History Politics and Law Courses

History A Level Law A Level Politics A Level Applied Law BTEC Level 3

History, Politics and Law Courses Subject Descriptions

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History A Level When would the course start?

September 2018.

Unit 2: The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007.

For how long will I study?

For two years.

Part One. Britain 1951-1979: Post war boom, living standards and consumerism, social and cultural change; class, gender, race and youth, Northern Ireland, foreign affairs and decolonisation, the Sixties, Labour and Conservative goverments.

What is this course about?

The course looks at some important historical issues in breadth as well as in depth. It helps students to understand how the world has become what it is and our place in it. It develops students’ ability to think critically and reach conclusions based on evidence.

What topics will I study?

Unit 1: Tsarist and Bolshevik Russia, 1855-1964.

Part One. Russia 1855-1917: Tsarist Russia and Bolshevik Russia, 1855-1964, Autocracy, Reform and Revolution, Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II, 1905 Revolution, Industrialisation, 1917 Revolutions, Impact of World War I in Russia.

Part Two. Russia 1917-1964: The leadership of Lenin and Stalin, 1917-1953, the Soviet Union, Great Purges, Russia’s involvement in World War II, the rise and fall of Khrushchev, the condition of the Soviet Union by 1964.

Part Two. Britain 1979-2007: Impact of Thatcherism, protests in Northern Ireland, Falklands and the Cold War, society and social attitudes, The balkans, John Major, Tony Blair and New Labour, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Unit 3: The Causes of the US Civil War, 1776 - 1861 Coursework Unit: 3000-3500 words, using primary and secondary sources.

How will my work be assessed?

The course is assessed by two examinations which combine essay writing and evaluation of historical interpretations and evidence.

Students also complete coursework that contributes 20% of the total mark.

What skills and interests do I need beforehand to be a successful applicant for this course?

Although previous historical knowledge is helpful it is not essential. Students do not need to have studied History GCSE. An interest in current affairs and a willingness to read widely in a range of texts is desirable.

What skills will I need to develop during the course to succeed?

To succeed in History students will need to absorb a lot of quite complex information quickly and to write fluently and concisely.

Students will need to develop useful study skills including note-making and essay writing.

Students will also need to read, understand and evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources.

Are there any specific entry requirements?

You will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 or A*- C. Individual Level 3 subjects may have further entry requirements and these will be advised to you at your Course Guidance meeting once we receive your application.

What are the lessons like?

We use a range of teaching and learning methods: formal presentations by the teacher; discussions; group work; presentations;

independent research; e-learning.

We aim to take account of different learning styles and learner experiences.

1:1 support is available to all students.

What do students say about this course?

“A Level History not only widens career choices but develops analysis and communication skills and gives an understanding of present-day conditions.”

“A Level History is a breath of fresh air compared to other forms of history I’ve studied. The topics are both interesting and informative. There is never a dull moment.”

What have I got to do in order to do well?

• Keep up to date with your work and submit assignments on time.

• Read about each topic to deepen your understanding.

• Work to the best of your ability.

Is there a similar qualification to this one? If so how do I choose between them?

You could consider all the social science courses (Psychology; Sociology; Law; Government and Politics) but if you have a real interest in history, this is the one.

Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one?

Government & Politics, Law and English all work particularly well with History but it has been successfully combined with most A Levels offered at Worthing College.

What do people do with A Level History?

History is an important academic subject and an excellent preparation for higher education. It is particularly useful if you are considering higher education and a career in public service, law, media, education, and indeed, most professions.

Law A Level When would the course start?

September 2018.

Law making.

• Law making by Parliament, Europe and delegated legislation.

For how long will I study?

The course takes two years to complete the full A Level.

• Law making by the courts (judicial

What is this course about?

The qualification is designed to develop knowledge and skills for the further study of law, and related subjects, such as business.

The course will enable learners to know and understand the changing nature of law and the interaction between law, society, technology, morals and justice.

The law of tort.

• The rules of negligence and occupier’s liability.

• Public and private nuisance and the rule in Rylands v Fletcher.

• Defences including consent and contributory negligence.

• Calculation of damages, mitigation of loss and injunctions.

The nature of law.

• The difference between laws and other rules.

• Law and morality – the enforcement of moral values.

• The role of law in society and law as a social control mechanism.

• Law and technology – privacy, data protection and cross border issues.

The law of contract.

• Making contracts – offer and acceptance and consideration.

• Incorporation and classification of terms.

• Misrepresentation and economic duress.

