History

IB

Why study History?
The IB History course is designed to stimulate pupils’ intellectual curiosity in the study of the past. The subject is, at its most basic level, about important ‘stories’ from our collective past, which are historically significant and interesting to look at for their own sake. For instance, it is fascinating to consider how so many people had faith in communism as an infallible political ideology until so recently.

The content of the IB History course has been specifically designed to provide pupils with an insight into the history of the countries like China and India that will almost certainly go on and dominate the 21st century – a good practical reason for studying IB History! Furthermore, by the end of the course all IB historians will have developed a good understanding of some of the most significant events of the 20th century such as World War One, World War Two and the rise of communism in China, which have helped to shape the world in which we live today.

How good must I be?
If a pupil has studied History at GCSE, a grade 6 result would be expected. However, it is not necessary to have studied History GCSE in order to make a success of studying it at IB Level.

Where will it lead me?
History is still widely seen as an academic ‘gold standard’ by universities and employers. An IB History qualification is evidence that an individual can assimilate information and make judgements about it; weigh up different points of view; and express themselves in an articulate and coherent way. These are all intellectual qualities which are highly prized in today’s job market. The subject is certainly useful in leading towards a variety of professional careers, most obviously the law but also business, the civil service and banking.

Course structure
The subject, once memorably described by the historian, G R Elton, as ‘endlessly exciting’, is well taught by experienced teachers who are passionate about their subject, which always helps to make for interesting lessons. Finally, the IB course is delivered in a dynamic and thought provoking way by teachers who are keen to encourage pupils to express their own ideas and opinions via a rigorous process of discussion and debate.

Expectations of independent study
One of the major differences between GCSE and IB is the greater emphasis on wider reading and research, especially in the Upper Sixth. This enables pupils to gain the best marks in examinations but also prepares them for university study and enables them to contribute perceptively to the frequent seminar and discussion lessons. In particular, the internal assessment task provides pupils with a valuable opportunity to research a topic in depth by conducting their own independent research.
 

Assessment:
Paper 1 30% at SL, 20% at HL
A source based paper on German, Italian and Japanese foreign policy in the 1930s (Prescribed Subject 3 – The Move to Global War – Japanese expansion in East Asia (1931–1941) and German and Italian expansion (1933–1940)

Paper 2 45% at SL, 25% at HL
An essay paper in which pupils have to answer 2 questions on 20th century world history topics drawn from: Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars (conflicts covered include World War One, the Spanish Civil War, World War Two and the Chinese Civil War); and 20th Century Authoritarian States (key case studies include Hitler, Franco and Mao Zedong)

Paper 3 35% at HL only
Three essay questions on a particular region – Asia and Oceania. This involves pupils studying the history of Asian powers like India from c1500 up until the 1970s.

Internal Assessment 25% at SL 20% at HL
Pupils must also undertake a short internal assessment project of 2,200 words on a topic of their choice. Pupils are also free to select a History topic for their extended essay.

IB History teaches you to consider different viewpoints and develop a questioning approach.
Harry, IB student

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A Level

Exam Board: AQA  www.aqa.org.uk
Syllabus Code: 7042 

Why study History?
History is a subject that satisfies and stimulates the intellectual curiosity of pupils. The subject is at its most basic level about important ‘stories’ from our collective past, which are interesting to look at for their own sake.

The chronological core of the A Level course runs from c1600 to the end of the 19th century and provides a rich and fascinating canvas for pupils to explore: ranging from political leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Oliver Cromwell to the experiences of ordinary people whose lives were turned upside down by seismic events. 

The 17th century saw the first stirrings of democratic ideas and religious toleration in Britain and in many ways it was the century that ‘made the modern world’.   

Moreover, the History Department works hard to make A Level History a really enjoyable and intellectually stimulating experience; involving trips, competitions, a weekly History Society and putting together an annual magazine, The Cromwellian.

Expectations of independent study
Pupils can expect to be set one substantial piece of written work per fortnight. This is most usually an examination answer or essay, which may take several hours to research, plan and write.

One of the major differences between GCSE and A Level is the greater emphasis on wider reading and research, especially in the Upper Sixth. This enables pupils to gain the best marks in examinations but also prepares them for university study and enables them to contribute perceptively to the frequent seminar and discussion lessons.

Requirements
To make a success of History A Level it is the History Department’s expectation that pupils have at least a 6 in History at GCSE. It should be noted that due to the nature of the syllabus, which is quite different to its GCSE counterpart, having done History GCSE is not an absolute prerequisite for entry onto the A Level course.

History, with its emphasis on weighing up the validity of different arguments, extended writing and forthright, reasoned debate, helps pupils to develop the intellectual skills that they will need at university and beyond.

It is the aspiration of the History Department that, by the end of the A Level course, pupils will be fully independent learners, able to read undergraduate level texts with confidence and to form their own ideas and opinions, based on the available evidence.

Encouraging evidence of how we are developing independent learners is the fact that over the last two years a growing number of A Level Historians have submitted scholarly and well researched essays to competitions run by Oxford and Cambridge colleges.
 

What do the pupils say?
The experiences of A Level historians are overwhelmingly positive and one of the best measures of how much pupils have enjoyed the subject- and the degree to which they have excelled- is the fact that since 2006 over 100 Felstedians have gone on to study the subject at university, including at such prestigious institutions as Oxford, Cambridge, King’s College, Durham, Edinburgh and the London School of Economics. Here are just a few of the comments provided by our A Level pupils in two recent end-of-year surveys:
“The class dynamics are great and the atmosphere is enjoyable. There is clear clarification of unsure areas and I always have the confidence to ask if I am stuck with anything. I always feel like I have achieved something or know much more at the end of each lesson which is rewarding.”
“The teachers are really organised and enthusiastic. You get a sense they really know how to push people to get the top marks and their passion for the subject rubs off on us.”
“The revision class in half term was really reassuring.” 
“The feedback from essays in particular is so good, very detailed and shows exactly what needs to be done to improve, and shows how the marking process has taken place.”
“The History packs we are given at the start of each big topic are amazingly detailed and much better than any other resources I have seen in History in any other school.”
“Teachers are always willing to teach past the curriculum.”

What career pathways are open to me if I study this subject?
History is still widely seen as an academic ‘gold standard’ by universities and employers. An A Level in History is evidence that an individual can assimilate information and make judgements about it; weigh up different points of view; and express themselves in an articulate and coherent way.

These are all intellectual qualities which are highly prized in today’s job market. The subject is certainly useful in leading towards a variety of professional careers, most obviously the Law; for which the emphasis in History on argument, evaluation of textual material and the sifting of evidence, forms an excellent preparation.

Beyond this, History graduates are to be found in the upper reaches of Business, the Civil Service and Banking.

Assessment:  
Paper 1  40%  
Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy 1603-1702  

Paper 2  40%  
America: A Nation Divided, c1845-1877

Personal Study 20%
Historical Investigation on 19th century German History
 

The class dynamics are great and the atmosphere is enjoyable. There is clear clarification of unsure areas and I always have the confidence to ask if I am stuck with anything. I always feel like I have achieved something or know much more at the end of each lesson which is rewarding.
Guy, L6 pupil