Aims

To introduce and develop the facts and ideas that will enable you to make progress toward the four main Assessment Objectives. These are as follows:

• AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.

• AO2: Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts (i.e. similarity, difference, consequence, cause, significance)

• AO3: Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied.

• AO4: Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations (including how and why interpretations may differ) in the context of historical events studied. 

Course Content

The main teaching areas are as follows:

• Paper 1: Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000-present and Whitechapel, c 1870-1900: Crime, policing and the inner city. 

• Paper 2: Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88 AND Superpower relations 1941-95.

• Paper 3: The USA 1954-75: conflict at home and abroad, including US involvement in the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement.

Assessment Structure

•  Paper 1 - Thematic study and historic environment (30% of total mark).

This is a thematic essay & source based paper, with a focus on producing balanced, analytical responses. They will be assessed on AO1, AO2 and AO3 skills. It is a 1 hour and 20 minute exam, split into two parts. Section A is focused on Whitechapel, with 3 questions including a source utility question. Section B is focused on Crime and Punishment through time 1000-present day, with 3 questions including a 20 mark essay. 

• Paper 2 - Period study and British depth study  (40% of total mark).

This is a depth & breadth study paper which is an essay based paper and is designed to enable students to produce short and long answer questions. They will be assessed on AO1 and AO2 skills. It is a 1 hour and 50 minute exam. This will test the work done on Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88, with 3 questions including a 16 mark essay. In addition, the second section will test students on Superpower relations 1941-95 (also known as the Cold War).

• Paper 3 – Modern depth Study (30% of total new mark).

This is a depth study based on the US at home and abroad. It is predominantly source based. They will be assessed on AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4 skills. It is a 1 hour and 30 minute exam. Students will evaluate sources from historical archives as well analyse historical interpretations from the Civil Rights era of the United States and the Vietnam War (1964-75.) There is a 20 mark essay focused on historians interpretations.

You need to

• Be interested in the past and how it has shaped the present.

• Have an interest in the course topics we study.

• Be able to form and express your own opinions.

• Keep up with the set work.

 For further information, see Ms Poynter (Head of History )