History KS5
The department follows the GCE specification introduced by the WJEC in September 2009. This consists of a Period Study (applicable to HY1 and HY4) based on European History 1879-1989 and an In-Depth Study (applicable to HY2, HY3 and HY4) based on BRITAIN, c. 1929 – 1939.
Aims and Learning Outcomes
This AS/A level GCE specification encourages candidates to:
- develop their interest in and enthusiasm for history and an understanding of its intrinsic value and significance;
- acquire an appreciation of social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity through the study of aspects of British and non British history;
- build on their understanding of the past through experiencing a broad and balanced course of study;
- improve as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds;
- develop the ability to ask relevant and significant questions about the past and to research them;
- acquire an understanding of the nature of historical study, for example, that history is concerned with judgements based on available evidence and that historical judgements may be provisional;
- develop their use and understanding of historical terms, concepts and skills;
- make links and draw comparisons within and/or across different periods and aspects of the past;
- organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in different ways, arguing a case and reaching substantiated judgements.
Content Requirements: For AS candidates are required to choose one period study and one in-depth study. For A level candidates re-visit the same period study and in-depth study.
The content of the course is divided into 4 units of study outlined below
UNIT HY1 (AS): PERIOD STUDY 8
ASPECTS OF THE HISTORY OF EUROPE, c.1878-1989
General topic 1: International relations, c.1878-1920
Key issues include Great Power rivalries; the establishment of alliances and ententes; the causes of World War I; international relations during the war; the Peace Treaties at the end of the war.
General topic 2: Italy, c.1918-1944
This examines several key issues. The appeal and popularity of Italian Fascism; the character and personality of Mussolini; Fascist ideology and use of propaganda; domestic and foreign policies; opposition to Italian Fascism and reasons for the collapse of Italian Fascism.
General topic 3: The Communist Revolution in Russia, c.1917-1941
Key issues include the Bolshevik seizure of power; Lenin and the development of his ideas; the civil war, war communism and the New Economic Policy; Stalin and the purges; Stalin’s industrial and agricultural policies; Russia’s foreign relations to 1941.
UNIT HY4 (A Level): PERIOD STUDY 8
ASPECTS OF THE HISTORY OF EUROPE, c.1878-1989
General topic 1: International Relations, c.1918-1945
Key issues include Reconciliation and rivalry post-1918; the establishment of international agreements; the background and causes of World War II; developments in international relations during the war; Yalta and Potsdam.
General topic 2: International Relations, c.1945-1989
Key issues include the reasons for the post-war division of Europe; Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe; the origins of the Cold War in Europe, 1945-1949; European economic co-operation and moves towards integration; Co-existence and détente.
Outline theme 1: Germany, c.1878-1989
Key issues include the Political System in Imperial Germany; the impact of The First World War on Germany; the establishment of the Weimar Republic; the challenges to democracy in the 1920s and early 1930s; the establishment of the Nazi State; Developments in Germany post-1945; the collapse of the Berlin Wall and re-unification
Outline theme 2: Russia, c.1881-1989
Key issues include Tsarist rule in Russia; Social and economic changes in Russia to 1914; The impact of World War I on Russia; The Revolutions of 1917; The setting up of the Bolshevik state; Communist rule under Stalin; Changing control in the Soviet Union from Khrushchev to Andropov; The implications of glasnost and perestroika.
IN-DEPTH STUDY 5:
UNIT HY2 (AS): BRITAIN c.1929-1939
Key Issues include the formation of the National government; Financial crisis and onset of depression; Popular and official reactions to social hardship and unemployment; The rise of minority parties; Developments in popular culture, religion, sport and the media; The changing lives of women.
UNIT HY3 (A Level)
This unit is assessed internally. It is centre-set, teacher marked and externally moderated. The assignment produced must be of between three and four thousand words.
The focus of this unit is British Foreign Policy, specifically the Czech Crisis 1938.
UNIT HY4 (A Level)
General topic 1: British foreign policy, c.1929-1939
Key issues include Britain’s foreign policy position in 1929; Baldwin and foreign policy; Britain and the League of Nations; Chamberlain and foreign policy; Appeasement; The Munich agreement; British reaction to the German invasion of Czechoslovakia; The outbreak of war.
General topic 2: Depression and Recovery, c.1933-1939
Key issues include Britain’s social and economic position in 1929; The location and extent of social hardship and unemployment; Popular reaction to social hardship and unemployment; Government responses to the depression; The signs of recovery in the late 1930s; The impact of the Depression on the people of Britain.
SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT
AS Level: The AS is the first half of an A level course. It will contribute 50% of the total A level marks. Candidates must complete the following two units in order to gain an AS qualification.
HY1: Written Paper (1 hour 30 minutes)
This is worth 60% of the AS and 30% of the A level.
Candidates are required to answer two two-part structured questions from a choice of three, from three nominated areas.
HY2: Written Paper (1 hour 30 minutes)
This is worth 40% of the AS and 20% of the A level.
Candidates are required to answer one set of questions, graded in difficulty, and focussed on historical sources, from a choice of two.
A Level: The A level specification consists of two parts: Part 1 (AS) and Part 2 (A level). Part 1 (AS) may be taken separately and added to A2 at a further examination sitting to achieve an A level qualification, or alternatively, both the AS and A2 may be taken at the same sitting. Candidates must complete the AS units outlined above plus a further two units to complete A level History. The A2 units will contribute 50% of the total A level marks.
HY3: Internal Assessment
This is worth 20% of the A level.
Candidates are required to complete one personal assignment, between three and four thousand words in length, focusing on a specific historical problem or issue arising from the in-depth study [see above]. The personal assignment will be internally set, centre marked and moderated by the awarding body.
HY4: Written Paper (2 hours 30 minutes)
This is worth 30% of the A level.
Candidates are required to answer one open-ended essay question from a choice of two, from two nominated areas, arising from the period study. They are also required to answer one synoptic open-ended essay from a choice of two, from two nominated areas, arising from the period study. Candidates are also required to answer one open-ended essay from a choice of two, from two nominated areas, arising from the in-depth study. Unit 4 assesses aspects of both the Period Study and the In-depth study.
Further information can be found on the WJEC website (http://www.wjec.co.uk). From the homepage of the WJEC website select subject History and search A level.
How parents can best support the students
Parents can best help in the following ways:
By ensuring that attendance is good at all times
By occasionally and tactfully asking your daughter/son for progress reports
By supporting the student during completion of homework assignments and by encouraging her/him to read the texts and articles supplied
By allowing them to watch TV documentaries relevant to their course shown on terrestrial TV (or SKY if you have it)
By letting us know in the Department if there is any cause for concern at any stage over the 2 years the course lasts.
