Well done on completing the work, tasks and videos on the Oakes Future page. This really shows your commitment to the course and we are excited to be working with you more in September. This next page will be updated with different tasks to help develop your skills further. It gives you the opportunity to delve into content from the course and get you ready to start in the new term. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions but use this page to strengthen your knowledge and interest in Politics.
‘Man is a political animal’ (Aristotle)
Politics will suit students who:
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have an interest in the world around them: who want to know more about the society they live in, how it works and how it could work,
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enjoy debate, discussion and argument: who are comfortable with the fact that in politics there are no simple ‘rights’ or ‘wrongs’,
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like to think for themselves: who wants to develop their own views, rather than accept the views of
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Politics will be a new subject to the majority of you and therefore you may see it as an opportunity to do something fresh and new, an enriching experience in itself.
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It is particularly important that you have an enquiring mind and a desire to learn about how the political system works.
“Just because you do not take an interest in politics, doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you." – attributed to Pericles, 5th century BC
The skills you will develop studying politics:
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Knowledge and understanding of basic political ideas , concepts, structures and processes, the relationship between them and how they work at different levels.
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An ability to interpret and analyse political information in various forms and from various sources, and to apply a range of political ideas concepts and theories.
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An ability to evaluate arguments, theories, values and ideologies to explain political behaviour and suggest solutions to controversial issues.
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The skills to organise and present an argument with relevance, clarity and coherence using good English.
How will you be successful on this course?
You will need to take an interest in current affairs and political issues.
This will involve:
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Reading a QUALITY newspaper (such as The Times, Guardian, Telegraph or their Sunday equivalent; magazines and specific politics journals such as Politics Review as well as the set textbooks.
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Watching current affairs programmes such as Panorama, Despatches etc. and specific politics programmes such as ‘A Week in Politics‘.
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Watching the news or listening to ‘Today’ on Radio 4.
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Discussing and debating political issues with both fellow politics students and others
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Keeping a scrapbook of press cuttings on politics and issues
Read through the booklet and complete the following activities:
