Open Ticktock, Youtube or Instagram and reel after reel screams their history-making headlines at you. But are they real or AI fake? A recent Harvard study says most young people cannot tell the difference. 

How can you tell if you are receiving information, misinformation, or even deliberate disinformation? 

History will give you the tools to make your own informed judgments on these questions. Whilst students explore the key historical issues outlined on this page, there is a great emphasis on the development of transferable historical skills such as acquisition of knowledge, synthesis of information, evaluation of evidence and analysis of significance. 

What do words/terms like dictatorship, invasion, war, treaty, intolerance, persecution, or economic depression mean to you? 

How else can you make sense of the present unless you have a good understanding of the past? How are you going to participate in the system if you don’t know how it works? For the deep thinkers amongst you, history is the key to that door.

Paper 1 - Core content and depth study (2h)

Paper 2 - Source skills (1hr 45 min)

and

Coursework - a 2000 word significance essay.

Why study History?

“Historical awareness should be an essential part of the education of all young people” according to the Council of Europe. 

If you want to be knowledgeable about current affairs or learn to distinguish between fact and fiction or be your own judge about human affairs around you, let the Garden International School syllabus open for you a window into humankind’s 20th Century past.  It could well be a peep into your own 21st Century future!

History can give you the skills many employers want - whatever the job you have in mind, be it in business, accountancy, law, mass communications, journalism, science, advertising, etc.

Studying history can help you become a better thinker and problem solver, as well as understand the world better.

Is History difficult?

History can be a challenging subject because of the complex interdependence of factors that affect the issues or events studied. However, such challenges make the subject incredibly interesting and rewarding. Your own commitment and the support of your teachers enable our students to thrive in History. In recent years, GIS students have been 'Best in the World' and 'Best in Malaysia' at Igcse and A-Level. Our results put our students well above global averages.

Does it involve essay writing?

The exams require a mixture of short and long answers; you will be required to compose detailed responses to questions, that describe, explain, and assess factual material relating to the course. A key skill that you will develop in History is being able to structure a coherent argument. Coursework is a 2000 word essay completed mainly in class time and this is well supported to ensure students manage a strong level of attainment.

What periods would we study?

The Paris Peace Settlement and the Treaties following World War One

The Successes and Failures of the League of Nations during the interwar period

The Collapse of International Peace in the 1930s

The USA: 1919-1941 - Depth Study 

The Cold War