Curriculum Leader: Mr J Campbell
Our vision
At A Level, the Government & Politics and Sociology Department aims to create a community of active learners equipped to understand and engage with current affairs and contemporary societal matters. We focus on fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and leadership qualities to empower students to make positive contributions to politics and society. Through the CCEA and WJEC academic curriculum, we aim to enhance students’ communication skills, both written and oral, preparing them to effectively communicate in diverse situations. We promote enrichment activities, such as debating, to stimulate intellectual growth and expression. Our aim is to nurture compassionate individuals who value empathy and inclusivity. By deepening students’ understanding of the wider world, we aim to prepare them to tackle contemporary challenges and be ready to contribute positively to meaningful change. Ultimately, we aim for our pupils to emerge as well-rounded, socially conscious individuals ready to succeed in the world of work and make a positive impact on society.
CCEA GCE Government & Politics Specification and summary
The AS is the first part of the full A-level course and accounts for 40% of the A-level. The full A-level comprises the AS and the A2 part of the A-level course. The AS can be taken as a ‘stand-alone’ qualification without progression to a full A-level.
AS 1 The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland including political developments since 1994, the NI Assembly, the NI Executive and the changing electoral performances of our main political parties including the DUP, UUP, Sinn Fein, SDLP and APNI. (40% of AS and 16% of A Level)
AS 2 The British Political Process: The Prime Minister, Cabinet, the House of Commons, the House of Lords, the Judiciary and Pressure Groups. (60% of AS and 24% of A Level)
A2 1 American Politics. In the comparative section the main themes are comparing the Legislatures (Parliament and Congress) and Executives (Prime Minister and Cabinet and President and Cabinet), the role of pressure groups and the Supreme Court. (35% of A Level) A2 2 In Political Ideas we examine three political ideologies and associated texts: Conservatism and Burke’s ‘Reflections on the Revolution in France’, Liberalism and Mill’s ‘On Liberty’ and Socialism and Marx’s ‘The Communist Manifesto looking at issues such as freedom, rights and equality. (25% of A2)
Independent Learning Opportunities
Independent learning opportunities include, the reading of academic books and journals (including a Departmental Library), watching documentaries and listening to podcasts, and the critical analysis of media, including newspapers.
Transferable Skills
Transferable skills include those of organisation, communication (written and oral), argumentative, research, managing information, working with others etc. Social Sciences provide skills that all employers demand; it is not the degree you study but the skills that they provide which is important.
Career opportunities
These subjects offer the development of many transferrable skills valuable to all careers but is most specifically useful in the fields of Law, the Media, Politics, Journalism, Policing, Youth Work, Advertising/PR, Business, the Charity Sector, International Development, Teaching, Social Work and Psychology.
Extracurricular
Debating