History

There is an old African proverb: people are people through other people. Here at UWCSEA East our IB History programme explores time and place, but also culture and identity. It is an exciting and dynamic course crammed full with human endeavour and economic tragedy; scientific achievement and social polarisation; revolution and terror; truth and reconciliation.

Our history course takes students on a journey across the world of the 19th and 20th century. We begin with World War One, which saw nationalism, imperialism and geopolitical rivalries cause one of the most brutal and futile conflicts in human history. We will look at the failed attempts at peace-making after the war, in particular the hope and tragedy of the Weimar Republic in Germany, which birthed the Nazis. We study the Nazis through to their demise in World War Two. We then enter the era of the Cold War, crossing the Atlantic to explore the passion and romance of the Cuban Revolution, which saw communism and capitalism meet head-on, as Fidel Castro took power. We follow this with a journey to Southeast Asia to another hot spot in the Cold War, as we study the ultimate success of the Vietnamese independence movement in the Vietnam War.

Our journey then loops back around the globe settling in Africa, as we enter the post-Cold War era. Here we will examine human nature once again, and question the Whiggish interpretation of human progress, as we discuss the twin terrors of the Rwandan genocide and the Balkan Wars. The idea of human progress will again be probed, as we look at the nineteenth century decline, and then twentieth century rise, of two East Asian superpowers, Japan and China. Both countries were second- rate international powers 150 years ago, but have risen from the ashes to become world superpowers. We will study the decline of feudal Tokugawa Japan and the imperial Qing dynasty, and the rise of Meiji democracy in Japan and Mao’s brand of communism in China, asking whether these changes represent progress, and in what direction. Additionally, the internal assessment component allows students to research a historical topic of their own choosing.

Our history programme explores concepts of social justice, democracy, authoritarianism, communism and capitalism, war and peace. We explore the role of machismo and feminism in culture, the role of love and hate in revolution and the role of change and continuity in society. The programme also emphasises document analysis skills, short and extended essay writing, independent research, collaborative projects, debate and discussion, critical thought, balanced judgements, empathy and compassion, and the power of persuasion. It has subject matter that involves issues of credibility, plausibility and probability; and a method of disciplined study that deals in arguments and interpretations, not in certainties.

History helps us to understand the beliefs of other civilisations as well as our own. Just as vitally, it enables our students to reach for our college mission by learning from the past in order to make a better present, and hopefully future.

SL and HL courses share the same core syllabus.

• Part 1: Conflict and Intervention (prescribed subject) – HL and SL students study the following two case studies: the Rwandan genocide and the Balkan Wars.

• Part 2: World History topics – HL and SL students study the two topics: Authoritarian States (20th century) and Causes and Effects of 20th century wars.

HL options – HL students are required to undertake an in-depth study of a period of history. UWCSEA East follows the Aspects of the history of Asia and Oceania with a particular emphasis on: Challenges to Traditional East Asian Societies (1700–1868), Early Modernisation and Imperial Decline in East Asia (1860–1921).

SL external assessment – 75%

• paper 1 (1 hour) – 30%

  • • source-based paper on the prescribed subject: Conflict and Intervention; students will answer four structured questions (24 marks)

• paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes) – 45%

  • • extended-response paper based on the 12 world history topics; students will answer two extended-response questions on two different topics (30 marks)

SL internal assessment – 25%

• Students are required to complete a historical investigation into a topic of their choice (25 marks)

HL external assessment – 80%

• paper 1 (1 hour) – 20%

  • • source-based paper on the prescribed subject: Conflict and Intervention; students will answer four structured questions (24 marks)

• paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes) – 25%

  • • extended-response paper based on the 12 world history topics; students will answer two extended-response questions on two different topics (30 marks)

• paper 3 (2 hours 30 minutes) – 35%

  • • extended-response paper from the selected region: Aspects of Asia and Oceania; students will answer three extended-response questions on three different topics (45 marks)

HL internal assessment – 20%

• Students are required to complete a historical investigation into a topic of their choice (25 marks)