Wednesday 8 August 2018

Essential websites

Essential websites

Edexcel exam board website for specimen papers, specification and course updates.

Prechewed politics for resources


Politics is ever changing and you need to keep up to date with your real life examples.


Apps


  • Download the Sky News app and select 'USA' to track developments.
  • Quizlet.


News websites

Use these web sites for breaking news and current affairs.



Reference websites

These links are for facts and study notes on key concepts.



Tuesday 7 August 2018

A level Politics: USA component 3 exam structure



A Level Politics- how will we be assessed?

Examinations- June 2019



Component 3 - 33% of overall qualification - 84 marks
2 hour exam

Section A 
One 12-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1 and AO2. 

Section B 
One compulsory 12-mark question focused on comparative theories, which assesses AO1 and AO2. 

Section C 
Two 30-mark questions from a choice of three, which assess AO1, AO2 and AO3

Monday 6 August 2018

Quizlet

Quizlet


Recent research suggests that self-quizzing or testing is the most effective way to revise.

Use this website every week.

Here is the link to our 'virtual classroom' where I have selected the most appropriate cue card sets.

Image result for quizlet images

Mark scheme

Mark scheme

12 mark questions


30 mark questions




USA Politics course content

USA Politics course content

From Edexcel specification 


Overview 


The USA has been considered by some to be a ‘beacon of democracy’. As a world power, understanding the nature of US democracy, and the debates surrounding it, is crucial given the considerable impact that the USA has on UK, European and global politics. 

Students will explore the US Constitution and the arguments surrounding this guiding document of US democracy. In learning about the key institutions of government in the USA and analysing the manner in which they achieve this power and exercise it over their citizens, students will judge ultimately whether ‘liberty and justice for all’ has been achieved in the USA. Students will be expected to highlight the debates on the nature of democracy in the USA and evaluate the extent to which it remains an issue. 

The impact of the US government on the world beyond its borders is increasingly a feature of international politics. Students will begin to engage with this interaction by comparing and contrasting politics and institutions in the US with those in the UK. This will develop a wider understanding of politics as a discipline, underpinned by the theoretical concepts of comparative politics. 

Content 

There are six content areas: 
1. The US Constitution and federalism 
2. US Congress 
3. US presidency 
4. US Supreme Court and US civil rights 
5. US democracy and participation 
6. Comparative theories. 


Skills 

• Students must comprehend and interpret political information in relation to areas of US politics. 
• Students must fully understand and critically analyse and evaluate areas of US politics. 
• Students must identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences between content studied, providing a basis for comparing the UK with the US. 
• Students must construct and communicate arguments and explanations with relevance, clarity and coherence and draw reasoned conclusions about US politics. 
• Students must develop knowledge and understanding of key political concepts. The content supports these skills by presenting the main content for learning in the righthand side of the content tables. 
• Students must use appropriate vocabulary. The content supports this skill by listing key terminology in each content area. The lists are to support teaching of the main content and help students to use appropriate vocabulary in assessment. Students should, therefore, familiarise themselves with the definitions of key terminology for each section, please also see Appendix 2: Key terminology glossary

Saturday 4 August 2018

Essential books

Essential books


Core textbook

US Government and Politics for A-level Fifth Edition


Every student must have this book in September.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/US-Government-Politics-level-Fifth/dp/147188936X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534757690&sr=8-1&keywords=bennett+politics+usa

Useful books


US Government & Politics Annual Update 2017

This guide provides up to date statistics and information including the 2016 Presidential election.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Government-Politics-Annual-Update-2017/dp/147186801X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496130487&sr=8-1&keywords=government+and+politics+usa



Friday 29 June 2018

Supreme Court

Supreme Court



There has been lots of changes with the highest court of the land in the USA. This will have serious impact on the Trump presidency and ideology of the USA.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38707720
Why is the Supreme Court so important?


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44638092
Kennedy resigns from SC


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-44649458/us-supreme-court-vacancy-liberal-fear-and-conservative-joy
Video on fears on Trump nominee


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44619976
Ruling on Trump travel ban