Term 1: Why has democracy been worth dying for?
Students will explore the theme of 'democracy', understanding what this term means, how it has developed in the UK over time, and how democracy differs globally. Students will also debate the strengths of the UK's democracy, and also its limitations, considering key arguments around how it can be improved.
The Term 1 assessment will be an essay where students analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the UK's democracy.
British values
A set of standards which reflect the ideals of the British society.
Campaigning
Actions or events organised by an individual or a group of people to achieve an aim.
Censorship
The control of information or ideas within a society.
Citizenship
Being a citizen of a country and being vested with the rights and responsibilities of that state.
Democracy
A system of government, where the citizens are able to vote in regular and fair elections for representatives, who will make laws and decisions on their behalf.
Direct Democracy
Where the people decide on the policy directly, for example through a vote or referendum on each issue.
General Election
When the citizens of a country vote to elect a new government. A general election in the UK usually happens once every 5 years.
Human Rights
Basic rights and freedoms which all people are entitled to.
The media
Television, radio and printed media which can reach a large number of people. Includes social media and the internet
Petition
A formal, written request, usually signed by many people, which appeals to the authorities to bring about change in regard to a particular issue.
Pressure Group
An organised group of people who take action together to try to bring about change regarding a specific issue.
Representative Democracy
When the citizens of a country elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Voter Apathy
When a lot of people decide not to vote in an election.
Develop the individual:
Students will develop their understanding of contemporary political structures and issues in their historical context, both within the United Kingdom (UK) and globally.
Create a supportive community:
Students will develop an informed understanding of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups.
Term 2: How do we start with a box and end with a Prime Minister?
Students will learn about the process of a General Election, and how this ends with a Prime Minister leading government. Students will explore the key events in the run up to voting day, and will analyse the strengths and weaknesses of first past the post system. Students will also gain an understanding of why there is political disagreement, how we can place political beliefs on a spectrum, and where the current influential political parties sit on this. Students will also consider the important first steps of a Prime Minister.
Knowledge Quiz
By-election
An election to a public office that occurs when a post holder dies or resigns between elections.
Campaigning
Actions or events organised by an individual or a group of people to achieve an aim.
Coalition
An agreement between political parties to form a government.
Democracy
A system of government, where the citizens are able to vote in regular and fair elections for representatives, who will make laws and decisions on their behalf.
First past the post
The voting system used in the UK to elect members of some local councils and members of Parliament, whereby the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.
General Election
When the citizens of a country vote to elect a new government. A general election in the UK usually happens once every 5 years.
Referendum
A general vote by the electorate on a single issue which has been referred to them for a direct decision. It is a form of direct democracy
Representative Democracy
When the citizens of a country elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Trade unions
A group of workers in the same trade or profession who have joined together to protect their rights.
Voter apathy
When a lot of people decide not to vote in an election.
Develop the individual:
Students will develop an interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics.
Create a supportive community:
Students will develop an informed understanding of the influences and interests which have an impact on decisions in government and politics.
Term 3: How are important changes made in the UK?
Students will cover the process of legislation, including the role of the House of Lords and House of Commons, and how this interacts with the Prime Minister and Executive. Students will compare the powers of the legislature and executive, and will consider which is more powerful within our political system. Students will also explore the role of the judiciary in interpreting the law, alongside considering the importance of effective representation.
The Term 3 Assessment is a source-based paper with short questions.
British values
A set of standards which reflect the ideals of the British society.
Citizenship
Being a citizen of a country and being vested with the rights and responsibilities of that state.
Civil Service
Individuals who are employed by the Government
Equal opportunities
Allowing all people access to the same opportunities, regardless of their disability, religion, age, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.
Executive
The branch of the Government, which is responsible for putting laws or decisions into effect.
Government
The individuals who have been elected to run the state, led by the Prime Minister (PM) in the UK.
House of Commons
An elected body currently consisting of 650 members of Parliament. It is the lower house of Parliament and meets in the Palace of Westminster.
House of Lords
The upper house of Parliament, meeting in the Palace of Westminster. It comprises of life peers and hereditary peers, who scrutinise the bills approved by the House of Commons.
Judiciary
Branch of the state that is responsible for enforcing the law. It comprises Judges and other legal officials.
Justice
The fairness as a result of the application of a Law, usually by a judge, in society
Legislature
The law making body of the state ie the Parliament.
Monarchy
A form of government in which a king or queen reigns as the head of state. The UK is a constitutional monarchy.
Parliament
The institution of Government in the UK. It comprises of three parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch.
Prime Minister
The head of a government.
Develop the individual:
Students will develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes.
Create a supportive community:
Students will develop an interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics.
Term 4: What big ideas in politics have changed the world?
Students will explore three traditional (liberalism, conservatism, socialism) and three modern (feminism, multiculturalism, anarchism) political ideologies, examining their impact on historical events and cultural beliefs. Students will study these ideologies through key thinkers, examining the works of political theorists' key texts. Students will consider the merits and limitations of these ideologies, alongside gaining an understanding of the context in which they developed.
Knowledge Quiz
Hierarchy
The Conservative belief that society is naturally organised in fixed tiers, where one’s position is not based on individual ability.
