History

  • Board: Edexcel
  • Syllabus: AS – 8H101; A2 – 9H101
Modules
  1. AS The Expansion and Challenge of Nationalism in Europe – This unit deals with the concept of what makes a nation and concentrates on the creation of the new states of Germany and Italy. We study nationalist movements within the countries, economic developments and the international diplomacy of the period. We also look at the personalities such as Bismarck, Garibaldi, Cavour and Mazzini. Candidates have to answer two essay questions, one on Italy and one on Germany.
  2. Conflict and change in 19th Century Britain - This unit deals with the changes that arose as a result of the three major conflicts involving Britain between 1850 and 1919, including the Crimean War, the Second Boer War and the Great War.
  3. A2 The United States: Challenged and Transformed – This unit is based around the American Civil War. We look at the long term and short term cause of the war, the election of Lincoln and the main conflicts of the war. We also study the Reconstruction period that followed. We deal with slavery, the expansion of America in the 19th century, the politics of the new state and personalities such as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S Grant and General Robert E. Lee.
  4. Historical Enquiry: Coursework – Germany 1890 – 1989 – Candidates have the opportunity to complete 2 x 2,000 (max) word essays in their own time on an overview of Germany and its place in Europe in the 20th Century and the significance of an individual or event as selected by the student in discussion with the teacher. As with Unit 2, this unit requires candidates to select analyse and use both contemporary and secondary sources. Candidates will seek to assess conflicting views of an individual or event.
Method of Assessment

AS 2 exams of 1 hour 20 mins (2 × 25%)

A2 1 written exam of 2 hours (30%) and coursework completed in own time (20%)

Further information

The exams are mainly based on writing essays, though you will also be looking at and commenting on sources. It is not essential to have done History GCSE to do A Level but of course it does help. It would suit those who have done well at GCSE in either English or History or both. There is a fair amount of reading and writing involved, but the best qualification of all is to have a real interest in the subject. That interest will make the A Level a pleasure rather than a duty.

A Level History deals with looking at and solving problems. You learn about decision making and marshalling evidence to support an argument. You do this in History essays which should, with practice, develop clear logical and persuasive statements of a point of view. You compare what people have said in and about the past and evaluate these arguments.

You are enabled not only to develop further an interest in History but learn skills which are applicable in many walks of life. Managers in industry and commerce, politicians, civil servants, barristers and solicitors, journalists and broadcasters, librarians and archivists – all of these professions have more than their fair share of people trained in History. It is an excellent general educational background as well as a sound training for the mind.