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GCSE CCEA GCSE Specification in Government and Politics For first teaching from September 2017 For first assessment in Summer 2018 For first award in Summer 2019 Subject Code: 4830 Version 2: 8 June 2017

CCEA GCSE Specification in Government and Politics...This specification is available online at CCEA GCSE Government and Politics from September 2017 Version 2: 8 June 2017 3 1 Introduction

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Page 1: CCEA GCSE Specification in Government and Politics...This specification is available online at CCEA GCSE Government and Politics from September 2017 Version 2: 8 June 2017 3 1 Introduction

GCSE

CCEA GCSE Specification in

Governmentand Politics

For first teaching from September 2017For first assessment in Summer 2018For first award in Summer 2019Subject Code: 4830

Version 2: 8 June 2017

Page 2: CCEA GCSE Specification in Government and Politics...This specification is available online at CCEA GCSE Government and Politics from September 2017 Version 2: 8 June 2017 3 1 Introduction
Page 3: CCEA GCSE Specification in Government and Politics...This specification is available online at CCEA GCSE Government and Politics from September 2017 Version 2: 8 June 2017 3 1 Introduction

Version2:8June2017

Contents 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Aims 41.2 Keyfeatures 41.3 Priorattainment 41.4 Classificationcodesandsubjectcombinations

4

2 Specification at a Glance

5

3 Subject Content 6 3.1 Unit1:DemocracyinAction 63.2 Unit2:InternationalPoliticsinAction

10

4 Scheme of Assessment 13 4.1 Assessmentopportunities 134.2 Assessmentobjectives 134.3 Assessmentobjectiveweightings 134.4 Qualityofwrittencommunication 144.5 Reportingandgrading

14

5 Grade Descriptions

15

6 Curriculum Objectives 16 6.1 Cross-CurricularSkillsatKeyStage4 166.2 ThinkingSkillsandPersonalCapabilitiesatKeyStage4

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7 Links and Support 19 7.1 Support 197.2 Examinationentries 197.3 Equalityandinclusion 197.4 Contactdetails 20 Summary of Changes Since First Issue 21

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SubjectCodeQAN

4830603/1180/0

ACCEAPublication©2017

Thisspecificationisavailableonlineatwww.ccea.org.uk

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1 Introduction ThisspecificationsetsoutthecontentandassessmentdetailsforourGCSEcourseinGovernmentandPolitics.Wehavedesignedthisspecificationtomeettherequirementsof:

• NorthernIrelandGCSEDesignPrinciples;and• NorthernIrelandGCEandGCSEQualificationsCriteria.FirstteachingisfromSeptember2017.WewillmakethefirstawardbasedonthisspecificationinSummer2019.Thisspecificationisaunitisedcourse.Theguidedlearninghours,asforallourGCSEs,are120hours.ThespecificationsupportstheaimoftheNorthernIrelandCurriculumtoempoweryoungpeopletoachievetheirpotentialandtomakeinformedandresponsibledecisionsthroughouttheirlives,aswellasitsobjectives:

• todeveloptheyoungpersonasanindividual;• todeveloptheyoungpersonasacontributortosociety;and• todeveloptheyoungpersonasacontributortotheeconomyandenvironment.Ifthereareanymajorchangestothisspecification,wewillnotifycentresinwriting.Theonlineversionofthespecificationwillalwaysbethemostuptodate;toviewanddownloadthispleasegotowww.ccea.org.uk

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1.1 Aims Thisspecificationaimstoencouragestudentsto:

• developalifelonginterestingovernmentandpolitics;• formtheirownbeliefsaboutpoliticalissuesandeventsandengagewithasubjectthataffectsusallonaday-to-daybasis;

• considerimportantpoliticalconceptssuchaspower,authority,accountability,whohaspowerandhowitisexercised;

• thinkcriticallyaboutthepoliticalsystemsinwhichtheyliveandhowtheymightparticipateinthosesystems;and

• developaseffectiveandindependentlearnersabletoanalyseandcriticallyevaluatearangeofdifferingviewpoints.

1.2 Key features Thefollowingareimportantfeaturesofthisspecification.

• ItoffersopportunitiestobuildontheskillsandcapabilitiesdevelopedthroughthedeliveryoftheNorthernIrelandCurriculumatKeyStage3.

