Subject : History

Awarding body: Edexcel:

History - Advanced Subsidiary (8H101)
History - Advanced GCE (9H101)

Course content and examination requirements:

The course enables students to study some of the formative developments in British, European and American history, and assess how states and societies were transformed. It develops students’ skills of analysis, the ability to deal with conflicting data as well as the ability to communicate ideas clearly.  The Department aims to incorporate a range of methods into teaching and learning including group work, presentations, film, lectures, the use of IT, as well as individual reading, research and writing. In addition to lessons students will be expected to complete about six hours of independent study a week.

Year 12 - AS Units Year 13 - A2 Units (full GCE)

Unit 1  (6H101)
Externally assessed written exam:

One hour and twenty minutes

50% of  AS marks  60 marks
(25% of total GCE)

A World Divided: Communism and Democracy in the 20th Century -
Russia in Revolution 1881-1924
Stalin’s Russia 1924-1953

This option considers the themes of power, influence and control in society and the relationship between them.

Unit 3   (6H103)
Externally assessed written exam:

Two hours

60% of A2   70 marks
(30% of total GCE)

The United States: Challenged and Transformed – Boom, Bust and Recovery:
The USA (1917-1954)

This option traces the economic and social development of the USA from the economic Depression of the 1930s to the impact of the New Deal, focusing on selected chronology and key issues and debates associated with it.

Unit 2   (6H102)
Externally assessed written exam:

One hour and twenty 20 minutes

50% of  AS marks  60 marks
(25% of total GCE)

The British Empire Challenged - Britain and Ireland 1867-1922

This option focuses on the key developments in the relationship between the Britain and one of its most prominent colonies with particular emphasis on understanding the nature of the relationship and Britain’s response to the conflict that arose.

Unit 4   (6H104)
Internally assessed coursework
2000 words

40% of A2  50 marks
(20% of total GCE)

Rebellion and Disorder in Tudor England 1485-1587

Within this coursework option students address key aspects of a chosen theme over a period of at least 100 years in order to develop their understanding of the process of change over a long period. Specifically, they consider the ways in which the nature of rebellion changed during the period and the extent to which England became politically stable at this time.

Entry requirements:

GCSE History – Grade A minimum.
A genuine interest for the past, whilst also having the motivation for independent study.

Relevance to further studies and careers:

History is valuable for the transferable skills it develops, and as such is highly recognised by institutions and employers; historians are found in many professions – especially Law and Finance. It can be combined with many other subjects, especially English, Modern Foreign Languages and RE, but can also be successfully combined with Sciences.

Teaching staff / further information:

Ms S Batty and Mr J Skidmore

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