Skills booklet unit 1 as g & p

Skills Required for AS Govt & Politics.

A booklet to enable you to understand and practice the skills needed when studying Unit 1 AS Government &

Politics

Contents

Exam board skills explained Pages 1-2

Assessment criteria for Unit 1 Page 3

Pt (a) questions : Demonstrating Knowledge and Understanding

Pages 4-7

Analysis and Evaluation Pages 8-11

Constructing arguments and explanation Pages 12-15

Self assessment Pages 16-17

Homework tasks Page 18-19

What skills does the exam board require you to demonstrate?

To be able to … political information

What do these terms mean? Require you to do?

Comprehend

Synthesise

Interpret

To be able to

Analyse

Evaluate

What skills does the exam board require you to demonstrate?

• Identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences.• This means / involves…

• Select and organise relevant material to construct arguments and explanations leading to reasoned conclusions.

• This means / involves…

• Communicate arguments and explanations with relevance , clarity and coherence, using appropriate political vocabulary.

• This means / involves…

Assessment Criteria For Unit 1

UNIT 1: Duration: 1 hour 20 mins

Answer 2 questions from a choice of 4.

Question Marks Assessment focus

a 5 Knowledge and Understanding (definition of / features)

b 10 Knowledge and Understanding / Analysis and evaluation of political information.(What are…Why do…Explain…)

c 25 Knowledge and Understanding / Analysis and Evaluation/ Being able to communicate and construct coherent arguments.(answering an essay style question – need to show up to date political awareness)

Demonstrating Knowledge and UnderstandingStructuring Pt (a) questions- Define

Give a relevant example to support

Explain clearly what is involved in the concept

Define

What is meant by power?

How to structure and answer pt (a) distinguish questions.

• 1: points of explanation for each concept being distinguished.

• 2.Example to support each aspect being distinguished.

• 3 Judgments on the main points of difference.

3

2

1

Distinguish between traditional authority and legal rational authority

Definition of a referendum

• A referendum (also known as a plebiscite or a ballot question) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of direct democracy.

• The question asked of voters in 2010 electoral reform referendum.

• Do you want the United Kingdom to adopt the 'alternative vote' system instead of the current 'first past the post' system for electing members of parliament to the House of Commons?"

Demonstrating Knowledge and UnderstandingStructuring Pt (a) questions- Outline (5 marks)

Give a relevant example to support

Explain clearly what is involved in each feature.

Outline the key features

Outline the key features of a referendum?

What do pt (b) (10 marks) questions require you to do?

• Provide a umber of examples to support the question.

• Analysis of each aspect of the question under consideration.

• Putting this into practice…

• Explain the workings of three electoral systems used in the UK.How should you approach this question?

Part (b) Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluating evidence and reaching judgements (10 marks)

Question: What are the main features of a representative democracy?.

Focus words

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Judgment against question focus.

Part (b) Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluating evidence and reaching judgements (10 marks)

Question: Explain the workings of the ‘First Past the Post’ electoral system.

Focus words

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Judgment against question focus.

Part (b) Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluating evidence and reaching judgements (10 marks)

Question: Why are interest groups and important part of British democracy?

Focus words

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Judgment against question focus.

Details/ key points

Explanation Evidence Analysis – how democratic – strengths / limitations?

Structure and operation of democracy?

Rights, responsibilities and freedoms.

Role of the government state.

Conclusion – An evaluation of the main points of debate. Link factors together. Make an overall judgment. VERY / PARTIALLY/ NOT VERY.

How democratic is the UK?How democratic is the UK?

Part ( c) : Constructing arguments and explanation (25 marks)

Forming a substantiated conclusion conclusion

A conclusion should be based on firm views ( not personal opinions) and directly respond to the type of question set.

How democratic is the UK?

VERY NOT VERY

Reasoning behind judgement….

PARTIALLY

Role of political parties

Details/ key points

Explanation Evidence Analysis – are they supporting or undermining democracy?

Government

Representation

Participation & mobilisation

Policy formation

Recruitment of leaders

Conclusion – An evaluation of the main points of debate. Link factors together. Make an overall judgment. NO / TO A CERTAIN EXTENT /YES.

Part ( c) : Constructing arguments and explanation (25 marks)

Are British political parties being undemocratic?

Structuring ain introduction to a part ( c) question

Outline your argument. Do you agree with the judgment? Yes /

No / Partly. Explain WHY this will for the basis of your

argument.

Write a conclusion based on the plan for your main.

Self assessment against exam board assessment objectives.

Assessment objective

Skills required My level of confidence

AO1 Recall, select and deploy knowledge.

AO2 Analysis and evaluate information

AO3 Communicate explanations and reach reasoned conclusions.

Setting personal targetsAssessment obi

What I need to do to progress in this skill area

AO1

AO2

AO3

Homework Task : Week 1pt (a) ( 5 marks)

Give a relevant example to support

Explain clearly what is involved in each feature.

Outline the key features

Outline the key features of democracy in the UK?

Look through this weeks newspapers and watch the news to come up with the features and contemporary examples.

Details/ key points

Explanation Evidence Analysis –can be regarded as a limitations?

Structure and operation of democracy?

Rights, responsibilities and freedoms.

Role of the government state.

Conclusion – An evaluation of the main points of debate. Link factors together. Make an overall judgment – what is the main limitation?

What are the limitations to the UK democratic system?

Homework Task : Week 2 pt ( c ) question (25 marks)