AS / A2 History

Examination Board: Edexcel

Course Content
Aims: to encourage students to:

  • Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for history and an  understanding of its intrinsic value and significance.
  • Acquire an understanding of different identities with society and 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 .
  • To 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:
The AS course consists of two units:

  • Unit 1:  Russia in Revolution, 1881-1924: From Autocracy to Dictatorship Stalin’s Russia 1924-53.
  • Unit 2: Poverty, Public Health and the growth of government in Britain, 1830-75.
  • The A2 course consists of two units:
  • Unit 3: From Kaiser to Fuhrer: Germany, 1900-45.
  • Unit 4: The Changing Role of Women, c1850-c1950.

Assessment

AS—Unit 1: written exam (1 hour 20 minutes); Unit 2: written exam (1 hour 20 minutes).
A2—Unit 4: written exam (2 hours); Unit 4: Internal Assessment based on two extended essays

Specific Requirements

It is not necessary for students to have studied History at GCSE in order to take AS or A2 in this subject, but if they have, at least a grade B should have been achieved in History.  Students who have not taken GCSE in History should have achieved at least a grade B in a similar subject.

Costs
These conferences cost approximately £10 each and there would be a maximum of one per year. Students will be required to buy textbooks for each of the four units which will cost approximately £20 per unit.