How can I take part in the democratic process? The role of the Select Committee Lesson 6 of 6
GCSE • Politics, Parliament and Government • Model curriculum
How can I take part in the democratic process? The role of the Select Committee
This lesson is part 6 of a sequence of 6 lessons addressing the key enquiry:
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK as a parliamentary democracy?
This lesson immerses students in the democratic process by simulating a select committee inquiry, focusing on digital privacy and security. Students assume roles within a Science and Technology Select Committee, evaluate case studies on contemporary issues like women’s safety on Reddit, facial recognition technology, and TikTok security risks, and develop informed recommendations for governmental action. Through guided discussions and critical analysis, students deepen their understanding of select committees’ function and their impact on democracy.
The lesson culminates in drafting a formal report summarizing their inquiry findings and recommendations, reinforcing skills in evaluation and civic participation. Reflection activities challenge students to assess whether the UK fulfills the criteria of a true democracy, using evidence from the scheme of work and insights from global democracy indices. This hands-on approach equips students with practical knowledge of democratic processes and the tools to critically engage with issues of governance and civic responsibility.
This lesson has been designed for delivery as a double lesson. Timings for each task are given as guidelines.
Students will work towards answering the following questions:
- What are select committees and how are they run?
- How can we measure the success of select committees?
- How can I take part in the democratic process through select committees?
- Should the UK be called a democracy?
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