Politics may be a new subject for you to study, but it arises from a basic feature of human social life: differing interests and viewpoints. Politics concerns how society or groups manage conflict and disagreement. Ideas about what is politics, how we can participate in politics, the role of the media, and the way in which the British political system works are explored in the AS course. The focus switches to the other side of the Atlantic in the A2 course, analysing American politics such as the role of the President, Congress, Supreme Court, and the relationship between Washington and the states making up the Union. The subject is examined through essays, short answers and analysis of documentary texts, so a variety of skills are tested.

 

Entry with:

GCSE grade B in a subject requiring good writing skills e.g. English or humanities. 

• • The main skills the course develops are research and written communication. A balanced handling of political questions will be encouraged.
• • The course will develop an interest in citizenship and an up-to-date knowledge of current affairs.
• • Politics students visit the institutions of local and central government, and visits to the College from politicians and speakers on political matters are arranged on a regular basis.
• • The Department organises an annual study trip to Washington DC, which has been a huge success in past years.
• • In 2006 two of our students won an award for being placed in the top ten students nationally.
• • Politics students go on to study a wide variety of subjects at University, including PPE, International Relations, Law, Journalism, as well as allied academic subjects.

 

Awarding body: Edexcel

AS Level Units

Unit 1: People and Politics. 50%
Unit 2: Governing the UK. 50%
 

Advanced (A2) Level Units

Unit 3: Topic C, Representative Processes in the USA. 50%
Unit 4: Topic C, Governing the USA. 50%
 

 

 

• • Experienced and well-qualified teachers
• • Well-equipped class-rooms in modern teaching block
• • Well-resourced department
• • Good library facilities
• • Open-plan computer study area
• • Opportunities for one-to-one learning support from a teacher

 

“Politics at Hills Road is an excellent subject with great trips. You learn loads, debating, researching and reading as well as listening. The visit to Parliament was interesting but the best part is the trip to Washington DC. It’s amazing. Studying both UK and US politics is a really good grounding for life in general.”
Ed Horley
“Politics has been such fun this year. The atmosphere is always lively, active and constructive, the teachers offer help whenever it is needed. The politics packs are so useful and the layout is easy to learn. Politics is my favourite subject by far. The trip to the Houses of Parliament was really enjoyable whilst educational and it helped understand the theory of the political system taught in lessons.”
Shannon Revel