C Perspectives on Modern Politics.

Unit 4B: GOV4B Political Issues: Ideologies in Action

 

At A2 there is a requirement for synoptic assessment and, in this unit, it is expected that students will draw upon and extend the political knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding gained from their AS studies and make the necessary connections between the areas studied.

 

In the assessment of this unit credit will be given for appropriate references to contemporary developments, issues and debates in the areas covered

 

• Ethnicity and Gender
• The Environment
• Education
• The Economy

 

Students should study one of the Unit 4 options: either this unit, or Unit 4A The Government of the USA, or Unit 4C Perspectives on Modern Politics.

Unit 4C: GOV4C Perspectives on Modern Politics

 

At A2 there is a requirement for synoptic assessment and, in this unit, it is expected that students will draw upon and extend the political knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding gained from their AS studies and make the necessary connections between the areas studied.

 

In the assessment of this unit credit will be given for appropriate references to contemporary developments, issues and debates in the areas covered.

 

• Participation and Representation
• Globalisation
• Change and Continuity
• Territorial Politics

 

Students should study one of the Unit 4 options: either this unit, or Unit 4A The Government of the USA, or Unit 4B Political Issues: Ideologies in Action.

Summary of Assessments

Unit 1: GOVP1 – People, Politics and Participation

 

• 50% of AS Level
• 25% of A Level
• 1 hour 30 minutes written examination
• 80 marks
• Two structured source-based questions from a choice of four.

Unit 2: GOVP2 – Governing Modern Britain

 

• 50% of AS Level
• 25% of A Level
• 1 hour 30 minutes written examination
• 80 marks
• Two structured source-based questions from a choice of four.

Unit 3: either - GOV3A the Politics of the USA, or GOV3B Ideologies, or GOV3C Politics and Power

 

• 25% of A Level
• 1 hour 30 minutes written examination
• 80 raw marks
• Two questions from a choice of four.

Unit 4: either - GOV4A the Government of the USA, or GOV4B Political Issues: Ideologies in Action, or GOV4C Perspectives on Modern Politics

 

• 25 % of A Level
• 1 hour 30 minutes written examination
• 80 raw marks
• Two questions from a choice of four.

Assignment Information

 

Throughout the course there will be self-assessment questions, and tutor marked questions, to enable students to monitor their progress.

Recommended hours of study

 

It is recommended that 150 hours of your time should be allocated towards study for the AS examinations.

 

It is recommended that 150 hours of your time should be allocated towards study for the A2 examinations.

Recommended Reading

 

There are a number of textbooks that cover the AS and most parts of the A2 course (Units 1 and 2). Some of the best include:

 

British Politics in Focus, by Roy Bentley et all, 2004 – comprehensive and straight-forward

 

For the American politics sections of A2, there are also a number of books specifically aimed at A-level students, including:

 

American Politics and Society, by David McKay, 2005 – very good

 

On the European Union:

 

The European Union and British Politics, by Andrew Geddes, 2003