• Ending a contract by performance, breach and frustration.

• Damages and remedies under the Consumer Protection Act 2015

What topics will I study?

The legal system.

• How cases progress through the civil and criminal courts and the role of different people in those courts.

• Funding legal help and alternative ways to get legal help.

Criminal law.

• The elements of a criminal offence (actus reus and mens rea).

• Fatal offences – murder and manslaughter.

• Non-fatal offences – different kinds of criminal assault.

• Offences against property – theft, burglary and robbery.

• Defences including insanity, selfdefence, automatism, intoxication, duress and consent.

• Criminal attempts.

precedent).

• The rules of statutory interpretation.

• Law reform bodies.

How will my work be assessed?

The assessment consists of three exams, two hours each: • Paper 1: The legal system (25%) and criminal law (75%) • Paper 2: Law making (25%) and the law of tort (75%) • Paper 3: The nature of law (25%) and the law of contract (75%)

What are the lessons like?

Students will experience a range of teaching activities on the course; there is a lot of class discussion and small group work to analyse materials and prepare answers to analytical questions.

Practical activities include participating in a mock trial, and mooting in the second year of the course.

What skills and interests do I need beforehand to be a successful applicant for this course?

Students do not need any knowledge of law in order to take this course; no-one takes the subject at school.

An interest in current affairs is an advantage.

The basic information for the course is provided so that the lessons are based on activities, not writing down lengthy notes.

What skills will I need to develop during the course to succeed?

Students will need to be able to write clearly and be prepared to develop a critical approach, asking why things are the way they are and how they could be better.

Students will also need to read, understand and evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources.

Are there any specific entry requirements?

You will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 or A*- C. Individual Level 3 subjects may have further entry requirements and these will be advised to you at your Course Guidance meeting once we receive your application.

1:1 support is available to all students.

What do students say about this course?

“It has helped me to decide that I want to go on to do a law degree and be a solicitor.”

“I like the arguments about legal topics like sentencing.”

“It helps you to understand the things that you see on the news.”

“It’s quite challenging but you get good handouts to help you learn.””

What have I got to do in order to do well?

• Keep up to date with your work and submit assignments on time.

• Read about each topic to deepen your understanding.

• Work to the best of your ability.

Is there a similar qualification to this one? If so how do I choose between them?

The BTEC Applied Law some of the same similar material but is assessed by both coursework and exams. Both the BTEC and the A level are suitable for progression to university degree courses.

Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one?

Law combines well with a range of other subjects including History, Government & Politics and English.

What do people do with A Level Law? Law is an academic subject and is suitable for entry into any higher education course that requires skills of evaluation and analysis. The subject matter combines well with business subjects and is often studied during business and accountancy degrees.

Law students have gone on to many universities to study law, including Cambridge. Former law students have become solicitors and work for both local firms in Worthing and large city firms in London.

Do students need to do A Level Law if they want to do a Law degree?

It is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage for going on to study a Law degree.

Around 25% of A Level Law students go on to study Law at university and they usually say it helps them in the first year. Universities are mostly interested in good grades and a genuine interest in the subject.

Politics A Level When would the course start?

September 2018.

For how long will I study?

Politics is a two year course for the full A Level qualification.

What is this course about?

In the first year students study UK Politics and UK Government. In the second year students will then develop this knowledge and understanding, and study USA Politics and USA Government.

This course aims to develop a critical understanding of government and politics in the UK and the USA. What topics will I study?

First year topics: How does the UK constitution work? What is democracy?

How do elections work, and why do people vote for certain parties? How does Parliament work, what does the Prime Minister actually do, and what does the government do? What role does the media play in elections? How can we influence politicians?

Second year topics: How does the US constitution work? How do you become President? What are the differences between Republicans and Democrats, and what does Congress do? How important is the Supreme Court and how powerful is the US President?

How will my work be assessed?

At the end of the A Level course there are three, two hour examinations.

Written answers are based on extended writing style answers What skills and interests do I need beforehand to be a successful applicant for this course?

No previous knowledge of UK or USA politics is required, however, an interest in current affairs and recent history is essential. Students will need to have opinions and be prepared to discuss them, be open to new ideas and capable of seeing issues from a range of viewpoints.

What skills will I need to develop during the course to succeed?

To succeed in Politics you will need to have an understanding of current affairs. You should then be able to use this understanding when studying topics. You will have to develop your level of subject knowledge and understanding, be capable of analysis and confident enough to evaluate and develop ideas.

Are there any specific entry requirements?

