G O V E R N M E N T   &
P O L I T I C S
EDEXCEL: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS (8GPO1 & 9GPO1)

INTRODUCTION
Do you enjoy a good argument? Are you interested in current affairs? Do you think Gordon Brown is a good or a bad Prime Minister or that the Conservative Party have good or bad policies? Are you interested in finding out more about how the Government, Parliament, Judges, Pressure Groups and other institutions work?

If so Government and Politics AS is for you. Then at A2 you can study Global Politics - finding out about the main international bodies like the UN, EU and NATO and then look at the international response to problems such as genocide in the Sudan, human rights abuse in Burma and poverty in the global south

Entry Requirements
Enthusiasm for the subject with a willingness to join in discussions, to argue and to keep up to date with the news.

Highlights
Small set sizes
Plenty of opportunity to debate
Chance to hear top Politicians speak
Improved analytical and evaluative skills

Content
1st Year AS
You can take just the AS on its own or study it as a stepping-stone to the full A level qualification.
The AS consists of two units covering:

Prime Minister,	Pressure Groups,
Judges,	Cabinet,
Elections,	Political Parties,
Constitution,	Parliament,
European Union,	Devolution and Theory.

2nd Year A2 Global Politics
A2 completes the A level qualification and also covers many of the issues discussed at the Model United Nations.
Again, there are two units covering:
Global structures and institutions like NATO and the UN and looking at the global response to war, poverty, the environment and human rights.

Looking Further Ahead
In the last five years over 60% of Politics students achieved A or B grades (with 100% passing A2) so you should be well set up to go to the university of your choice. Recently a number of students have studied Law, International Relations and Politics at University but the skills you learn will be useful for a wide range of courses.