Upper 6th Form Curriculum

A2 Government and Politics

Syllabus Followed: Edexcel

This course comprises three units:

Unit 1: Representation in the USA

This unit examines electoral behaviour, and the various electoral processes in the USA, the nature of the US party system, the operation of pressure groups and the politics of ethnicity.

• Exam: 1 hour 15 mins
• Method of Assessment: 2 short questions from 4, plus 1 question from a choice of 3 essays

Unit 2: Governing the USA

This unit examines the US Constitution and the role of the Supreme Court, the workings of Congress, the office of the Presidency and the Federal Bureaucracy. It also examines the nature of US Federalism and how it has changed in recent times.

• Exam: 1 hour 15 mins
• Method of Assessment: 2 short questions from 4, plus 1 question from a choice of 3 essays

Module 3: Comparative US and UK Politics

This unit involves a comparison of the UK and US political systems, and draws together knowledge and understanding developed in the AS and in modules 1 & 2 of the A2 course.

• Exam: 1 hour 30 mins
• Method of Assessment: 2 questions from a choice of 4 essays

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