You will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 or A*- C. Individual Level 3 subjects may have further entry requirements and these will be advised to you at your Course

Guidance meeting once we receive your application.

What are the lessons like?

A range of teaching and learning styles is used during the course. Lessons tend to combine discussion, task-based learning and regular assessment.

Students will be expected to contribute to discussions.

1:1 support is available to all students.

Students also visit Houses of Parliament, and will take part in discussions with local MPs and other party representatives.

What do students say about this course? “ I enjoyed the course - Politics really fitted well with my other subjects - such as Law and History.”

“Politics has enabled me to see current affairs in a whole new light.”

“The assessments during the course were challenging, but really helped with the exam.”

“Really developed my interest for the 2017 elections, meeting MPs was a highlight” What have I got to do in order to do well?

• Keep up-to-date with current affairs.

• Complete tasks on time and to the best of your ability.

• Be prepared to share your views and consider the viewpoints of others.

Is there a similar qualification to this one? If so how do I choose between them?

You could consider Law or History, but if current affairs is of interest then Politics is probably a better choice.

Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one?

Politics combines particularly well with History and Law. However, it complements most subject combinations. All universities and employers look for young people who have an awareness of the world around them.

What do people do with A Level Politics?

Politics is a recognised academic subject and therefore is an excellent preparation for higher education in a number of areas including the humanities and the social sciences.

It is also an extremely useful background for those considering careers in the media, law and public services. Former students can be found broadcasting on radio and television, running large commercial companies, teaching, cartooning, working as barristers and solicitors and one is even Professor of Politics at St Andrews University.

None are yet MPs though some have stood in elections and several have been local councillors; one student works at Westminster, employed by a local MP.

Applied Law

BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Equivalent to 1 A Level)

When would the course start?

September 2018.

For how long will I study?

For two years.

What is this course about?

The course looks at the way the law works, how law is made and the people involved in the law. Students will also study several aspects of criminal law such as homicide, theft, burglary and robbery.

What topics will I study?

There are 4 units in this course: 1. Dispute Solving in Civil Law (Externally Assessed) This looks at the people involved in a court case and the way in which civil law cases are dealt with.

2. Criminal Law & the Legal System (Internally Assessed) This is about the way in which laws are made and deals with important questions like: “Who should make laws on things like euthanasia... the courts or parliament?”

3. Applying the Law (Externally Assessed) This unit is synoptic and draws upon previous units to discuss important questions concerning murder, manslaughter, theft, robbery burglary and criminal damage, amongst others 4. Family Law (Internally Assessed) This unit looks at the requirements of a valid marriage and what happens when that marriage breaks down – can the parties get an annulment or a divorce?

How will my work be assessed?

Externally assessed units will be examination based or set tasks. These are available twice a year. Internally assessed units will help you to build a portfolio of work.

Are there any specific entry requirements?

You will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 or A*- C. Individual Level 3 subjects may have further entry requirements and these will be advised to you at your Course Guidance meeting once we receive your application.

What skills and interests do I need beforehand to be a successful applicant for this course?

An interest in law is essential. An interest in current affairs is desirable so that you can give examples from real life to show how the law works.

What skills will I need to develop during the course to succeed?

In order to do well on this course students will need to: • Listen attentively - pay attention to the fine details of the subjects, essential for higher grades in law.

• Participate fully - in order to enjoy and get the most out of lessons.

• Seek and act on feedback - by learning to give and take regular peer assessment in class.

Is there a similar qualification to this one? If so how do I choose between them?

There is also AS/A Level Law. This is assessed by exams so suits people who are good at remembering a lot of facts and writing them down under the pressure of timed conditions.

The AS/A Level course is probably a better basis for going on to do a law degree as the skills you need to work on are similar to those at degree level.

The BTEC is better if students don’t produce their best in exams but have a real interest in law and possibly want a law related career such as the police or probation service.

What do students say about this course?

“The BTEC law course has helped me to understand different areas of law and will help me when I hope to apply to join the police force in a few years.”

“I like presenting my ideas in assignments instead of doing lots of exams; I think this suits my learning style much better.”

“Initially law was not my first choice, however it is now my favourite subject!”

Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one?

Law goes well with anything. People in business and all sorts of public service jobs all benefit from a background understanding of the law.

What do people do with Applied Law BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate?

This qualification provides a good foundation to move on to law related careers such as a legal secretary, or progression to the Institute of Legal Executives exams. It will also contribute to progression to higher education courses such as criminology or business studies.

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