• Itisanengagingandhighlyrelevantspecificationthatenhancesstudents’understandingofpoliticalissuesandtheimpactofpoliticsontheireverydaylives.

• Itdevelopsstudents’knowledgeandunderstandingoflocal,nationalandinternationalpoliticsandprovidesasecurefoundationforthosewhowishtogoontostudyGovernmentandPoliticsatGCElevel.

• ItpromotesskillsthatprovideabasisforprogressionnotonlytoGCElevelstudybutalsodirectlyintoemployment,highereducationorvocationaltraining.

• Itisaunitisedspecificationwhichgivesteachersandstudentsflexibilityandchoice.

• Assessmentisthroughtwoexternallysetexaminations.Botharestructuredandincludeshortrecall,sourcebasedandevaluativequestions.

1.3 Prior attainment Studentsdonotneedtohavereachedaparticularlevelofattainmentbeforebeginningtostudythisspecification.1.4 Classification codes and subject combinations Everyspecificationhasanationalclassificationcodethatindicatesitssubjectarea.Theclassificationcodeforthisqualificationis4830.Pleasenotethatifastudenttakestwoqualificationswiththesameclassificationcode,schools,collegesanduniversitiesthattheyapplytomaytaketheviewthattheyhaveachievedonlyoneofthetwoGCSEs.ThesamemayoccurwithanytwoGCSEqualificationsthathaveasignificantoverlapincontent,eveniftheclassificationcodesaredifferent.Becauseofthis,studentswhohaveanydoubtsabouttheirsubjectcombinationsshouldcheckwiththeschools,collegesanduniversitiesthattheywouldliketoattendbeforebeginningtheirstudies.

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2 Specification at a Glance ThetablebelowsummarisesthestructureofthisGCSEcourse.

Studentsmusttakeatleast40percentoftheassessment(basedonunitweightings)attheendofthecourseasterminalassessment.

Content

Assessment

Weightings

Availability

Unit1:DemocracyinAction

ExternalwrittenexaminationOnetierofentry1hour30minsTherearethreesections:

• SectionAincludesquestionsthatrequireshortanswers,recallanddefinitions.

• SectionBincludesquestionsonsourcematerial.

• SectionCincludesextended,evaluativequestions.

50%

Summerfrom2018

Unit2:InternationalPoliticsinAction

ExternalwrittenexaminationOnetierofentry1hour30minsTherearethreesections:

• SectionAincludesquestionsthatrequireshortanswers,recallanddefinitions.

• SectionBincludesquestionsonsourcematerial.

• SectionCincludesextended,evaluativequestions.

50% Summerfrom2019

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3 Subject Content Wehavedividedthiscourseintotwounits.Thissectionsetsoutthecontentandelaborationforeachunit.Thefollowingassessmentobjectivesaregenericandsetouttheskillsstudentsdevelopusingthecontentbelowasthecontext.Studentsshouldbeableto:

• demonstrateknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalconcepts,institutions,processes,termsandissues(AO1);

• applyknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalinformationtocontextsandactions(AO2);and

• analyseandevaluatearangeofevidence,includingdifferingviewpoints,relatingtopoliticalissues,debatesandactionstoconstructreasonedargumentsandmakesubstantiatedjudgements(AO3).

3.1 Unit 1: Democracy in Action Inthisunit,studentsgainanawarenessofthebasicconceptsrelatedtopoliticalparticipation:theimportanceofelectionsinademocracyandthedifferentwaysinwhichyoungpeoplecanmaketheirvoicesheard.Theunitseekstoenhancestudents’understandingofdecision-makingandtheroleofpoliticalpartiesandpressuregroupsinademocracy.Studentsexploredifferentviewsonissuessuchaseducation,theeconomyandimmigration,aswellasconsideringtheroleofthemediainreportingpoliticaleventsandinfluencingpublicopinion.Thisunitallowsstudentstoappreciatetheimportanceofpoliticalparticipationandhowpoliticalparticipationmaytakedifferentforms.

