Monday 20 August 2018

Essential websites

Essential websites

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


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

Apps


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.

  • www.parliament.uk
  • https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mps/
  • https://www.spectator.co.uk/
  • https://www.economist.com/

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

Monday 9 July 2018

Year 12 Summer work 2018

Year 12 Summer work 2018







As a Politics student, you need to keep up to date with news and current affairs. Each week record at least one news article or report that has influenced UK Politics.


 


Date
News source
Summary of news
Impact on UK Politics
06.09.18
BBC news website
What happened?
Why?
This has meant that…


 


Image result for uk parliamentYour task is to investigate the three key questions below. There are a number of sub-questions to help focus your research. Produce notes in a format you prefer. For example, you could create a table or a mind map.


 


For “extra credit" produce the work into a format which would engage young people into the political process, for example as a blog, fully linked website, or a documentary film for you tube.


Your research will be checked in September. There will be a quiz based on the research questions.


 


Research questions:


  1. who runs the country?
  2. how does Parliament work?
  3. how is power shared between Westminster and the devolved administrations?
     


Who runs the country?


1. Parties and candidates


What are the key differences between the major political parties in the UK?


How are candidates are selected to stand for a constituency?


2. Elections and voting systems


What is democracy? What is the difference between representative democracy and direct democracy? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each type?


How does the Westminster-first-past-the-post system operate? Who can and cannot vote in general elections and why? Should the vote be changed? What is the frequency of general elections?


3. Forming and organising the work of government


How is a government formed? What is the role of the monarch? What happens when no single party can form a government and a coalition government is formed?


● How is government organised into departments and ministries? What are civil servants?

How does Parliament work?


4. The Westminster Parliament
What is the difference between the executive, legislature, judiciary and monarchy?


What are the roles of the Houses of Commons and Lords? What is the relationship between the House of Commons and the Lords? How does debate contribute to shaping policy and laws?


What are the roles of: the prime minister, cabinet and ministers, the opposition, speaker, whips, front bench and backbench MPs and the ceremonial role of Black Rod? What is the role of an MP in representing constituents’ interests?


5. Making and shaping law
How does a bill becomes law? What is debate in the House of Commons and the House of Lords? How do committees scrutinise? What is royal assent?


6. The Constitution


● What is an uncodified constitution? How has the constitution changed recently including as a result of devolution and membership of the EU?


What is parliamentary sovereignty? Explain checks and balances, including the role of judicial review. How does Parliament hold government to account through oversight and scrutiny?


 


How is power shared between Westminster and the devolved administrations?


7. Government in constituent parts of the UK


What are the powers of devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?


How are relations are changing between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including views on devolution and independence.



 

Thursday 7 June 2018

Textbook for UK Politics and Government

Textbook for UK Politics and Government






Edexcel UK Government and Politics for AS/A Level Fifth Edition by Neil McNaughton (ISBN 978-1471889318)