AS/ A LEVEL HISTORY

WHAT IS HISTORY?

History is the study of the past, a subject that records and interprets past events involving human beings. This is done by analysing evidence from the periods and historians’ interpretations of the events. At Prior, this ranges from the 16th Century to the 20th Century.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY HISTORY?

History is the fascinating study of past events, cultures and societies. Studying History helps us understand the present and explain why events in the past happened as they did. It will also develop important analytical skills. History encourages you to have an enquiring mind and makes you think critically about the world around you. It also teaches you to construct coherent arguments and express yourself clearly, both verbally and in writing.

USEFUL SKILLS AND INTERESTS

• An enthusiasm for the subject
• An interest in reading
• The ability to interpret documents and to write coherently
• The capability to research material independently

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

Revolution in societies

The units of our AS course are linked by the theme of revolution and cover the following topics:

Unit One: A World Divided: Communism and Democracy in the 20th Century

Russia in Revolution, 1881-1924: From Autocracy to Dictatorship

• The challenges to the tsarist state, 1881-1906: nature of the regime; economic and social change; opposition parties; the 1905 revolution
• Tsarism’s last chance, 1906-1917: the Dumas; Stolypin; the impact of war; the downfall of the Romanovs
• February to October 1917; the provisional government and the Bolshevik Coup.
• Holding on to and consolidating power, 1918-24: Civil war; changing economic policies; creating the Soviet state

Pursuing Life and Liberty: Equality in the USA, 1945-1968

• The social and economic position of black citizens in the USA in the 1940s and early 1950s: the nature and extent of discrimination and segregation; signs of change by 1955.
• Martin Luther King and peaceful protest
• Black power and the use of violence; the extent to which equality had been achieved by 1968
• The changing economic and social environment of the 1960s: the position of other ethnic minorities

Unit Two: Early Modern British History

• Crown and Authority Henry VIII: Authority, Nation and Religion, 1509-40.
• Henry VIII and the quest for international influence: relations with France, Scotland and Spain
• The structure of Government: the role of Wolsey to 1529 and his relations with King, nobility and Parliament
• Henry’s challenging relations with the Catholic Church and the break from Rome; the role of Parliament in the early stages of the reformation; the role of Cranmer and Cromwell
• The Dissolution of the Monasteries: support for, and opposition to, religious change from 1529

If you decide that you want to progress to A-level then you will focus on the following two units.

Unit Three: Protest, Crisis and Rebellion in England, 1536-1588

• The development of Tudor Government
• Faction and court politics
• Religious changes under Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, 1547-1566
• Anglo-Spanish relations, 1553-1588

Unit Four: Historical Enquiry Coursework

Germany United and Divided, 1890-1991

• Germany’s involvement in the First World War
• The rise and fall of Nazism
• The partition of Germany
• The reasons for reuniting Germany in 1991

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

In the AS Course, assessment is purely by examination and there are two examinations, which last one hour and twenty minutes. You will be expected to answer source based questions, questions on key issues and causation.

In the second year of the course there is one examination and a unit of coursework.

COURSE COMMITMENT

You will have about four and a half hours of contact time with the teacher, together with a commitment to attend learning workshops. You are expected to study for the same amount of time on your own.

COURSE COSTS

There is an excellent History Journal that we recommend subscribing to, which supports the study of History, costing £10.00. We also have organised a variety of voluntary course trips, to places such as Fountains Abbey and Mount Grace (approx £10.00) and The British Museum and Tower of London (approx £80 with an overnight stay).

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

You need to have met the standard college entry requirements for 5 GCSE grade C or above. If you have taken GCSE History you will need a grade C or above. However, you do not need to have studied History at school but you will need at least a grade C in GCSE English Language and Literature, as History is a very literary subject.

PROGRESSION ROUTES

History teaches important skills such as clear expression and analysing evidence. These skills are useful in a wide range of careers, such as the Police, Law, Politics, Social Work, Teaching and all kinds of business and management based careers. Many of our students move on to Higher Education and study History at an advanced level.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The full course specification can be found at www.edexcel.org.uk

If you require further information please contact Alison Dodds, the Department Manager, Lindsay Jones, the course leader or David Stoten.