Content

ElaborationofContent

Politicalideasandconcepts

• Theideasofpower,authorityandaccountability:- whyweneedrules- whomakesthem- whythismatters

• Thekeyfeaturesofademocracy,including:- freeandfairelections- protectionofrights- separationofpowers- freedomofthepress

• Thekeyfeaturesofadictatorship,including:- rulebyonepersonorparty- lackoffreeandfairelections- absenceofrights- coercion

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Content

ElaborationofContent

Decision-makinginademocracy

• Differentlayersofgovernment,theirelectedrepresentativesandareasofresponsibility:- localcouncils- NorthernIrelandAssembly- theUKParliament- theEuropeanParliament

• Therepresentative,legislativeandscrutinyroleofMembersofParliament(MPs)andMembersoftheLegislativeAssembly(MLAs),including:- geographicalrepresentation- voting- PrivateMembers’Bills- theroleoftheopposition- QuestionTime- committees

Electionsandvotinginademocracy

• Thepurposeofelectionsinademocraticsystem• HowMLAsandMPsinNorthernIrelandareelected,andtheprosandconsofeachoftheseelectoralsystems

• Referenda,includingreasonsfortheiruse,advantagesanddisadvantages

• Votingtrends:- reasonsforlowvoterturnout- theyouthvote

• Optionsavailabletoincreasepoliticalparticipationthroughvotingandtheiradvantagesanddisadvantages,including:- loweringthevotingage- compulsoryvoting

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Content

ElaborationofContent

Politicalpartiesinademocracy

• Thepurposeofpoliticalpartiesinademocracyandwhetherpoliticalpartiescontributetodemocracy

• Traditionalleftandrightwingviewsonthemajorissuesof:- theeconomy- education- theenvironment- immigration

• ThepoliciesofBritishparties–includingsimilaritiesanddifferences–onthemajorissuesof:- theeconomy- education- theenvironment- immigration

• ThepoliciesofthefivelargestpoliticalpartiesinNorthernIreland–includingsimilaritiesanddifferences–onthemajorissuesof:- theeconomy- education- theenvironment- immigration

Politicalinformationinademocracy

• Differenttypesofmediaincontemporarysociety,including:- television- print- e-media- radio- socialmedia

• Rightsandresponsibilitiesofthemediainademocraticsociety:- freedomofthepress- accuratereporting- informingandinfluencingpublicopinion- holdingthoseinpowertoaccount- respectingpeople’sprivacyanddignity

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Content

ElaborationofContent

Politicalinformationinademocracy(cont.)

• Thepowerofdifferenttypesofmediaincontemporarysociety,including:- theimpactofownershiponcontent- theinfluenceofthemediaonadailybasisandduringelectioncampaigns

• Howpoliticiansusethemediaforpoliticalmessaging• Argumentsforandagainstgreaterstatecontrolofmediaactions,including:- thefindingsoftheLevesonInquiry- mediasuccessinholdingthoseinpowertoaccount

Takingactioninademocracy

• Therangeofactionsanindividualcitizencantaketoachievetheiraimsandholdthepowerfulinsocietytoaccount:- petitioning- demonstrating- voting- joiningapressuregroup- joiningapoliticalparty

• Differenttypesofpressuregroups,theiraimsandcampaigns:- cause- sectional- insider- outsider

• Tacticsusedbydifferentpressuregroupstotrytoachievetheiraimsandwhythesevary,including:- natureofcause- relationshipwithgovernment- membershipbase

• Theeffectivenessoftacticsusedbypressuregroups

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3.2 Unit 2: International Politics in Action Inthisunit,studentsgainanawarenessofthechallengesposedbyanincreasinglyinterdependentworld.Theunitallowsstudentstoexploreavarietyoforganisationsthatoperateonaglobalscaleandhowtheyrespondtoimportantglobalissuessuchasconflictresolutionandmigration.Studentsconsiderthelocalandnationalresponseofgovernments,individualsandgroupstopoliticalissuesandevaluatetheeffectivenessoftheiractions.

