National 4 History

Why study this course?

History lends itself to the development of literacy skills, particularly reading comprehension and analytical writing. In this course the learner will develop an understanding of key issues and events related to Scotland, Britain and the wider world. These skills lead to progression on to National 5 and Higher courses.

Course Structure

The Course entails 3 areas of study:

Scottish History: The Era of the Great War, 1910-1928

· Scots on the Western Front

· The Impact of War on Society and Culture

· The Impact of War on Industry and the Economy

· The Impact of War on Politics

British History: The Atlantic Slave Trade, 1770-1807

· The Triangular Trade

· Britain and the Caribbean

· The Captive’s Experience and Slave Resistance

· The Abolitionist Campaigns

European and World History: Free at Last? Civil Rights in The USA ,1918-1968

· The “Open Door” Policy and Immigration , to 1928

· “Separate but Equal”, to 1945

· Civil Rights Campaign, to 1968

· The Ghettos and African American Radicalism

There are a wide variety of approaches used in teaching this course, including debates, independent reading linked to class discussions, and guided question and answer tasks. This process will give a sound grasp of the knowledge and understanding related to these topics, and aids the development of sound analytical skills through looking at a variety of sources.

Course Assessment

All 3 areas of study are internally assessed. The learner will be fully prepared for this through ongoing question practice as the course progresses. There is also an Added Value Investigation as part of the course requirement. In this, the learner will choose their own question, research this topic and present their findings in a chosen medium, such as PowerPoint, essay, portfolio, report or presentation.

Gaelic Medium Option

Eachdraidh (History) is available as a Gaelic Medium option.

Pupils in Gaelic Medium Education are encouraged to study subjects through Gaelic in order for their Gaelic skills to continue to develop. There are increasing career opportunities for people with good Gaelic skills. Studying History through the medium of Gaelic would be a good option for anyone wanting to pursue a career where Gaelic is an essential or desirable skill.