1. 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

2. Contents Page 18-19 Homework tasks Pages 16-17 Self assessment Pages 12-15 Constructing arguments and explanation Pages 8-11 Analysis and Evaluation Pages 4-7 Pt (a) questions : Demonstrating Knowledge and Understanding Page 3 Assessment criteria for Unit 1 Pages 1-2 Exam board skills explained

3. What skills does the exam board require you to demonstrate? Evaluate Analyse To be able to Interpret Synthesise Comprehend What do these terms mean? Require you to do? To be able to … political information

5. Assessment Criteria For Unit 1 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) 25 c Knowledge and Understanding / Analysis and evaluation of political information. (What are…Why do…Explain…) 10 b Knowledge and Understanding (definition of / features) 5 a Assessment focus Marks Question Answer 2 questions from a choice of 4. UNIT 1: Duration: 1 hour 20 mins

6. Demonstrating Knowledge and Understanding Structuring Pt (a) questions- Define What is meant by power? Give a relevant example to support Explain clearly what is involved in the concept Define

9. Demonstrating Knowledge and Understanding Structuring Pt (a) questions- Outline (5 marks) Outline the key features of a referendum? Give a relevant example to support Explain clearly what is involved in each feature. Outline the key features

11. Part (b) Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluating evidence and reaching judgements (10 marks) Judgment against question focus. Example 3 Example 2 Example 1 Focus words What are the main features of a representative democracy?. Question:

12. Part (b) Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluating evidence and reaching judgements (10 marks) Judgment against question focus. Example 3 Example 2 Example 1 Focus words Explain the workings of the ‘First Past the Post’ electoral system. Question:

13. Part (b) Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluating evidence and reaching judgements (10 marks) Judgment against question focus. Example 3 Example 2 Example 1 Focus words Why are interest groups and important part of British democracy? Question:

14. How democratic is the UK? Part ( c) : Constructing arguments and explanation (25 marks) 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.

15. 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

16. Part ( c) : Constructing arguments and explanation (25 marks) Are British political parties being undemocratic? Participation & mobilisation Policy formation Role of political parties Details/ key points Explanation Evidence Analysis – are they supporting or undermining democracy? Government Representation 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.

18. Self assessment against exam board assessment objectives. Communicate explanations and reach reasoned conclusions. AO3 Analysis and evaluate information AO2 Recall, select and deploy knowledge. AO1 My level of confidence Skills required Assessment objective

19. Setting personal targets AO2 AO3 AO1 What I need to do to progress in this skill area Assessment obi

20. Homework Task : Week 1 pt (a) ( 5 marks) 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. Give a relevant example to support Explain clearly what is involved in each feature. Outline the key features

21. What are the limitations to the UK democratic system? Homework Task : Week 2 pt ( c ) question (25 marks) 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?