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A Level History Years 12 & 13

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Specification

AQA - The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/history/as-and-a-level/history-7041-7042

Aim

To encourage pupils to develop their interest in and enthusiasm for History, and an understanding of its intrinsic value and significance. Pupils will build on their understanding of the past through experiencing a broad and balanced course of study which looks at both British and European History.  Over the two years pupils will develop the ability to ask relevant and significant questions about aspects of the past and understand that history is concerned with judgements based on evidence, and that judgements may conflict or change over time.

By the end of the course pupils will have developed into independent learners and researchers and as critical and reflective thinkers.

Methods of Teaching & Learning

At A Level pupils will use historical terms, concepts and skills and make links and draw comparisons across different time periods or national boundaries.  Pupils will be taught through a variety of methods, including whole group lectures, as well as tutorial style work for individuals and small groups.  Pupils will be encouraged to learn through independent study, particularly with the Historical Investigation module at A Level. 

Qualities and Qualifications Needed to study History In The Sixth Form

It is expected that pupils will have at least a grade 6 in History at GCSE or a grade 6 in their English GCSE.   Pupils need to be good at essay work, source evaluation and willing to work independently.  The most important quality needed is the willingness to work, ask questions and take ownership of your learning.

Why Study History?

By studying History pupils will gain an understanding of the past and also of the world around them.  The subject furnishes the student with valuable skills for a variety of future careers, provides a context to enable us to understand developments in the modern world and is a fascinating study in its own right.  Today’s events – the coalition government, economic depression, involvement in conflicts in the Middle East – all have historical antecedents.  The study of History enables us to place the modern world in an intelligent context and to understand the events of our time.  Knowledge of current affairs is often an essential skill sought by employers and tested at job interviews.  The History student usually impresses with his broad understanding of the background to modern political and social events.

History is a subject which is highly valued by both employers and universities due to the many transferable skills pupils will develop.  In fact the Russell Group universities view History as a “facilitating” subject i.e. one which is frequently required by universities and is seen as having prepared students for degree level study.  They described History as “particularly effective in equipping students with the skills they need for a large number of competitive courses and in increasing a student’s chances of getting on to those courses."  History is a subject which complements Arts subjects and gives a good balance for students.

Paper 1 - Breadth Study: The British Empire, c1857–1967 (1J)

This paper will be a written examination worth 40% of the History A Level and will last 2 hours 30 minutes.  There will be 3 questions and a total of 80 marks for the paper. The content of the paper will be:

Part One:
  • The High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857–1914.
  • The development of Imperialism, c1857–c1890.
  • Imperial consolidation and Liberal rule, c1890–1914.
Part Two:
  • Imperial Retreat, 1914–1967.
  • Imperialism challenged, 1914–1947.
  • The winds of change, 1947–1967.

Paper 2 - Depth Study: Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945 (2L)

This paper will be a written examination worth 40% of the History A Level and will last 2 hours 30 minutes.  There will be 3 questions and a total of 80 marks for the paper. The content of the paper will be:

Part One:
  • The Crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926.
  • The Crisis of Liberal Italy, c1900–1915.
  • The Collapse of Liberal Italy and Mussolini’s Rise to Power, 1915–1922.
  • Mussolini and the establishment of Fascist Italy, 1922–1926.
Part Two:
  • Fascist Italy, 1926–1945.
  • Fascist society, 1926–1940.
  • Fascist foreign policies, 1926–1940.
  • Fascist Italy and war, 1940–1945.

Paper 3 - Historical Investigation

This should take the form of a question in the context of approximately 100 years. It must not duplicate the content of options chosen for the breadth and depth study.  We currently study the period 1558 to 1642 examining the long and short term causes of the English Civil War.  Pupils must include different historians’ viewpoints and three primary sources to support the arguments made. The Historical Investigation will be between 3000 and 3500 words and will be worth 20% of the History A Level.  It will be marked by teachers and moderated by the examination board.

Year 12

Subject Area: British and European History

Key topics to be taught this year:

The British Empire 1857-1914

Italy and Fascism 1900-1926

Causes of the English Civil War

  Topic Further details about the topic Skills
Autumn Term
1 The British Empire - Development of Imperialism 1857-1890

The six key themes – expansion of the Empire, imperial policy, role of individuals, role of economic factors, impact on British attitudes and culture, response of indigenous peoples

Note making

Essay writing

Discussion

2

Mussolini – Crisis of Liberal Italy 1900-1915

Collapse of Liberal Italy 1915-1922

Political, economic and social condition of Italy

As above
Spring Term
1 The British Empire - Imperial Consolidation and Liberal Rule 1890-1914

The six key themes – expansion of the Empire, imperial policy, role of individuals, role of economic factors, impact on British attitudes and culture, response of indigenous peoples

As above
2

Mussolini – The establishment of Fascism 1922-1926

Mussolini’s rise to power and consolidation of the Fascist party

Revision

Exam before may half term

Summer Term
1

Rise of Parliamentary Power 1558-1624

Charles I

Coursework Option

Independent Learning

2

Religious tensions 1558-1624

Economic problems 1558-1624

Coursework Option

Note making

Essay writing

Discussion

Year 13

Subject Area: British and European History

Key topics to be taught this year: The British Empire 1914-1967

Italy and Fascism 1926-1945

  Topic Further details about the topic Skills
Autumn Term
1

British Empire - Imperialism Challenged 1914-1947

The six key themes – decline of the Empire, imperial policy, role of individuals, role of economic factors, impact on British attitudes and culture, response of indigenous peoples

Research skills

Source analysis

Essay writing

Independent study

2

Mussolini – Fascist Society 1926-1940

Political, economic and social policies

As above
Spring Term
1

British Empire – Winds of Change 1947-1967

The six key themes – decline of the Empire, imperial policy, role of individuals, role of economic factors, impact on British attitudes and culture, response of indigenous peoples

As above

2

Fascist Foreign Policy 1926-1940

Fascist Italy and War 1940-1945

Diplomacy and foreign policy actions

As above
Summer Term
1

Revision

Revision of both the Breadth and Depth studies

As above

Assessments

Resources Topic Type of assessment
CAT 1 Mussolini and the British Empire Essay
CAT 2

Mussolini and the British Empire

Essay
CAT 3 Mussolini and the British Empire

Mock examination

CAT 4

Mussolini and the British Empire

Essay
CAT 5

Mussolini and the British Empire

Mock Exam

Essay

Main Resources

Resource Details
Set texts

Fascist Italy

The British Empire

Recommended reading

The British Empire: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) 

The Rise and Fall of the British Empire by Lawrence James 

The Lion's Share: A Short History of British Imperialism by Bernard Porter

Empire by Niall Ferguson

Modern Italy by Martin Clark

Recommended Websites

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk

http://www.history.org.uk/

Jeremy Paxman – Empire DVD (available on Amazon) or Youtube - BBC Empire Episode 1 A Taste for Power - YouTube

Pod Casts

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00547kp - The British Empire 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03ffkfd - The Berlin Conference 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rykqd - The Zulu Nation 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qprnj - The Indian Mutiny 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0054906 - East India Company 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00548jd - Slavery & the Empire 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00548h4 - Cultural Imperialism 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p005459p - Legacy of the Empire

Enrichment opportunities

Activity Day and time or term
 Visit to the National Civil War Centre, Newark  
Visit to Bishop Grosseteste Universities to support the teaching of the NEA  
We have close links with the University of Lincoln and the Historical Association, so we usually organise student visits to attend lectures relating to the main components of study  

Where Next

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