A Level History

AS/A Level History

Exam Board: Pearson Edexcel

A-Level History provides the opportunity to develop an enquiring mind and excellent literacy skills, as well as studying a fascinating subject and developing your historical knowledge. History is a very interesting and practical subject, because it involves:

• Learning about people – how they interact, the motives and emotions that can tear people apart into rival factions or help them to work together for a common cause to bring about positive change.

• Learning about countries, societies and cultures – so many of today's conflicts and alliances have their roots in the past; how can you understand a country, culture or society if you know nothing of its history?

• Learning to locate and sift facts – analysing sources to identify truth and recognise myth, propaganda and lies. Also, summarising different interpretations and considering how convincing different ideas are.

• Researching evidence – you have to find out what happened through looking for different types of evidence and resources and deciding what is useful.

• Presenting what you've learned in a way that makes sense to others – communicating your ideas in extended written and oral form and having the confidence to defend your findings with evidence.

You will study a broad range of history from across the world and develop a greater understanding of how societies, cultures and governments have developed. The historical skills of analysis, interpretation of sources, understanding a coherent point of view, and problem solving play a key part throughout the course.

An Advanced GCE in History will give you a number of skills relevant to many types of employment, such as the ability to complete independent research to find information, and to analyse evidence and different interpretations. You will be taught how to present information clearly for others to understand in written and oral form.

We also offer a number of enrichment opportunities including a trip to Washington DC, and to the Slave Trade Museum in Liverpool.

Paper 1: In search of the American Dream: the USA, 1917–96

This option comprises a study in breadth, in which students will learn about the dramatic political, economic and social transformation of the USA in the twentieth century, an era that saw the USA challenged by the consequences of political, economic and social inequalities at home and of its involvement in international conflict. The focus of study is on developments and changes over a broad timescale and so the content is presented as themes spanning a significant duration: 1917-80. This option also contains a study in depth of historical interpretations on a broad question, which is contextualised by, and runs on from, the themes: what impact the Reagan presidency had on the USA in the years 1981–96.

Paper 2: South Africa, 1948–94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’.

This option comprises a study in depth of South Africa during its transition from white minority rule to the free elections of 1994, a long, and at times, dramatic process in which South Africa changed from an apartheid state into a multi-racial democracy. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the creation and consolidation of the apartheid regime by the National Party and the response and methods used by their political opponents in the struggle to overthrow apartheid, as well social, economic and cultural changes that accompanied this process.

Paper 3: Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors, 1485–1603

Together, the breadth and depth topics in this option explore the nature of rebellion and disorder under the Tudors and the way the various challenges were met, the nature of change in government over the period and the changing relationship between the Crown and key sections of society. The option enables students to explore the way in which, despite a shaky start, the Tudors were able to establish their dynasty as one of the most powerful England has seen.

Coursework: The abolition of the Slave Trade

The purpose of this coursework is to enable students to develop skills in the analysis and evaluation of interpretations of history in a chosen question, problem or issue as part of an independently researched assignment. The focus is on understanding the nature and purpose of the work of the historian. Students will be required to form a critical view based on relevant reading on the question, problem or issue. They will also be specifically required to analyse, explain and evaluate the interpretations of three historians on the topic of the abolition of the British Slave Trade in 1807.

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in History consists of three externally examined papers and coursework. Students must complete all assessment in May/June in any single year.

Unit. Overview of Assessment Breakdown of marks

Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations Written examination, lasting 2 hours 15 minutes.

Students answer three questions: one from Section A, one from Section B and one from Section C.

60 marks/ 30%

Paper 2: Depth study Written examination, lasting 1 hour 30 minutes.

Students answer two questions: one from Section A and one from Section B.

40 marks/ 20%

Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth Written examination, lasting 2 hours 15 minutes.

Students answer three questions: one from Section A, one from Section B and one from Section C.

60 marks/ 30%

Coursework Students complete a single assignment on a question set by the centre.

The assignment will assess the ability to carry out a historical enquiry, analysing and evaluating historical interpretations, and organising and communicating the findings.

40 marks/ 20%

History GCSE at Grade 5 or above if studied at GCSE.

Careers

History can open the door to a wide variety of careers and not just the obvious ones. Apart from being very interesting, history is very practical and teaches you vital skills that employers value. The skills you will obtain through studying History will be useful in a number of careers, either directly related to history (e.g. historian, archaeologist, museum Curator, teaching, tour guide, archivist, conservationist, heritage sites) or in areas such as journalism, law, politics, business, editing and publishing, tourism, research, libraries, national and local government and the civil service.

University Courses

You can progress to higher education courses such as an honours degrees in History, or to degrees in related subjects such as Politics, English Literature, Economics, Archaeology or Geography; or to vocational qualifications such as the BTEC Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Media (Journalism) or in Travel and Tourism.

Links with other subjects

History compliments a number of subjects, particularly English Literature, Geography, Sociology, Business, Economics and Languages. It is vital to understand the historical context of events, people, societies and literature in order to understand developments in world affairs and economics.