History
What is it about at sixth-form level?
History is fundamentally the study of the past. It examines past individuals, societies, cities and other structures, as well as the causes that shaped their development and demise. The A Level History course focuses on nineteenth and twentieth-century Europe. The themes of ideology and imperialism are considered during this tumultuous period. Focus will also be given to social and cultural aspects, so that students acquire a comprehensive understanding of these pivotal years. The course will also concentrate on source-evaluation and the importance of presenting clear and defined arguments in a coherent and concise fashion.
The study of these topics will allow students to understand Mark Twain’s famous comment that “History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes.†History allows us to understand the context in which events happened, and – through knowledge of the historiography of the era – to analyse how interpretations have been subsequently altered or validated.
Why study it and what skills does it develop?
History is a venerable and rigorous academic subject that is respected by every university. It will develop your analytic and evaluative skills through confrontation with both source material and the competing historical explanations it has led to. It will teach you how to articulate coherent arguments in a clear written form. These are skills that will benefit you across a range of subjects and beyond
What prior knowledge and skills are required?
A GCSE in History is not a prerequisite. You will need to have obtained at least 5 GCSEs at 9-4 including a grade 6 in English Language. You will need the ability to read substantial quantities of text with a critical eye and to write clearly and concisely. It is important to bear in mind that at this level it is not a matter of retaining and deploying a lot of information but rather a matter of drawing upon it selectively to construct a persuasive argument.
How is the course assessed?
A level
For the A level in History, students must take three components: two examinations (Components 1 and 2) of 2 hours 30 minutes and worth 40% of the overall A level each; and an independently researched and written 3500 to 4500-word ‘Historical Investigation’, which is worth 20% of the overall A level. In exam component 1 (the ‘Breadth Study’), students must answer a compulsory question linked to historical interpretations In Section A and two of three essay questions in Section B. In exam component 2 (the ‘Depth Study’), students must answer a compulsory question linked to primary or contemporary sources.
Reading
To be confirmed at the start of the course
Oxford AQA History for A level: Tsarist and Communist Russia 1855-1964
By S. Waller
Published by OUP, ISBN 978-0198354673
Revolutionary Russia, 1891-1991: A Pelican Introduction
By Orlando Figes
Published by Pelican, ISBN 978-0141043678
Oxford AQA History for A level: Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition 1906-1957
By M. Willis, J. Thomas and S. Waller
Published by OUP, ISBN 978-0198354598
Imperial Island:Â A History of Britain and its Empire, 1660-1837
By Paul Kleber Monod
Published by Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN 978-1405134453
Exam Board and Specification Codes
A level: AQA 7042Â
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