History

History remains a traditional academic subject highly valued by universities. It is often the basis of a career in law, but is also highly flexible and the analytical skills that you will gain are valued in a diverse range of careers from politics to accountancy. We offer a broad ranging History course which gives students the opportunity to experience both the late medieval world of kings, queens and civil war and a more modern one of revolution, economics and ideology. The course is composed of two key modules outlined below and one piece of coursework:

The Wars of the Roses 1450-1499

The inspiration behind the best-selling novels ‘A Song of Fire and Ice’ (Game of Thrones), the Wars of the Roses was one of the most intriguing and blood-stained periods in English history. This is a world of mad and murderous monarchs as the last of the Plantagenet’s led England into anarchy and civil war, leaving the Tudors to pick up the pieces and mould a whole new world. This is a very human history, which focuses on individuals, family and friendship along with the jealousies, betrayals and other emotions that go with them. We analyse great battles, such as Towton (1461) and Bosworth (1485) and explore mysteries such as the accession of Richard III and disappearance of the princes in the tower.

The making of a superpower: USA 1865-1975

This course focuses on the rise of America as a World Power and covers many of the key themes of modern history including economics, international relations and racial integration. The first part charts how the USA recovered from civil war in the 1860s to become a global economic power by 1920. The second part looks at the search for a national identity as the country experienced the Jazz ages, prohibition, racial and geographical division and eventually the great depression and Second World War. The final part explores international relations in the Cold War era of 1945-75, as well the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s.

Assessment

Examination Board: AQA

Component 1: Breath Study n written exam: 2 hours 30 mins n three questions (one compulsory) n 80 marks n 40% of A Level Component 2: Depth Study n written exam: 2 hours 30 mins n three questions (one compulsory) n 80 marks n 40% of A Level Component 3: Historical Investigation n 3000-3500 words essay n 40 marks n 20% of A Level marked by teachers, moderated by AQA

Course Requirements:

There are no specific course requirements to study History at A level. History is not a cumulative subject, so you can come in and be successful without having a GCSE. However, it is essential that you have an enthusiasm for the course, good communication skills and an enjoyment of reading, since all of these will help you to achieve a good final grade.

What History can offer you:

n A traditional qualification that is widely respected by universities and employers, History can underpin your studies in Politics, Economics and Business Studies, Languages, RS and English; n The key skills of the Historian – analytical thinking and communication – are widely transferable and History graduates go on to a very wide range of career. However, if you are thinking of a career in Law or the Civil Service then History is a particularly suitable subject for you; n You will learn how to analyse, evaluate and form arguments from an informed position; n You will be able to organise your views and communicate them in a clear, logical and precise way; n You will be able to form judgements from an informed perspective; n You will assess interpretations of historical events critically, and will reach conclusions on the controversies surrounding the past; n An interest that can stay with you for the rest of your life!