Politics in the

After the June examinations students will return to College and start on A2 US Government & Politics.

Politics students to participate in a Podcasting Competition in which each student will need to create a Podcast which reflects politics in the USA. The Podcasts will be assessed by Mr Scott and Dr Jepson.

Students can turn this fun activity into an 'Extended Project' (worth up to 70 UCAS points) by adding to their Podcast an analytical piece of written research which accompanies and discusses/explains/evaluates the issues of the Podcast. This piece of research should be undertaken over the summer vacation and be over 3000 words.

Advice: Ensure that your project meets this assessment criteria.

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US Podcast ideas/suggestions: Democrat Senator Clinton's election campaign - Democrat Senator Obama's election campaign - Republican McCain - Al Gore and the Environment - Parliament, Congress, and Senate - A Federal System of Government - President v Prime Minister - The Influence of pressure groups in the US - The US voting sytem - Race and the US election - How President Bush will be remembered - The US Constitution - Primaries and Caucuses. The US Congress - The influence of the internet in US elections.

Podcasts - combining Keynote/Powerpoints - can be made on a Mac using Profcast (a windows version of Profcast is due soon).

The winning Podcast will be showcased at the Grand Final of the Mooting Competition and a prize given by the Principal, Dr Frank Botham, to the winner.

Topics to be covered ...

(1) What is an 'Extended Project' and what must I do?

(2) How do I PLAN and research things?

(3) How do I write an 'Extended Project'?

(4) How do I reference my work?

(5) What is plagiarism and how can I avoid it?

In addition: ........

Returning A2 Government & Politics students need to complete the below vacation essay over the summer vacation and hand to your Laws Tutor (or place in the RED BOX) at the first lesson of the September term (students who undertake the extended project are exempt from doing the vacation essay).

Vacation Essay: Outline the difference between a 'federal system' and a 'unitary system'.

Advice: To answer this vacation essay, students are advised to undertake research using a 'Comparative UK/US Government & Politics' textbook. They should relate (giving examples) critically to the systems of government in the UK and USA.

Learning skills used: R&P, CT, CP, CIT, LD and LA.