Content

ElaborationofContent

Interdependence

• Whycountriesareincreasinglyinterdependentandissuesthatmightrequireinternationalco-operation:- globalisation- technologicaldevelopments- trade- conflict- internationalterrorism- environmentalissues

TheEuropeanUnion

• TheoriginsandaimsoftheEuropeanUnion(EU),including:- politicalunion- singlemarket- freedomofmovement

• TheUKreferendumonmembershipoftheEU,23June2016• ArgumentsforandagainstmembershipoftheEU

Conflictanditsresolution

• Factorsthatcauseconflictwithinandbetweencountries:- cultural,moralandreligiousdifferences- economicandtradefactors- desireforsecurity- desireforindependence- leaders’questforpopularity

• TheUnitedNations(UN)SecurityCouncil:- itsoriginsandaims- itsdecision-makingprocess,includingtherighttoveto

• TheroleoftheUKintheUN:- whyitisamember- theroleitplaysontheUNSecurityCouncil

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Content

ElaborationofContent

Conflictanditsresolution(cont.)

• DifferentwaysinwhichtheUNSecurityCouncilattemptstoestablishandmaintainpeaceandsecurity,including:- mediation- sanctions- peacekeepingmissions- useofforce

• TheeffectivenessoftheUNSecurityCouncilinresolvingconflict(apossibleexampleofsuccesswouldbeSierraLeoneandapossibleexampleoffailurewouldbeRwanda)

• TheoriginsandaimsoftheNorthAtlanticTreatyOrganization(NATO),includingArticle5–collectivedefence

• TheroleoftheUKinNATO,including:- theNorthAtlanticCouncil- theMilitaryCommittee

• NATOactionstomanageconflict,including:- militarymeasures- non-militarymeasures

• TheeffectivenessofNATOinmanagingconflict(apossibleexampleofsuccesswouldbeKosovoandapossibleexampleoffailurewouldbeAfghanistan)

Conflictresolutioninpractice–NorthernIreland

• TheGoodFridayAgreement’sprovisionsforsecuringpeaceinNorthernIreland,including:- powersharingandconsociationalism- decommissioning- earlyreleaseofprisoners- reformofpolicing

• ThekeyprovisionsofsubsequentagreementstomaintainpeaceinNorthernIreland,including:- theStAndrewsAgreement- theHillsboroughCastleAgreement- theStormontHouseAgreement

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Content

ElaborationofContent

Conflictresolutioninpractice–NorthernIreland(cont.)

• TheroleoftheEqualityCommissionforNorthernIrelandandtheNorthernIrelandHumanRightsCommissioninsafeguardingtherightsofNorthernIreland’scitizens

• OngoingchallengestopeaceinNorthernIreland,including:- dealingwiththelegacyofthepast- otherdivisiveissuessuchasflagsandparades

Migration

• Differentcausesofmigration,includingpushandpullfactors:- war,povertyandhumanrightsabuses- socialandeconomicreasons

• Differencesbetweenthefollowinggroups:- refugees- asylumseekers- internallydisplacedpeople- economicmigrants

• Thelegalprotectionsofferedtomigrants,including:- theEuropeanConventiononHumanRights- theHumanRightsAct1998

• TheworkofUNHCR,theUNRefugeeAgency,inattemptingtohelprefugees,includingaims,methodsandcurrentoperations

• Economicandsocialbenefitsofmigration,including:- taxrevenue- fillingtheskillsgap- culturaldiversity

• TheUKgovernmentresponsetoincreasedmigration,includingtheImmigrationAct2016

• Effortstosupportandprotecttherightsofmigrants(withatleastonelocal,onenationalandoneinternationalexample)bygroups,charitiesand/ornon-governmentalorganisations(NGOs)

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4 Scheme of Assessment 4.1 Assessment opportunities Fortheavailabilityofexaminationsandassessment,seeSection2.Thisisaunitisedspecification;candidatesmustcompleteatleast40percentoftheoverallassessmentrequirementsattheendofthecourse,intheexaminationseriesinwhichtheyrequestafinalsubjectgrade.Thisistheterminalrule.Candidatesmayresitindividualassessmentunitsoncebeforecash-in.ThebetterofthetworesultswillcounttowardstheirfinalGCSEgradeunlessaunitisrequiredtomeetthe40percentterminalrule.Ifitis,themorerecentmarkwillcount(whetherornotitisthebetterresult).ResultsforindividualassessmentunitsremainavailabletocounttowardsaGCSEqualificationuntilwewithdrawthespecification.4.2 Assessment objectives Therearethreeassessmentobjectivesforthisspecification.Candidatesmust:

AO1 demonstrateknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalconcepts,institutions,processes,termsandissues;

AO2 applyknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalinformationtocontextsandactions;and

AO3 analyseandevaluatearangeofevidence,includingdifferingviewpoints,relatingtopoliticalissues,debatesandactionstoconstructreasonedargumentsandmakesubstantiatedjudgements.

