History

Exam Board: AQA

Learning about past events and the people who’ve influenced history will allow you to understand how the world got to the point it’s at now, and how it will continue to develop in the future- the events of the past ripple through the social and political landscape of the present. The course will cover a variety of both modern and earlier period studies and will build upon much of what was covered at KS3. Through the study of the course, you will:

• Prove your ability to develop and extend your knowledge and understanding of specific key events, eras, and societies in national and world History.
• Become a successful independent learner and a critical and reflective thinker. You’ll know which questions are relevant to give you the information you need. Taking on investigations with an impartial stance, analysing them in detail to draw substantiated conclusion, by using a range of sources in their context.
• Be aware of the reasons people, events and developments are accorded historical significance, and how and why this can result in different interpretations of them.
• Finally, you will be able to confidently structure and communicate your knowledge and understanding of concepts in alternative ways to reach substantiated conclusions and help others see your rationale.

Assessment

This course is divided into four examined sections over two exam papers:

Paper 1- 50%

Wider world depth study – Democracy to dictatorship – Germany 1890–1945

Topics include: Why did the Kaiser involve Germany into the First World War? How did Germany become a dictatorship under Hitler and the Nazi party? How did Nazi government change society within Germany?

Period study – Conflict and tension – The interwar years – 1918–1939

Topics include: What happened to Europe after the First World War ended? What were the relationships between the European powers like? How did the failings made in this period cause the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939?

Paper 2: 50%

Thematic study – Power and the people

Topics include: How have the people of Britain challenged authority over time? How have the people of Britain improved their position since the medieval period? How did workers improve their rights and how did the people of Britain achieve the right to vote?

British study: Elizabethan England

Topics include- How did society and England change during the rule of Elizabeth I? How did religion reform under Elizabeth I? Was this the start of modern Britain?

Depth study- A historical site from Elizabethan England. This study will be worth 10% of overall marks for the course. The site changes each year, previous studies include the Globe theatre and Hardwick Hall.

Where can it lead?

The study of GCSE History is desirable if you wish to progress to A-Level History and beyond. For those not wishing to pursue a purely historical pathway, the skills developed through studying the subject are valued by employers, and the subject is recognised as a facilitator for entry into the country’s top academic institutions. Careers in which study of the subject are relevant include journalism, the police service, the legal profession (barrister or solicitor), accountancy, business management, financial services, creative industries such as marketing, public relations, the teaching profession, genealogy, archaeology, museum curating, heritage tourism, and heritage management.