Government and Politics A Level

Just a few questions for those who are studying/have studied G&P for A level?

1) What was it like? Did you enjoy it? What did you study on the course?
2) Did you find that it complemented other subjects that you took? If not, why?
3) What are the main theories and ideologies of nationalism and socialism?

Thanks

B

Reply 1

BullYardBill

gpl is my favourite subject at A-level (with edexcel) at AS we did the basics: unit 1: democracy, elections, political parties, pressure groups, unit 2: constitution, parliament, cabinet and pm, judiciary Unit 3: elections more detail, constitutional reform, devolution, EU membership. I found all this really interesting and achieved 100% in the 3 exams (but i warn u i have a draw full of notes just for gpl) At A2 unit 4 looks at economy, welfare state, law and order and northern ireland (very interesting but intense module) i got 99% on it. Then we're currently doing unit 5 and 6 which is based on europe and unit 6 is the synoptic unit.
i found it complemented geography and economics very well with some overlap, but not in all areas.
We dont do "What are the main theories and ideologies of nationalism and socialism?" because schools decide out of a few options and we chose unit 4 - uk political issues. So this will depend on your school. Though these theories will be touched on in any case with wider reading (which btw is essential to getting an A)

Reply 2

love2learn

4

I was only able to take Politics at AS level, and it was the best subject I've ever taken. It didn't link too well with my other subjects, but that was my choice. I took it to challenge myself alongside 3 A2 levels (and general studies, but that doesn't really count). I did find it helped though in terms of essay writing. I was doing about 2 a week anyway for English Lit. and it helped in terms of discipline like always putting in evidence and substantiating views.

I haven't really looked at those two ideologies, but nationalism is a sense of pride in your country, so things like defence would probably be important. Socialism is a watered down version of communism essentially as a way to remember it. It's about supporting less unfortunate members of the community, health and welfare, redistribution of wealth etc. Labour is socialist in it's roots, but it did drop the clause in it's constitution that directly refers to it.

290/300 at AS - Government and Politics Rocks!!

Reply 3

tafadzwa

its good subject to take at A level especially if u combine it with either Economics or History. I did it with AQA and got an A. on Ideologies it depends which specification your college opts for.

Reply 4

Che!

11

1) What was it like? Did you enjoy it? What did you study on the course?

It's a great course to take - nice, easy A at AS, and the Route B option (Ideology) is very interesting and useful when studying other subjects.

2) Did you find that it complemented other subjects that you took? If not, why?

Yup - Marxism, Feminism etc etc - all highly relevant to literature

3) What are the main theories and ideologies of nationalism and socialism?

Not sure what you mean here... Key ideas behind Nationalism include the nation and the nation state, patriotism, organicism, self determination - and the varying schisms include Socialism nationalism, conservative nationalism, anti-colonial nationalism and liberal nationalism; key ideas behind socialism include equality, community, solidarity, cooperation and social class - socialist traditions encompass social democracy, democratic socialism and Marxism. Hope thats of some use - feel free to PM me for more help! :smile:

Reply 5

ice_cube

17

I do OCR politics and it hardly touches ideologies. At AS we studied all the basics of the British political system, and at A2 American politics. HIghly recommended.

Reply 6

mellow-yellow

1

AS Politics (with Edexcel) was British politics - elections, parties, constitutional reform etc, and even though there was quite a bit to learn I still really enjoyed it. And I found that because I already had a strong interest in Politics I actually knew quite a bit of it before studying it (although we did go into more depth).

Currently doing A2 and absolutely love it. We're doing Route D which is International Politics, but apparantly the chief examiner said that not that many people opt for this option. I reckon it's probably because it is much harder to teach. There aren't really any textbooks, for example. But if you're in a school/college which takes this option then lucky you! It is an amazing option - basically just everything that's going on around you in the world: different IGOs (UN, WTO, IMF etc), concepts like intervention - when have countries intervened and where they haven't, why not? Where does power really lie? Conflict - we looked at Israel, Rwanda, Sudan, Chechnya. The EU, the Special Relationship with the US, oh the list is endless, but soooo worth it!

Also, there are so many opportunities to do your own reading for A Level Politics and that's true with whichever A2 route you take, so if you're interested you'll be able to add to the arguments you cover in class with your own.

Does it complement other subjects? Yes. Actually all of my subjects! Definitely History, although not as much as I thought it would. Also, English Lit. and German.

