The Politics Department Politics is taught only in the Sixthh Form and is an increasingly popular A-Level choice for Stoics. The Department aims to provide students with not only an academic understanding of this subject, but also a broader appreciation of the political issues faced both in the UK and globally. The subject offers the opportunity for students to engage in discussion and learn about some of the major crisis facing the UK today including immigration, globalisation, oil shortages and the situation in the middle east.
Head of Department, Miss F C Smith
A-Level Politics tries to identify how governments work. It does not train one to be a politician and nor does it require the student to have strong party political beliefs. Where in History the actions of many governments over many years are studied, Politics tries to analyse in much more detail how individual governments really operate. The key issues are how political actors such as the PM, Cabinet and MPs interact, how they should interact and how they are constrained and respond to broader public opinion. It also looks at the constraints on government such as the electoral process, the judiciary and pressure groups, as well as the machinery of the political system including the role of Parties and the Civil Service. In the Lower Sixth the main area of study is Britain. The role of the public is considered in terms of how we can influence government and the institutions of state are studied in order to understand the role of Parliament. Changes are being made to the UK's Constitution and it is important to understand how these affect political systems e.g. reform of the House of Lords. The increased role of the EU is crucial in British politics and the debate of whether the UK should integrate further, or get out, is investigated. In the Upper Sixth the fragmented American system of government is analysed. The US Constitution is vague, but it clearly separates power out between Congress and the President, and between Washington and the States. However, this system leads to semi-permanent stalemate. Is it possible to have too much democracy? Does the American system indicate problems that lie ahead for Britain? Comparing the British and American systems is fascinating, given that all aspects of their respective governments differ from each other and yet both countries see themselves as being a model of good, democratic rule.
AS - The UK Government
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People & Politics
How the British public interact with the political system through
elections, political parties and pressure groups. The concept of
democracy is also considered and an evaluation of whether or not
the UK is a truly democratic nation.
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Governing Britain
The institutions of state are studied, including Parliament, the PM
and Cabinet, Civil Service and Judiciary. The nature of the British
Constitution is flexible and therefore always evolving; does this
cause problems for civil liberties in a new age of terrorist activity?
A2 - Comparative British & American Politics
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Representation in the USA
How elections operate in the US and whether the cult of
personality really matters. Pressure groups and racial
tensions are also considered.
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Governing the USA
The constitution is studied and its influence over all aspects
of the US Government analysed. The role of President and
Congress are compared with the UK. The role of the
Supreme Court as guardian of the constitution is
considered.
Combinations, Skills Needed and Requirements Politics is normally studied in combination with other arts and social science subjects, such as Economics, History, English or Business Studies. Politics may also be chosen by those who consider themselves to be primarily scientists and who are looking for a broadening, fourth AS. The skills required are similar to the skills required of a good historian. At least a 'B' grade in History or an equivalent GCSE will normally be expected. Politics is an extremely popular university course, often in combination with subjects such as Economics, Management and Philosophy. Politics is also highly regarding for those students considering studying Law at university. Political scientists then progress to a wide variety of management careers and normally enjoy incomes well above the average pay of graduates.
