An introductory lesson the the AQA Politics Paper 3 - Political ideas scheme. The lesson begins with students defining a policy, political idea and ideology, then applying this to three case studies to show the differences in action. Students then get an overview of the paper and explore the 5 key themes explored and annotate around how and why they would be important to a political thinker. Using the brief definitions of the four ideologies students assess what each ideology (e.g. socialism) would approach society etc. As a plenary students explain to each other the key differences between a policy, idea and an ideology

This lesson explores how Liberalism became a political theory. The lesson starts with defining Liberalism, leading to a guided reading activity to uncover what we can learn about Liberalism as a theory. Three short videos introduce how Liberalism has been applied, leading to an exploration of the main principles of liberalism, making notes on the key areas. Finally, students list how we may see liberalism in the modern day.

This lesson explores the views held by Liberals on human nature/the individual. The lesson begins with a quote from John Locke regarding his views which students make inferences from. Students then use a video to explore liberal views and then complete a data capture carousel exploring the theories around human nature (e.g. rational, egotistical etc). Students then apply their understanding to a 9-mark explain question explaining and analysing three ways in which liberal thinkers have viewed human nature.

This lesson explores the view liberals have on society. The lesson starts with an extract from Rand, asking students to make inferences and apply knowledge to support and challenge. A video then introduces key ideas around society, leading to completion of a data capture table comparing the three views on society held by liberals. Students then apply their learning to a 9-mark response on how liberal thinkers define freedom, bringing in the learning of the state, human nature and society. A recall plenary allows retrieval practice of key content.

This lesson explores how liberals view the state. The lesson begins with a knowledge recall quiz, leading to an introductory video on liberal views on the state. Students then use the table to summarise the liberal approach to limited government. The main tasks focuses on exploring what liberal thinkers agree and disagree on re. the nature of the state, leading to an extract practice. The judgement asks students to debate if ‘liberal democracy is a contradication in terms’ - leading to a judgement line plenary.

This lesson explores the contrasting liberal ideas about the economy. The lesson starts with a key word definition, leading to a video introducing economic liberal theory. Students then assess the strengths and weaknesses of economic liberal theory, linking in knowledge of real life examples of economic liberalism in action. Finally, there is a plenary debate and judgement line on whether economic liberalism is benficial for society.

This lesson explores the similarities and differences between classic and modern liberalism. The lesson begins with a starter exploring the key arguments and debates within liberalism. A video then explores the differences, leading to a group presentation task exploring either classical or modern liberalism with a data capture table to complete. The lesson culminates in an extract practice, written up for homework.

This lesson assesses the ‘founder’ of liberalism The lesson starts with a knowledge recall test, leading into a timeline of Locke’s background and early life. Students then use the information sheet to investigate Locke’s life, leading into a homework that explores Locke’s influence on Whig politics.

This lesson explores the role that Betty Friedan played on liberal thought. The lesson starts with a 3, 2, 1 recap starter, leading to a video on Friedan’s ideas and contributions. Students then explore how ‘liberal’ Friedan’s views could be and how liberalism underpins this. Finally, a plenary debate occurs with students debating this extent of equality of opportunity in the UK today.

This lesson explores John Stuart Mill’s beliefs and influence on liberalism. The lesson starts with a definition of utilitarianism, leading to a video with notes exploring Mill’s theories. Students then explore Mill’s background and beliefs and finally summarising Mill’s contribution to Liberalism in a spider diagram.

This lesson explores Wollstonecraft’s impact on liberalism. The lesson starts with an extract inference on Wollstonecraft’s views, leading into a video exploration of Wollstonecraft’s views and background. The students then use an information sheet to investigate Wollstonecraft. Students then use an article to explore Wollstonecraft’s legacy.

This lesson explores the role of John Rawls in liberal thought. The lesson begins with a recap of Thomas Hill Green (previous homework), leading to a video of John Rawls’ background and contribution to liberal thought. A guided reading explores Rawls’ background, leading to exploration of Rawls’ ideas in the Lib Dem 2024 manifesto/Biden’s Health reforms (2021). Finally, students explore the similarities and differences of Rawls’ theories to socialism.

This lesson explores the similarities and differences of the liberal thinkers. The lesson starts with a recap timeline, asking students to summarise the key thinkers. Students then focus on one individual and summarise their beliefs on state, economy, human nature and society, presenting to the rest of the group whilst each student completes the table. Students then assess tensions within liberalism and liberalism today, explaining how far tensions exist within liberalism. A trio recap plenary allows retrieval of key vocab and terms.

This lesson explores socialist views of human nature. The lesson starts with an analysis of Beatrice Webbs’ views on human nature, leading to a video introducing the key thinking. Students then complete a data capture table comparing the different views of human nature. Students then explore what criticisms could be lodge at socialist views, leading to a contrast of the differences betweent socialist and liberal views of human nature.

This lesson explores socialist views on society beginning with a contrasting perspectives (revolutionary v. evolutionary) starter, moving on to assessing the strengths and weaknesses of socialist views on society. Students then compare liberal and socialist views of society, listing similarities and differences, finally applying their learning to a 9-mark explain and analyse response, leading to self or peer assessment.

This lesson explores socialist thinking on the economy, beginning with an economic definitions starter (in the context of socialist theory). The lesson then moves on to a video introducing theories, leading to an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of different socialist economic theories. Students then consider economic socialism evident in modern Britain/the US leading to a summative plenary reviewing all learning.

This lesson explores socialist views on the state, beginning with an extract starter practising the key extract skills. Students then use a hand out to answer key questions about socialist theories on the state, leading to a research task on the extent of socialism in modern Britain. Students then create a ‘perfect’ paragraph for a 9-mark explain and analyse response. Finally, a judgement assesses how far socialist democracy is a realistic proposition. A reading article/essay homework is also included.

This lesson explores different branches of socialism, focusing on revolutionary socialism in depth. The lesson begins with a recap on the views of Marx, Engels and Luxemburg, moving into a comparison of revolutionary socialist ideas. Students then explore the similarities and differences between revolutionary socialist ideas before application to a 9-mark assessed response on the role of the state with a peer or self assessed plenary.

This lesson explores the 5 key socialist thinkers. Beginning with a recap of revolutionary and evolutionary socialism, the lesson moves to a carousel of evidence gathering on the key thinkers, with a recap summarising their core beliefs. Students then present on one thinker, assessing their views on human nature, society, the state and the economy, while all students complete the date capture table. The lesson culminates in a trio plenary, allowing key terminology and knowledge recall across the socialism topic.