History
Exam Board: OCR
Head of Department: Mr E J Beavington
Am I suited to this course?
Do you want to understand what's going on in the world today and
understand the society you live in? Do you want to learn invaluable
skills and gain an impressive qualification which is well respected
by universities and employers alike? Then study History! We are
looking for students who have achieved well at GCSE level and are
prepared to read widely and contribute to class discussions and
tutorials. It is not necessary to have completed the GCSE History
course in order to study History A level but it will certainly help
if you can write well and fluently. History is all about people as
well as vast movements('isms') and relations between countries, so
you should have a natural curiosity about human nature - what
'makes people tick' - and the origins of the modern world.
An A-Level in History can lead to careers in management, law,
journalism, business, politics, the military, the civil service and
any area where the need to analyse and communicate is required.
What will we study and how will my AS and A level grades be
assessed?
At AS level the course is split into 2 units which are both
assessed by examination papers. They form 50% of the four-unit
Advanced GCE.
AS Level Units
i. We study a
slice of Medieval History looking at the Crusades and Crusader
States 1095-1192, an enormously rich and exciting period which
covers the first three Crusades as well as the Muslim
reaction.
(50% of AS marks)
We study the Mid-Tudor Crisis, 1536 - 1569. Get to know Henry
VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth in detail. How stable and well
served was the monarchy in this period? What were the effects of
economic and social change? How significant were the religious
changes of the period? What was the nature of the challenge to
royal authority?
(50% of AS marks)
A2 Level Units
i. Russian
Revolutions 1894-1924. This unit examines why there were 3
revolutions in Russia during this period, the role of the Tsar in
his own downfall, how Lenin and the Bolsheviks were able to
maintain themselves in power and whether Lenin was a dictator who
took and held power by force.
( No examination. 2 pieces of coursework, internally assessed and
externally moderated. 20% of total GCE marks)
Civil Rights in the USA 1865-1992. This Theme Study focuses on
the struggle of citizens in the US to gain equality and rights over
a 100 plus year period. Four key groups are targeted: African
Americans, Trade Unionists, Native Americans and Women. This unit
is all about change and centres on the main developments and
turning points.
(Examination. 30% of total GCE marks)
What work will we do?
You will consider different views and interpretations of History
as well as studying many original sources such as letters, diaries,
cartoons, pictures and film. Individual research skills are
important, especially at A2 level.
Written work will take the form of note-taking and essays and
students are expected to read as widely as possible. Oral
discussions, seminars, student presentations, IT research and class
debates are an important part of A Level History.