history History - AS/A2
Exam Board: AQA
Why did dictators such as Hitler and Stalin rise to power? To what extent did British values change during the 1960s? How have people, societies and institutions changed and why? How do Governments control and mobilise societies?
Is History for you? • You must have achieved at least 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including at least a grade C in English Language. You need not have studied History before, but if you have, a grade C or above is expected. • You enjoy learning about the past, including how people have lived their lives and the causes and effects of social and political, cultural and economic events and developments.
You are interested in current affairs. You want to understand why the world is as it is and gain a better appreciation of your place in it. You want to develop skills to look beyond the headlines, to ask questions properly and to express your own opinions. You want to learn to absorb, analyse and assess a wide variety of information and viewpoints. You enjoy writing essays and reading widely.
What will I learn?
How will I be assessed?
AS Year
Assessment is through a combination of coursework (20%) and exam (80%).
Totalitarian Ideology in Theory & in practice 1848 - 1941 You will learn about the development of totalitarian ideologies from the mid 19th century and investigate three totalitarian regimes – Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler.
What activities can I get involved in?
A Sixties Social Revolution? British Society 1959 - 1975 You will have the opportunity to investigate the nature and the extent to which there was social and cultural change in Britain during the 1960s. This is closely linked to Media Studies, Film Studies, Sociology, Politics, Music and English.
A2 Year The Angevin Kings of England: British Monarchy 1154 - 1216 You will gain an understanding of change and continuity over the period of the reigns of King Henry II and his sons, Kings Richard and John. As a result you will be able to demonstrate how issues, ideas and other factors change during the period, for example the nature of kingship, the relationship between the Church and the State and social attitudes towards the Jewish minority in Angevin England. You will also look at the importance of individuals such as Eleanor of Aquitaine and Hubert Walter.
You will have the opportunity to take part in History department trips and attend expert talks which bring to life the topics you will study in the classroom. Recent visits have included Berlin and Krakow, with a chance to visit the Auschwitz Concentration Camp and a trip to Lincoln and York to explore English Medieval History. The Department also has links to the University of Liverpool and related activities have included a lecture by Professor Michael Hughes on the control of the Arts in Russia and the Soviet Union for A2 students. Further activities related to the coursework topic have included trips to the Philharmonic and to the Liverpool Empire Theatre. The College has lots of exciting enrichment and C.V building opportunities including the chance to earn the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, learn a new skill, learn a language, join a club, take up or develop a sport or take on a new challenge. See the College Prospectus for further information about what is on offer.
Where does it lead? History opens the door to a wide range of degrees, including progression into social science and humanities courses at university, such as History, English, Law and Economics.
Historical Enquiry: Government & the Arts in Russia/USSR
For some careers, especially Law and Journalism, History is a particularly useful subject. It provides a background to our cultural tradition and a better appreciation of the present. However it is by no means restricted to being useful for these courses alone. Indeed many leading universities also respect science students taking History as the analytical and writing skills gained from it are invaluable in any field.
You will have the opportunity to carry out your own historical enquiry based on the theme of government control over the Arts in Russia and the Soviet Union from 1860 to 1990.
You will also gain many transferable skills which employers will value, including how to read critically and think independently, evaluate evidence, analyse complex situations, construct a logical and well-supported argument and communicate effectively.
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