history

You will investigate the following intriguing areas of History:

• Democracy and Dictatorship: Germany 1890-1945 including studies of Weimar and Nazi Germany.

• Health and the People, c1000-present day.  This is a 1000-year development study on Medicine and Surgery Through Time.

• The Cold War in Asia 1950-1975 includes case studies of the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

• A British Depth Study on the Norman Conquest including a site study.

History at KS4 develops highly skilled Historians through rigorous, engaging and enquiry based learning. Guided through carefully chosen topics, Historians learn the key skills they need to explore significance, cause and consequence, change and continuity, and use of evidence to support their hypotheses. All lessons are carefully designed to incorporate the detailed subject knowledge required to be successful in the course and to develop their examination skills in extended writing. In all units studies learners will acquire depth of historical knowledge, develop their written communication and the ability to analyse both primary and secondary sources of information.   

The course is open to everyone who enjoys learning about the past and wants to develop their understanding of the present.   You have studied History in Cohort 7 and 8 and have a good idea of what to expect in the learning sessions.  If you enjoy learning about the past and relish a challenge, then this course will be suitable for you.

History is a very popular subject at GCSE and A Level.  The syllabus that we study will broaden your understanding of the world from c1000 to today.  The skills that you will develop in analysing and interpreting evidence, using sources and creating persuasive arguments are all vital skills. History is a very rigorous subject and all work is extended essay writing, so take this into consideration when choosing this option.

The structure of the course has been outlined below with sample/questions/areas of study?

Cohort 9 

Democracy and Dictatorship: Germany 1918 - 1945

• What was Germany like under Kaiser Wilhelm II?

• Was the Weimar republic doomed from the start?

• What impact did the Treaty of Versailles have on Germany?

• Why was Hitler able to dominate Germany by 1933?

• How did the Nazis control Germany 1933 – 1945?

Health and the People: c1000-present day.

• What was ancient Medicine like?

• Did Medicine go backwards during Medieval times?

• Was the Renaissance a new start for Medicine?

• Was there a revolution in Medicine during the Industrial Revolution?

• A study of modern Medicine including comparing the Covid pandemic to past epidemics.

• What factors have influenced the development of medicine and health over time? 

Cohort 10

Conflict and tension in Asia, 1950-1975 The Cold War, Korea and Vietnam

• How did the Cold War start?

• Causes and Events of the Korean War

• Causes and Events of the Vietnam War

• Why did the USA withdraw from Vietnam?

Cohort 11

• British Depth Study: Norman England c.1066-c.1100

• Causes of the Norman Conquest

• The events of 1066 including the Battle of Hastings

• Maintaining and establishing control in England

• Life in Norman England

• The Norman Church and Monasticism

• A Study of the Historic Environment (including a potential trip to a site of Norman history, such as a castle or cathedral) 

Learners will sit two exams. All work is extended essay writing, so take this in to consideration when choosing this option.  We are studying AQA GCSE History 8145.

Paper One – Democracy and Dictatorship: Germany 1890-1945 and Conflict and Tension in Asia 1950-1975.

Paper Two – Health and the People and Norman England.

Parents, 6th Form recruiters, colleges, universities and employers regard History as a challenging and worthwhile subject. It will, obviously, allow you to continue with History at A Level and beyond.  History is the most common subject amongst lawyers and barristers, due to the skills you use with sources and evidence. It is also very useful for a variety of careers including the media, banking, libraries, teaching, civil service and journalism to name but a few!

Mrs Sorapure, Subject Leader for History (rsorapure@honywoodschool.com)