I'd be very happy to send you a sample of my Politics notes if you want so you get a bit of a taster. Just PM me if you want them.

And lastly, for nationalism and socialism I reckon Wikipedia could probably do a better job answering your question:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

Reply 7

Knogle

16

mellow-yellow

AS Politics (with Edexcel) was British politics - elections, parties, constitutional reform etc, and even though there was quite a bit to learn I still really enjoyed it. And I found that because I already had a strong interest in Politics I actually knew quite a bit of it before studying it (although we did go into more depth).

Currently doing A2 and absolutely love it. We're doing Route D which is International Politics, but apparantly the chief examiner said that not that many people opt for this option. I reckon it's probably because it is much harder to teach. There aren't really any textbooks, for example. But if you're in a school/college which takes this option then lucky you! It is an amazing option - basically just everything that's going on around you in the world: different IGOs (UN, WTO, IMF etc), concepts like intervention - when have countries intervened and where they haven't, why not? Where does power really lie? Conflict - we looked at Israel, Rwanda, Sudan, Chechnya. The EU, the Special Relationship with the US, oh the list is endless, but soooo worth it!

Also, there are so many opportunities to do your own reading for A Level Politics and that's true with whichever A2 route you take, so if you're interested you'll be able to add to the arguments you cover in class with your own.

Does it complement other subjects? Yes. Actually all of my subjects! Definitely History, although not as much as I thought it would. Also, English Lit. and German.

I'd be very happy to send you a sample of my Politics notes if you want so you get a bit of a taster. Just PM me if you want them.

And lastly, for nationalism and socialism I reckon Wikipedia could probably do a better job answering your question:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

Do you have the entire set of notes for your AS/A2 years? :smile:

Reply 8

mellow-yellow

1

Knogle

Do you have the entire set of notes for your AS/A2 years? :smile:

I do indeed :biggrin:

Reply 9

DanBan

i do edecxel a2 govt and pol...love it!! last year was boring....political parties, pressure groups etc, but this year we are studying the political ideologies which is sooo interesting!! it goes beyond jus memorising and regurgitating, which is what so many a levels are about...we study the theories, the political thinkers behind it all...very stimulating. studying fascism in politics helped somuch with history....nazi germany, really gave me a deeper understanding than people in hte class who didnt do politics. if u do a different route at a2, not sure how useful it would be tbh.

Reply 10

Knogle

16

mellow-yellow

I do indeed :biggrin:

Any chance you could send them to me via email? PM me your answer. :smile:

Reply 11

Sorani

16

I do enjoy it but I find the second part of our A2 route quite dull (European Politics) and all our class (all 4 of us) were disappointed that we weren't doing American or International Politics which is what we'd all hoped for. I do still find it fairly interesting but I find some of the European issues go over my head because I don't enjoy it as much as I did earlier when we did the welfare state.

Reply 12

Rui

10

I love G&P. The most enjoyable lessons I've ever done.

I'm doing the ideologies section of A2. It's hard work, lots of reading, but extremely interesting.

Someone mentioned it didn't combine with other subjects. I disagree. I did Geography and Business Studies and it combines well with them.
I think you could put History, Sociology, Economics and others in that bracket to.

Reply 13

alinethers

just wondering has anyone got a set of notes to governemnt and politics edexcel unit 1 people and politics and A2 notes on ideologies please? wud b mostly appreciated

Reply 14

Phil88

Does anybody have any notes for Unit 6, route D?

Reply 15

The West Wing

18

Doing AS level with Edexcel and I absolutely love it :biggrin:

Reply 16

brimstone

OP

7

Wow, bumped or what... :wtf?:

Reply 17

spout

I am having the MOTHER of all meltdowns here. I cannot find an A2 Government and Politics revision guide ANYWHERE (tailored to edexcel or otherwise!!). I am panicking more than I have in a long time, as I can only revise/LEARN the subject through revision guides (poor teaching at my school). PLEASE anyone with any information PM me or respond. And yes this is genuine hysteria you are sensing here. THANKYOU.

Reply 18

spout

Ok chaps, never fear. A few hours of searching has yielded a promising result. A-level Politics Made Easy (Hardcover) by Kevin Bloor. It looks quite good to be fair.

Reply 19

liamb

9

Which Exam Board and which route does that cover?

Government and Politics A Level

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