History

History: CIE IGCSE History (0470)

Remove and Hundred

The course aims to give pupils an overview of major political developments in the 20th Century, as well as developing pupils’ ability to evaluate and interpret source material and to write cogent and analytical pieces of written work. Pupils are encouraged throughout the course to develop the ability to construct and maintain an argument, both orally and on paper. By the end of the two years, pupils should be able to think critically about historical topics and to discriminate between differing interpretations of history.

Pupils in the Remove follow a 20th Century syllabus, which explores international relations between World War One and the Cold War. The course commences by exploring the tensions arising from late nineteenth century European imperialism and the process by which these led to the start of World War One. Pupils then judge whether the peacemakers at Paris were justified in their treatment of the defeated powers in the aftermath of the war, before exploring the merits and demerits of the work of the League of Nations in the 1920s and 1930s. The course continues with an assessment of the causes of World War Two, as well as a brief overview of the events of the war. In the post world war context, pupils consider the reasons for the development of the Cold War and the nature of the Cold War conflict thereafter, concluding with the conflicts in the Gulf.

In the Hundreds, pupils will study in depth the history of Germany between 1919 and 1945. The course includes an assessment of the strengths and limitations of the Weimar republic and the rise of Hitler and the reasons for his success. The final part of the course focuses on the nature, development and collapse of the Nazi regime.

The course is assessed by examination only. Pupils sit three papers:

Paper 1 – (2 hours): The first paper tests their knowledge and understanding of both the 20th Century overview course and the German depth study. Pupils answer three questions (two on the overview and one on Germany) which are designed to test pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the course and their ability to explain and analyse historical issues.

Paper 2 – (2 hours): The second paper tests pupils’ ability to analyse and assess primary and secondary sources. The sources which pupils tackle relate to an aspect of the 20th Century overview course. That aspect changes each year.

Paper 4 – (1 hour): The last paper focuses on the German depth study. Pupils have to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Germany between 1918 and 1945. The paper tests pupils’ essay writing skills.

Pupils are encouraged to read widely around the course syllabus and book reviews and essay prizes are held by the department, with the aim of encouraging greater understanding of and enthusiasm for the subject. 15