IE · Subject guide
Politics and Society
Leaving Certificate Politics and Society (NCCA specification), Higher and Ordinary Level, with the SEC examination.
01 · Overview
Politics and Society
Leaving Certificate Politics and Society (NCCA specification), Higher and Ordinary Level, with the SEC examination.
- Subject guide
- Leaving Certificate
- Topics mapped
- 12
02 · Complete topic map
Complete topic map
Every topic recorded for this subject in the curriculum is reproduced below in its full hierarchy. The descriptions reflect the mapped scope without implying additional exam rules.
- 01
Strand 1: Power and decision-making
Foundational strand, studied first, introducing how power operates and how collective decisions are made, from the immediate setting of the school up to the national and European political systems.
- 02
Topic 1: Power and decision-making in school
Examines the distribution of power, forms of authority and participation in decision-making within the student's own school community.
- 03
Topic 2: Power and decision-making at national and European level
Explores how government, the State and European Union institutions exercise power, make laws and relate to citizens at national and EU level.
- 04
Strand 2: Active citizenship
Skills-focused strand developing reflective, informed decision-making through debate and discussion and the practical capacities needed to act as an effective citizen.
- 05
Topic 3: Effectively contributing to communities
Considers how individuals and groups participate in and contribute to the life of their communities and to wider civil society.
- 06
Topic 4: Rights and responsibilities in communication with others
Develops the ethics and skills of respectful, evidence-based communication, deliberation and engagement with differing viewpoints.
- 07
Strand 3: Human rights and responsibilities
Applies the course's foundational concepts to the principles, frameworks and contested practice of human rights and corresponding responsibilities.
- 08
Topic 5: Human rights and responsibilities in Ireland
Investigates how human rights and responsibilities are understood, protected and challenged within the Irish State and society.
- 09
Topic 6: Human rights and responsibilities in Europe and the wider world
Extends the study of human rights to European and international frameworks, institutions and global human-rights issues.
- 10
Strand 4: Globalisation and localisation
Applies foundational concepts to the interconnected processes of globalisation and localisation and their social, cultural, economic and environmental consequences.
- 11
Topic 7: Globalisation and identity
Analyses how globalisation shapes culture, economy and individual and collective identity, including responses at the local level.
- 12
Topic 8: Sustainable development
Examines the concept of sustainable development and the balancing of economic, social and environmental goals locally and globally.
03 · Where this subject applies
Where this subject applies
These pathways and regions are explicitly connected to the subject in the curriculum.
Levels and pathways
Higher Level
Higher Level — the more demanding level, with broader and deeper content and the H1–H8 grade scale.
Ordinary Level
Ordinary Level — the foundational level covering the core of the syllabus, graded O1–O8.
Regions
All registered regions
04 · Official sources
Official sources
The public sources below are referenced directly by this subject or by one of its topics.
This editorial selection points to the relevant official bodies. Always confirm current requirements, dates and exceptional arrangements with your school and the responsible authority.
2
Public references
IE · EuraStudy Guides
Place this subject inside the complete curriculum.
Open the curriculum guide to see every subject and topic, or continue to EuraStudy Summa to begin working with the material.