Politics and Society - Ordinary

Politics and Society is a new subject on the leaving cert that will be first examined in 2018. The subject aims to develop students' capacity to engage in reflective and active citizenship, informed by the insights and skills of social and political sciences.

The course has elements of sociology, anthropology, political studies and philosophy. 

Leaving Certificate Politics and Society can be broken down into four strands. 

• Power and decision-making
• Active citizenship
• Human rights and responsibilities
• Globalisation and localisation

Higher Level Course Content

• 1: Power and decision-making at national and European level
• 1: Power and decision-making in the school
• 2: Effectively contributing to communities
• 2: Rights and responsibilities in communication with others
• 3: Human rights and responsibilities in Europe and the wider world
• 3: Human rights and responsibilities in Ireland
• 4: Globalisation and identity
• 4: Sustainable development
• Data-Based questions
• Key Thinkers

Ordinary Level Course Content

• 1: Power and decision-making at national and European level
• 1: Power and decision-making in the school
• 2: Effectively contributing to communities
• 2: Rights and responsibilities in communication with others
• 3: Human rights and responsibilities in Europe and the wider world
• 3: Human rights and responsibilities in Ireland
• 4: Globalisation and identity
• 4: Sustainable development
• Data-Based questions

Assessment

The leaving cert assessment is made up of two parts. 

1. Report on a citizenship project (20%)

The written report will consist of three sections. 

• Section A: Rationale and research
• Section B: Execution of citizenship project
• Section C: Reflections on the knowledge gained and skills developed during the project

2. Written examination (80%)

The written paper takes 2hrs 30 mins and consists of three sections. 
Section A contains short questions, Section B contains data-based questions and section C requires students to write essay-type answers. 

Future Careers

Politics and Society can be useful in a number of careers such as Public Administration, Psychology, History, Social Care and Politics.

Useful Links:

Download Politics and Society Curriculum Specification. 

Download Politics and Society Chief Examiner's Report (2018)