Task 1: What is Politics?
Watch the video below Politics a View from the Street. Consider how you would define Politics. You may want to think about why it is such a contested concept and how that affects the different ways people define politics.

Note down a brief summary of your definition and your thinking around the topics above. We will use this in our first lesson.

Task 2: Introduction to Democracy
View the video on YouTube – Democracy: An Introduction (see link below).

While watching the video, take notes on the different types of democracy and how they operate in the UK. Be able to answer – How would you explain that the UK is a democracy? 

Task 3: What is ideology?

Part 1:  Read the introductory pages from each of the three major ideologies discussed in the course, available in the Introduction to Ideology reading download available below.

In your own words, briefly describe what it means to be a conservative a liberal and a socialist. Try to explain where they agree and disagree, To which ideology would you align yourself?

Part 2: Complete the political party quiz by following the UK inside with the link below.
Does this align with your ideological view? If not consider in which areas your viewpoint differs, and think about why that might be. What has shaped your political views?

Task 4: Current Events
Throughout the summer keep an eye on the news - note down any key political events that occur using the Political Events Diary available to download below. Try to find different news sources covering the same event and compare the way the event is covered.

Extension
Read the Politics review article below on how to effectively study politics

The additional video links are optional but very helpful.