SE A Level Course Guide Nov 2021 Final

History AQA

H I S TO R Y

History in the Sixth Form provides a rich opportunity to extend knowledge of the subject if pupils enjoyed studying History at IGCSE or on the Perspectives course. All pupils study British and non-British history from the Early Modern and Modern period. The strength of this approach is that it establishes an appreciation of diverse contextual periods from the past and develops the range of skills required to meaningfully analyse the issues studied. The rigour of this approach provides suitable challenge to succeed at A level and purposeful preparation for studies at university. The course consists of three units in the following format: • Component 1 – Breadth Study – The study of significant historical developments over a period of around 100 years and associated interpretations. • Component 2 – Depth Study – The study in depth of a period of major historical change or development and associated primary evidence. • Component 3 – Historical Investigation – A personal study based on a topic of student’s choice (3,500-4,500 words).

The following topics are studied:

Component 1CTheTudors: England, 1485–1603 Assessment: Examination – 2 hours 30 minutes Part one: consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty: England, 1485–1547 • Henry VII, 1485–1509 • Henry VIII, 1509–1547 Part two: England: turmoil and triumph, 1547–1603 • Instability and consolidation: ‘the Mid-Tudor Crisis’, 1547–1563 • The triumph of Elizabeth, 1563–1603

Component 2QThe American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980 Assessment: Examination – 2 hours 30 minutes Part one: prosperity, inequality and Superpower status, 1945–1963 • Truman and Post-war America, 1945–1952 • Eisenhower: tranquillity and crisis, 1952–1960 • John F Kennedy and the ‘New Frontier’, 1960–1963 Part two: challenges to the American Dream, 1963–1980 • The Johnson Presidency, 1963–1968 • Republican reaction: the Nixon Presidency, 1968–1974 • The USA after Nixon, 1974–1980

The topics above have been selected to provide pupils with a rich history that explores significant issues such as the role of women in government, religious conflict, political instability, social equality, ethnic identities, democracy in a pluralist society, political protest and the power of the media. The course is designed to help students understand the significance of historical events, the role of individuals in history and the nature of change over time. The qualification will help pupils to gain a deeper understanding of the past through political, social, economic and cultural perspectives. In the Sixth Form, all History pupils are members of the Blenheim Society which hosts leading historians to deliver lectures in school. Professors John Watts, Kathy Burke, Avi Shlaim and Michael Lynch have given recent talks and pupils are encouraged to participate and ask them questions. The society also includes forums, discussions and talks about various subjects, such as the nature of medieval heresy, sixteenth-century witchcraft, nationalism and the Rwandan genocide. History at Sixth Form is also highly respected by universities. It is a subject that is recommended for university courses such as Law, English, Sociology, Politics, PPE and other subjects that require good analytical writing skills. The skills you develop in analysis, presentation, research and critical thinking are invaluable for several careers as well. Many lawyers, journalists, marketing specialists, politicians and linguists studied History at Sixth Form and succeed in their industries due to many of the skills gained from studying History.

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