History
Ms L McLeod – lmcleod@sackvilleschool.org.uk
Studying history will help you to argue clearly, think logically, evaluate evidence, discuss your own ideas and communicate effectively. You will study a range of social, economic and political history, both in Britain and in the wider world. History A level combines well with many other A level subjects, demonstrating you have effective literacy skills and a wide ranging knowledge of world issues. History can give you the skills most employers want and is highly regarded by universities and employers alike.
The A level history course will involve looking at British and American history. Together these courses will cover a period of 200 years.
In year 12 students will study:
Paper 1: Britain Transformed 1918-1997 (30%)
Including: economic and political challenges, the changing role and status of women, the emergence of the Welfare State, race and immigration, the impact of Thatcher’s governments on Britain.
Paper 2: The USA 1955-1992: Conformity and Challenge (20%)
Including: civil rights, the influence of popular culture including TV, film, music, protest movements, Watergate, the roles of presidents such as Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan.
In year 13 students will study:
Paper 3: The British experience of war 1790-1918 (30%)
Including: The Crimean War, The Second Boer War and the impact of the First World War on Britain.
Paper 4: Historical Investigation (20%)
There will also be coursework which will involve studying differing views of historians on a topic such as The Nature of the Nazi Regime.
Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations 30%
Paper 2: Depth study 20%
Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth 30%
Coursework 20%
History is a facilitating subject that can lead you into all sorts of career paths and university choices but you will be mainly interested in a legal career, political science, journalism and international relations. History is a subject valued by universities and employers because it combines logical investigation with reasoned and substantiated argument. Students who study History often follow the subject at degree level or study for a related subject such as Law, Politics or Sociology. The study of History is useful in a wide range of careers such as the legal profession, the civil service, teaching, local government, politics, and in pressure groups and charities. History skills are especially useful in research based occupations such as journalism, the police and the law.