4.3 Assessment objective weightings ThetablebelowsetsouttheassessmentobjectiveweightingsforeachassessmentcomponentandtheoverallGCSEqualification.

AssessmentObjective

UnitWeighting(%) OverallWeighting(%)

ExternalAssessment

Unit1 Unit2

AO1 16 16 32

AO2 16.5 16.5 33

AO3 17.5 17.5 35

TotalWeighting 50 50 100

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4.4 Quality of written communication InGCSEGovernmentandPolitics,candidatesmustdemonstratetheirqualityofwrittencommunication.Theyneedto:

• ensurethattextislegibleandthatspelling,punctuationandgrammarareaccuratesothatmeaningisclear;

• selectanduseaformandstyleofwritingthatsuittheirpurposeandcomplexsubjectmatter;and

• organiseinformationclearlyandcoherently,usingspecialistvocabularywhereappropriate.

Qualityofwrittencommunicationisassessedinresponsestoquestionsandtasksthatrequireextendedwriting.4.5 Reporting and grading Wereporttheresultsofindividualassessmentunitsonauniformmarkscalethatreflectstheassessmentweightingofeachunit.Wedeterminethegradesawardedbyaggregatingtheuniformmarksthatcandidatesobtaininindividualassessmentunits.WeawardGCSEqualificationsonagradescalefromA*toG,withA*beingthehighest.Theninegradesavailableareasfollows:

Grade A* A B C* C D E F GIfcandidatesfailtoattainagradeGorabove,wereporttheirresultasunclassified(U).

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5 Grade Descriptions Gradedescriptionsareprovidedtogiveageneralindicationofthestandardsofachievementlikelytohavebeenshownbycandidatesawardedparticulargrades.Thedescriptionsmustbeinterpretedinrelationtothecontentinthespecification;theyarenotdesignedtodefinethatcontent.Thegradeawardeddependsinpracticeupontheextenttowhichthecandidatehasmettheassessmentobjectivesoverall.Shortcomingsinsomeaspectsofcandidates’performanceintheassessmentmaybebalancedbybetterperformancesinothers.

Grade

Description

A ForAO1,candidatescharacteristicallyrecall,selectanduseknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalconcepts,institutions,processes,termsandissuespreciselyandeffectively.ForAO2,candidatescharacteristicallydemonstrateknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalinformationthroughreasonedandwellsubstantiatedexplanations.ForAO3,candidatescharacteristicallyprovideevaluationthatdisplaysasoundawarenessofdifferingviewpointsandaclearrecognitionofissues.Theyconstructreasonedargumentsandmakesubstantiatedjudgements.

C ForAO1,candidatescharacteristicallyrecall,selectanduseknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalconcepts,institutions,processes,termsandissueswithaccuracyandrelevance.ForAO2,candidatescharacteristicallydemonstrateknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalinformationthroughstructureddescriptionsandexplanations.ForAO3,candidatescharacteristicallyprovideevaluationthatdisplayssomeawarenessofdifferingviewpointsandrecognitionofissues.Theyconstructvalidargumentswithappropriatesupport.

F ForAO1,candidatescharacteristicallyrecall,selectanduselimitedknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalconcepts,institutions,processes,termsandissues.ForAO2,candidatescharacteristicallydemonstratelimitedknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalinformation,providingnarrowdescriptionsinsteadofexplanations.ForAO3,candidatescharacteristicallyshowsomebasicawarenessofdifferingviewpoints.Theyattemptasimpleevaluationwithlimitedsupport.

