History

Examination Board

Qualification level Cambridge International IGCSE

Specification code 0977

Overview This syllabus provides an opportunity for pupils to develop an understanding of the key historical events from the 20th century, which have helped to shape our world today. The aims of this course are as follows:

• Engage pupils in the process of historical enquiry and develop critical thinking skills. • Enable pupils to develop an awareness of how the past has been represented,

interpreted and accorded significance for different reasons and purposes.

• Help pupils recognise that historical knowledge and skills help them to understand the

present and provides them with a basis for their role as responsible citizens.

• Enable pupils to ask relevant questions about the past and to investigate them critically

using a range of sources.

• Help pupils to communicate their historical understanding and to reach substantiated

judgements. Study visits have always been an integral part of the course; in Year 10 pupils will have the opportunity to visit Berlin and in Year 11 they will attend a theatre performance of Hitler on Trial. The course studied is a good basis for A Level study, developing as it does a questioning approach and analytical skills.

Curriculum The content focuses on key questions relating to international relations:

• Were the peace treaties of 1919–23 fair? • To what extent was the League of Nations a success? • Why had international peace collapsed by 1939? • Who was to blame for the Cold War? • How effectively did the USA contain the spread of Communism? • How secure was the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe, 1948–c.1989? • Why did events in the Gulf matter, c.1970–2000?

In addition, all pupils will study a Depth Study on Germany 1918-1945.

Assessment

Unit % of final assessment Type of assessment 1 40% Written examination

2 3 33% 27% Written examination Coursework

Timing of assessment May May Michaelmas Term

Do pupils need to study History at GCSE for A Level? Not necessary but certainly advantageous to have done so. The skills developed, essay writing, research, source analysis, are the key skills necessary for high achievement at A Level.

Pupil View “The focus on the 20thcentury helps me to understand the world around me and make connections to the past. The key events from it are still debated and discussed today and help me realize that society today is the result of these past events. It also develops a number of skills, which are easily transferable to my other subjects, such as essay writing and source analysis. Thehistory teachers get us involved and make learning enjoyable. It is a challenging GCSE and there is lots of work but it is really interesting and rewarding and lots of fun”.