Overview

Government and Politics is a real life subject. Everybody talks about it every day of the week.
Hospital cuts, schools closing and amalgamating, the recession, dissident republicanism ... the list
goes on.

The Study of Government and Politics is your chance to try and find out the answers to these
questions as well as challenging the opinions and views of other people as well as your own.

Duration

2 Year Course
• Year 1 - AS Level
• Year 2 - A2 Level

Awarding Body

CCEA

Qualification Value

1 'A' Level

Entry Requirements

GCSE English at Grade C or higher

Course Content

Unit 1 - Government and Politics of Northern Ireland
• In this unit we will look at the Northern Ireland Assembly, the different political
parties in Northern Ireland, and how our MPs and MLAs are elected.
Unit 2 - British Political Process
• We will look at the powers of the Prime Minister, see what an MP does and how
the government passes laws. We will also see how the European Union has be
come increasingly important in our lives.
Unit 3 - US and UK Politics
• In this unit we will see the differences between the UK and the US. We will look at
the differences between Parliament and Congress and see how Gordon Brown and
Barack Obama get things done.
Unit 4 - Political Power
• Have you ever thought about why the government has the right to tell us what to
do? Why do people in North Korea put up with such a ruthless government? Is
there actually a small group of people who run the world? These are just some of
the issues that we will be debating.

Assessment

Each unit will be assessed by a written examination

Careers and Further Study

Government and Politics is excellent preparation for Third Level courses in Law, History,
Politics, Teaching and Social Work. The study of Government and Politics also develops a
range of skills that are very attractive to employers such as analysing and presenting
information, written and verbal communication and developing and sustaining an argument.

For further information contact Ms Diamond, Head of Department