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6 Curriculum Objectives ThisspecificationbuildsonthelearningexperiencesfromKeyStage3asrequiredforthestatutoryNorthernIrelandCurriculum.ItalsooffersopportunitiesforstudentstocontributetotheaimandobjectivesoftheCurriculumatKeyStage4,andtocontinuetodeveloptheCross-CurricularSkillsandtheThinkingSkillsandPersonalCapabilities.Theextentofthedevelopmentoftheseskillsandcapabilitieswillbedependentontheteachingandlearningmethodologyused. 6.1 Cross-Curricular Skills at Key Stage 4

Communication

Studentsshouldbeableto:

• communicatemeaning,feelingsandviewpointsinalogicalandcoherentmanner,forexampleexploringtheideasofpower,authorityandaccountabilityandexplainingwhyweneedrules,whomakesthemandwhythismatters;

• participateindiscussions,debatesandinterviews,forexampleaclassdiscussionontheeffectivenessoftheUNSecurityCouncilinresolvingconflict;

• interpret,analyseandpresentinformationinoral,writtenandICTformats,forexampleanalysingdifferentviewpointsaboutthesuccess(orotherwise)ofNATOinconflictresolutionandpresentingthesefindingsintheformofaclassdebate,anessayoraPowerPointpresentation;and

• exploreandrespond,bothimaginativelyandcritically,toavarietyoftexts,forexampleanalysingthedifferentopinionsaboutpoliticalissuespresentedindifferentformsofmedia(whichmayincludeprint,broadcastande-media)tocriticallyevaluatetheseviewpoints.

UsingMathematics

Studentsshouldbeableto:

• usementalcomputationtocalculate,estimateandmakepredictionsinarangeofsimulatedandreal-lifecontexts,forexampleexploringthefeaturesofdifferentelectoralsystems(firstpastthepostandthesingletransferablevote)topredictthedifferenttypesofgovernmentsformedasaresultofusingthesesystems;and

• interpretandanalyseawiderangeofmathematicaldata,forexamplelookingatelectionstatisticstocompareandcontrastthevoterturnoutfiguresfordifferentagegroupsandsuggestingreasonsforthedifferences.

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UsingICT

Studentsshouldbeabletomakeeffectiveuseofinformationandcommunicationstechnologyinawiderangeofcontextstoaccess,manage,selectandpresentinformation,includingmathematicalinformation,forexample:

• usingsocialmediatoselectandpresentinformationornewsstoriesaboutpoliticalissuesandevents;

• exploringattemptsatconflictresolutionbytheUNandNATOindifferentcountriesthrougharchiveimages,news,audioandvideomaterials;and

• usingICTtopresentinformationbothinclassandonline.

6.2 Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities at Key Stage 4

Self-Management

Studentsshouldbeableto:

• monitor,reviewandevaluatetheirprogressandimprovetheirlearning,forexampleconsideringtheirperformanceinassessmenttasksandconsultingmarkschemesandteacherfeedbacktosetpurposefultargetsthatallowforanimprovementinfutureassessment;and

• effectivelymanagetheirtime,forexamplecompletingsettaskswithingiventimeframesanddesigningatimetableforendoftopicreviewtests.

WorkingwithOthers

Studentsshouldbeableto:

• learnwithandfromothersthroughco-operation,forexamplediscussingtheirdifferentopinionsabouttheongoingchallengestopeaceinNorthernIreland;and

• listenactivelytoothersandinfluencegroupthinkinganddecision-making,takingaccountofothers’opinions,forexampleworkingingroupstoconsiderthepolicydifferencesofBritishpartiesonthemajorissuesofeducation,theeconomyandtheenvironment.

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ProblemSolving

Studentsshouldbeableto:

• identifyandanalyserelationshipsandpatterns,forexampletherelationshipbetweenpoliticiansandthemediaandwhetherthemediaissuccessfulinholdingthoseinpowertoaccount;

• proposejustifiedexplanations,forexampleexplainingwhycitizensaremorelikelytoparticipateinpressuregroupsthaninpoliticalparties;

• reason,formopinionsandjustifytheirviews,forexampleformulatingtheirownviewsonkeypoliticalissuessuchastheneedforreferendainademocracyandprovidingreasonedargumentsagainstorinsupportofvariouspoliticalstatements;

• analysecriticallyandassessevidencetounderstandhowinformationorevidencecanbeusedtoservedifferentpurposesoragendas,forexampleconsideringhowmediareportingofpoliticalissuesandelectioncampaignsisinfluencedbyownershipandhowthisimpactsonpublicopinion;

• analyseandevaluatemultipleperspectives,forexampleexploringthepolicydifferencesofavarietyofpoliticalpartiesonissuessuchaseducation,immigrationandtheenvironment;

• exploreunfamiliarviewswithoutprejudice,forexampleexploringthekeyfeaturesofadictatorshipandconsideringhowtheydifferfromthoseofademocraticsystem;and

• weighupoptionsandjustifydecisions,forexampleconsideringtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofthedifferentoptionsavailabletoincreasepoliticalparticipationthroughvoting.

