History Course Information
History isn’t a subject that is stuck in the past. Far from it. Historical events are what has shaped society worldwide into what it is today.
Take the Magna Carta as a case in point. Signed in 1215, it was a charter which covered topics like taxes and citizen’s rights. But it didn’t exist in isolation. The Magna Carta wouldn’t have happened without the Norman conquest of 1066. And there’s a direct line between the Magna Carta and the United States constitution which was signed in 1787. And of course the US Constitution is a role mode for governance even today.
The A Level History course has been designed to help you understand the value and significance of world events in the past. In the process you’ll gain a deeper understanding of social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity. Knowing how people lived in the past helps to understand why people act like they do today.
In the first year, which counts as an AS level, you’ll cover two themes which are fundamental to the whole subject of history. The first is ‘Change and consolidation’, which includes how societies change over time and how governments respond to the need for change. The second theme is ‘Periods of change’, which looks at significant periods of history, it really is all about change … how wars, catastrophes, laws, policies, actions or inventions changed the way people live.
Again, in the second year, there are two major learning themes. First comes ‘The state and the people: change and continuity’. This exciting theme covers the dynamic relationship between the state and citizens over a fifty year period. The second theme is titled ‘Historical enquiry’ and looks at life-changing events over a hundred year period. This second theme includes a coursework essay.
AQA
Unit 1: Britain 1483–1529
Unit 2: Life in Nazi Germany 1933-1945
Unit 3: The Triumph of Elizabeth Britain 1547 – 1603
Unit 4: Personal Study 1860 – 1990 Russia (emphasis on personal research)
In the first year you will sit a paper on each of the two themes you studied during the year. Each paper accounts for 50% of your AS marks. At the end of the second year you will sit one paper, on the first theme of the year, which accounts for 60% of you’re a Level marks. The remaining 40% of your marks are based on your coursework for the year.
Your A Level in History gives you knowledge and skills which will prepare you for higher education, and which are also useful in any career. Students who specialise in history can go on to become historical researchers, work in heritage organisations or become teachers. But history also supports other career paths, like journalism, politics, law, social work and public services. Students who take History often also take Archaeology, Classical Civilisation, Geography or Sociology. History also supports other specialist subjects like English Language/Literature, Government & Politics and Philosophy.
History helps students develop a number of new skills including:
Take the Magna Carta as a case in point. Signed in 1215, it was a charter which covered topics like taxes and citizen’s rights. But it didn’t exist in isolation. The Magna Carta wouldn’t have happened without the Norman conquest of 1066. And there’s a direct line between the Magna Carta and the United States constitution which was signed in 1787. And of course the US Constitution is a role mode for governance even today.
The A Level History course has been designed to help you understand the value and significance of world events in the past. In the process you’ll gain a deeper understanding of social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity. Knowing how people lived in the past helps to understand why people act like they do today.
In the first year, which counts as an AS level, you’ll cover two themes which are fundamental to the whole subject of history. The first is ‘Change and consolidation’, which includes how societies change over time and how governments respond to the need for change. The second theme is ‘Periods of change’, which looks at significant periods of history, it really is all about change … how wars, catastrophes, laws, policies, actions or inventions changed the way people live.
Again, in the second year, there are two major learning themes. First comes ‘The state and the people: change and continuity’. This exciting theme covers the dynamic relationship between the state and citizens over a fifty year period. The second theme is titled ‘Historical enquiry’ and looks at life-changing events over a hundred year period. This second theme includes a coursework essay.
EXAMINATION BOARD
AQA
MODULES
AS Level
Unit 1: Britain 1483–1529
Unit 2: Life in Nazi Germany 1933-1945
A2 Level
Unit 3: The Triumph of Elizabeth Britain 1547 – 1603
Unit 4: Personal Study 1860 – 1990 Russia (emphasis on personal research)
ASSESSMENT
In the first year you will sit a paper on each of the two themes you studied during the year. Each paper accounts for 50% of your AS marks. At the end of the second year you will sit one paper, on the first theme of the year, which accounts for 60% of you’re a Level marks. The remaining 40% of your marks are based on your coursework for the year.
WHERE DOES IT LEAD?
Your A Level in History gives you knowledge and skills which will prepare you for higher education, and which are also useful in any career. Students who specialise in history can go on to become historical researchers, work in heritage organisations or become teachers. But history also supports other career paths, like journalism, politics, law, social work and public services. Students who take History often also take Archaeology, Classical Civilisation, Geography or Sociology. History also supports other specialist subjects like English Language/Literature, Government & Politics and Philosophy.
History helps students develop a number of new skills including:
- How to assemble data and assess it
- How to investigate facts and use deduction
- How to put over your point of view fluently
- How to work as a team to achieve results.
