Government and Politics (A level)
Guru Nanak Sikh Academy
Key Stage 5 Curriculum Overview
| Key Stage 5 | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Year 12 | Introduction to UK Government and Politics: Sub Topic 1: Democracy and participation Q. To what extent has the democratic system evolved and how has participation within the politics in the UK changed? 1. Current systems of representative democracy and direct democracy. 2. Wider franchise and debates over suffrage. 3. Pressure groups and other influences. 4. Rights in context.. Sub Topic 2: Political parties: Q. To what extent is the view that the only political parties that matter in our political system are the Labour and Conservative parties correct? 1. Political parties. 2. Established political parties. 3. Emerging and minor UK political parties. 4. UK political parties in context. |
Sub Topic 3: Electoral Systems Q. To what extent is the electoral system in the UK in need of reform? 1. Different electoral systems. 2. Referendums and how they are used. 3. Electoral system analysis. Sub Topic 4: Voting Behaviour and patterns Q. To what extent has the media impacted voting behaviour and voting patterns? 1. Case studies of three key general elections. 2. The influence of the media. |
Component 1/ Topic 2: Core Political Ideas Q. To what extent do socialists/ conservatives/ Liberalists have conflicting views over how society/ the economy should operate? Sub Topic 1: Conservatism 1. Core ideas and principles of conservatism and how they relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy 2. The differing views and tensions within conservatism 3. The key ideas of key thinkers to exemplify the content from areas 1 and 2 Sub Topic: Liberalism 1. Core ideas and principles of Liberalism and how they relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy 2. The differing views and tensions within Liberalism 3. The key ideas of key thinkers to exemplify the content from areas 1 and 2. Sub topic: Socialism 1. Core ideas and principles of socialism and how they relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy 2. The differing views and tensions within socialism 3. The key ideas of key thinkers to exemplify the content from areas 1 and 2. |
Component 2: UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas There are two sections within this component, UK Government and Political Ideas. Students study the UK Government and one political idea from a choice of five from the Political Ideas section. 1. The constitution - Q. Evaluate the extent to which constitutional reforms introduced since 1997 have been successful in achieving their objectives. - The nature and sources of the UK constitution - The role and powers of devolved bodies in the UK, and the impact of this devolution on the UK. - How the constitution has changed since 1997. - Debates on further reform. 2. Parliament Q. Evaluate the extent to which Parliament is able to scrutinise the work of government. - The structure and role of the House of Commons and House of Lords. - The comparative powers of the House of Commons and House of Lords. - The legislative process. - The ways in which Parliament interacts with the Executive. Revision for the Mock Exams |
Mock Exams 3. Prime Minister and Executive Q. Evaluate the view that the cabinet plays an insignificant role in British politics. - The structure, role, and powers of the Executive. - The concept of ministerial responsibility. - The Prime Minister and the Cabinet. - The powers of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to dictate events and determine policy. 4. Relations between branches Q. Evaluate the extent to which the Supreme Court is important in limiting the power of the executive/ legislature. - The Supreme Court and its interactions with, and influence over, the legislative and policy-making processes. - hThe relationship between the Executive and Parliament. - The aims, role and impact of the European Union (EU) on the UK government. - The location of sovereignty in the UK political system. |
Component 2: Multiculturalism option Q. To what extent does multiculturalism agree on the role of the state? 1. Core ideas and principles of multiculturalism and how they relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy. 2. The different types of multiculturalism, particularly the features of integration and segregation. 3. The key ideas of the following thinkers to exemplify the content from areas 1 and 2. |
| Year 13 | Component 3: Government and Politics of the USA To what extent are sociologists, sociological perspectives, and sociological factors important in understanding Criminal and Deviant behaviour in the UK? 1. The US Constitution and federalism Q. Evaluate the extent to which the checks and balances of the US constitution are still effective today. - The nature of the US Constitution. - The principles of the US Constitution (as listed below) and an evaluation of their effectiveness today. - The main characteristics of US federalism. - Interpretations and debates around the US Constitution and federalism. 2. US Congress Q. Evaluate the extent to which Congress is a representative body. - The structure of Congress, The distribution of powers within Congress: - The functions of Congress: Representation, Legislative, Oversight. - Interpretations and debates around Congress. |
3. US presidency Q. Evaluate the extent to which there is an ‘imperial presidency’ in the USA. - Formal sources of presidential power as outlined in the US Constitution and their use. - Informal sources of presidential power and their use. - The presidency; Relationships between the presidency and the following institutions and why this varies, Limitations on presidential power and why this varies between presidents. - Interpretations and debates of the US presidency. 4. US Supreme Court and civil rights Q.Evaluate the extent to which the supreme court is a political institution. - The nature and role of the Supreme Court. - The appointment process for the Supreme Court. - The Supreme Court and public policy. - The protection of civil liberties and rights in the US today. - Race and rights in contemporary US politics. - Interpretations and debates of the US Supreme Court and civil rights. 5. US democracy and participation Q. Evaluate the extent to which the process of selecting presidential candidates is deeply flawed. Q. Evaluate the extent to which the USA has a two party system. - Electoral systems in the USA; Presidential elections and their significance, Campaign finance. - The key ideas and principles of the Democratic and Republican parties; The distribution of power and changing significance of the parties, The current conflicts and tendencies and the changing power and influence that exist within the parties, Coalition of supporters for each party. - Interest groups in the USA – their significance, resources, tactics and debates about their impact on democracy. - Interpretations and debates of US democracy and participation. |
6. Comparative approaches Q. Examine the way democracy and participation in the USA and UK differ. Q. Examine the ways in which the members of the US and UK Supreme Courts are appointed. Q.Examine the ways in which the US and UK cabinets are different. Q. Examine the ways in which the US House of Representatives and UK House of Commons are different. Q. Examine the extent to which the US and UK constitutions adhere to the doctrine of the separation of powers. - Theoretical approaches – Understanding of these three approaches and the different ways they explain similarities and differences between the government and politics of different countries. - Similarities and differences in the UK and USA; Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US Constitutions and the resulting impact on politics and government, The extent to which rational, cultural and structural approaches can be used to account for these similarities and differences; Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US legislative branches and their resulting impact on politics and government - Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US executive branches and their resulting impact on politics and government; The extent to which rational, cultural and structural approaches can be used to account for these similarities and differences. - Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US Supreme Courts and civil rights and their resulting impact on politics and government; The extent to which rational, cultural and structural approaches can be used to account for these similarities and differences. - CVHGCompare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US democracy and participation and their resulting impact on politics and government - The extent to which rational, cultural and structural approaches can be used to account for these similarities and differences. |
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