Noblesse oblige
The duty of the wealthy and privileged to look after those less fortunate.
Human imperfection
The traditional conservative belief that humans are flawed in a number of ways which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves.
Formal equality
The idea that all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society.
Equality of opportunity
The idea that all individuals should have equal chances in life to rise and fall.
Limited government
The role of government is limited by checks and balances, and a separation of powers because of the corrupting nature of power.
Negative Freedom
The absence of external constraints in society as well as no interference in the private sphere.
Fraternity
The bonds of comradeship between human beings.
Communism
The communal organisation of social existence based on the common ownership of wealth.
Capitalism
An economic system, organised by the market, where goods are produced for profit and wealth is privately owned.
Autonomy
A form of self-government or legislation, a combination of freedom and responsibility, in which the individual is not subject to the will of the state or any other person.
Gender equality
The idea that society should treat everyone the same, irrespective of their gender.
Waves of feminism
Feminism has been described as going through certain time periods or waves where a particular theme has been at the core of the movement, and as one wave has raised the profile of a certain area feminism confronts other challenges in a fresh wave.
Intersectionality
An idea that challenged the notion that 'gender' was the singular factor in determining a woman's fate, arguing that black and working class women’s experiences of patriarchy are different from that of white, middle-class women.
Culture
Involves values, customs and beliefs that are passed on through the generations via learning.
Diversity
Different races and cultures within a state are possible, is positive and should be celebrated, although the extent to which diversity should extend is contentious.
Tolerance
From a multiculturalist view, tolerance is a willingness to accept values, customs and beliefs with which one disagrees.
Multicultural integration
The processes of integration
Assimilation
The processes affecting change and the relationship between social groups are one way, with minorities adopting the values, customs and beliefs of the majority.
Segregation
Multiculturalism has led to ethnic and religious groups becoming increasingly separated.
Positive discrimination
Preferential treatment for groups in society to correct structural inequality or compensate for historical wrongs.
Develop the individual:
Students will comprehend and interpret political information in relation to political ideas, identifying similarities and differences.
Create a supportive community:
Students will identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences between content studied, providing a basis for appreciating the UK’s position in global politics.
Term 5: How is politics different in the USA?
Students will explore the political systems of the USA, offering a comparison to the systems within the UK. Students will cover key content around the role of the US President, the importance of the Constitution, the process of elections and the ideologies of the Republican and Democrat parties. Furthermore, students will consider the political divisions within the USA today, and whether we are currently witnessing an exceptional moment in US politics, or whether the current climate follows a pattern.
Knowledge Quiz
Checks and balances
The division of power between the three branches of government where each branch has a direct ability to prevent action from another branch.
Constitution
A set of rules determining where sovereignty lies in a political system, and establishing the precise relationship between the government and the governed.
Entrenchment
A system by which the US Constitution is protected from change by law; in this case, by the Amendment Process of Article V.
Separation of powers
The three key bodies of government, legislature, executive and judiciary each have their own powers, personnel and buildings.
Domestic politics
Issues within the USA that directly concern citizens, e.g. healthcare, gun control, racial issues
Executive branch
The executive branch, headed by the president, is one of the three branches of government; the other two are the legislative branch (headed by Congress) and the judiciary (headed by the Supreme Court).
Constitutional rights
The rights specifically outlined for citizens within the US Constitution, Bill of Rights and subsequent Amendments.
Racial equality
Racial equality is an equal regard to all races. It can refer to a belief in biological equality of all human races and to social equality for people of different races.
Sovereignty
Absolute and unlimited power and authority.
Develop the individual:
Students will comprehend and interpret political information in relation to areas of US politics.
Create a supportive community:
Students will identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences between content studied, providing a basis for comparing the UK with the US.
Term 6: How does politics change around the world?
Students will explore global political contexts and systems through a case study-based unit of work. Students will consider strengths and weaknesses of differing systems, and the influences and contexts that have caused these differences. Students will cover Russia, Cuba, Ghana, Afghanistan, The Democratic Republic of Congo and India.
End of Year Exam.
A 50-minute paper with a variety of questions types covering key content from across the year.
Globalisation
Emergence of a complex web of interconnectedness in many forms.
Nation state
Autonomous political community held together by citizenship and nationality.
The United Nations
Organisation created in 1945, following the Second World War, to promote international co-operation and to prevent another such conflict.
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation – military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in 1949.
Human rights
Rights that people are entitled to by virtue of being human.
Universal human rights
Rights that apply to people of all societies regardless of cultural or other differences.
Superpower
State with a dominant position in international relations, pre-eminent among great powers, and characterised by its unparalleled ability to exert influence or project power on a global scale.
Democratic state
A state with a system of government in which all the people are involved in making decisions about its affairs.
Semi-democratic state
A stable state that combines democratic and authoritarian elements.
Non-democratic state
A state that lacks the central characteristics of a democratic state.
Autocratic state
A state that is ruled by a single person with unlimited power.
Develop the individual:
Students will understand and critically analyse, and evaluate areas of global politics.
Create a supportive community:
Students will identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences between the content studied, providing a basis for comparing contemporary global issues, such as conflict, poverty, human rights and the environment and how these are affected by