Click through the sides above to see all of the topics that are covered in this course.

Politics makes a distinctive contribution to the curriculum through its study of important political concepts and ideologies, the comparison of different political systems, and the evaluation of factors that impact on the electoral performance of political parties.

Candidates develop knowledge and understanding of key political concepts. The theoretical perspective of the course enables candidates to identify, explore and analyse political issues in order to develop their own views and perspectives. Candidates develop analysing and evaluating skills during the course which help them to interpret and understand political issues.

Candidates develop:

• knowledge and understanding of:

— significant political concepts and ideologies

— political systems through comparative study

— political parties and elections

• the ability to analyse and evaluate political ideas, events, issues, systems, parties and electoral performance
• a range of research, data-handling and evaluating skills.

If you going to sit the final examination you will be expected to answer questions in two separate question papers:

Paper 1: 

This question paper has three sections: Political theory, Political systems, and Political parties and elections. Candidates demonstrate the application of skills and breadth of knowledge and understanding from across the three sections of the course. 

There are two 20 mark extended response questions to and one 12 mark extended response question to answer. The 12 and 20 mark questions may appear in any section of the paper.

Paper 2:

This question paper has a total mark allocation of 28 marks. This is 26% of the overall marks

for the course assessment.

This question paper enables candidates to demonstrate the following skills:

• comparing information about political theories, systems and parties
• interpreting, evaluating and synthesising a wide range of electoral data

In this question paper, candidates answer two source-based, information-handling skills questions. One question is worth 8 marks and consists of two sources, and one question is worth 20 marks and consists of up to seven sources. Sources may be written, numerical, graphical or pictorial.