AlthoughnotreferredtoseparatelyasastatutoryrequirementatKeyStage4intheNorthernIrelandCurriculum,ManagingInformationandBeingCreativemayalsoremainrelevanttolearning.

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7 Links and Support 7.1 Support Thefollowingresourcesareavailabletosupportthisspecification:

• ourGovernmentandPoliticsmicrositeatwww.ccea.org.ukand• specimenassessmentmaterials.Wealsointendtoprovide:

• pastpapers;• markschemes;• ChiefExaminer’sreports;• planningframeworks;• centresupportvisits;• supportdaysforteachers;and• exemplificationofexaminationperformance.

7.2 Examination entries EntrycodesforthissubjectanddetailsonhowtomakeentriesareavailableonourQualificationsAdministrationHandbookmicrosite,whichyoucanaccessatwww.ccea.org.ukAlternatively,youcantelephoneourExaminationEntries,ResultsandCertificationteamusingthecontactdetailsprovided.7.3 Equality and inclusion Wehaveconsideredtherequirementsofequalitylegislationindevelopingthisspecificationanddesignedittobeasfreeaspossiblefromethnic,gender,religious,politicalandotherformsofbias.GCSEqualificationsoftenrequiretheassessmentofabroadrangeofcompetences.Thisisbecausetheyaregeneralqualificationsthatpreparestudentsforawiderangeofoccupationsandhigherlevelcourses.Duringthedevelopmentprocess,anexternalequalitypanelreviewedthespecificationtoidentifyanypotentialbarrierstoequalityandinclusion.Whereappropriate,wehaveconsideredmeasurestosupportaccessandmitigatebarriers.Wecanmakereasonableadjustmentsforstudentswithdisabilitiestoreducebarrierstoaccessingassessments.Forthisreason,veryfewstudentswillhaveacompletebarriertoanypartoftheassessment.Itisimportanttonotethatwhereaccessarrangementsarepermitted,theymustnotbeusedinanywaythatunderminestheintegrityoftheassessment.YoucanfindinformationonreasonableadjustmentsintheJointCouncilforQualificationsdocumentAccessArrangementsandReasonableAdjustments,availableatwww.jcq.org.uk

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7.4 Contact details Ifyouhaveanyqueriesaboutthisspecification,pleasecontacttherelevantCCEAstaffmemberordepartment:

• SpecificationSupportOfficer:ArleneAshfield(telephone:(028)90261200,extension2291,email:[email protected])

• SubjectOfficer:DorotheeWagner(telephone:(028)90261200,extension2218,email:[email protected])

• ExaminationEntries,ResultsandCertification

(telephone:(028)90261262,email:[email protected])• ExaminerRecruitment

(telephone:(028)90261243,email:[email protected])• Distribution

(telephone:(028)90261242,email:[email protected])• SupportEventsAdministration

(telephone:(028)90261401,email:[email protected])• Moderation

(telephone:(028)90261200,extension2236,email:[email protected])• BusinessAssurance(ComplaintsandAppeals)

(telephone:(028)90261244,email:[email protected]@ccea.org.uk).

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Summary of Changes since First Issue (Mostrecentchangesareindicatedinredonthelatestversion)

RevisionHistoryNumber

DateofChange PageNumber ChangeMade

Version1 N/A N/A FirstissueVersion2 8June2017 10

20WordingchangedSubjectOfficeradded

Page 24: CCEA GCSE Specification in Government and Politics...This specification is available online at CCEA GCSE Government and Politics from September 2017 Version 2: 8 June 2017 3 1 Introduction
Page 25: CCEA GCSE Specification in Government and Politics...This specification is available online at CCEA GCSE Government and Politics from September 2017 Version 2: 8 June 2017 3 1 Introduction

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