PowerPoint PresentationThe A Level History Course
• You will study a variety of interesting topics across a range of ages and countries, but based around a coherent theme of ‘Rights & Revolutions’
• The course is taught in 3 components and assessed using a variety of methods, including written examinations and a coursework NEA across A Level, as follows:
A LEVEL HISTORY @
Breadth Study
Questions
Questions
approximately 100 years.
Marked by teachers &
moderated by AQA
Part 1: Absolutism Challenged: 1603–1649
Stuart Britain & the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702
Part 2: Monarchy restored & restrained, 1649–1702
Part 1: Prosperity, Inequality & Superpower status,
1945–1963
1963–1980
1856-1964
What do I need to know or be able to
do before taking this course?
• To follow this course you should have achieved a general 9-4 profile in your GCSE subjects, including English Language.
• You do not have to have studied History at GCSE in order to take an A Level course in the subject. It is more important that you have an enquiring mind, an interest in the past and its relevance to current affairs and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively and prove an interest in History.
• If you have studied History at GCSE you will find that the skills that you have developed, as well as some of the knowledge you have gained, especially from the USA & Conflict units will form a solid foundation for further study at A Level.
What will I learn on this A Level course?
During your course you will learn:
• About the significance of events, individuals, issues and societies in history;
• To compare aspects of the different societies you have studied;
• How and why societies have changed over time;
• About the theories of historians and the language that they use to discuss their ideas;
• To understand the nature of historical evidence and the methods used by historians to analyse and evaluate it;
• To develop an understanding of how the past has been interpreted and represented;
• To express your own historical ideas confidently and effectively;
What kind of student is this
course suitable for? The course will appeal to students who:
• Have an interest in the way that the world has developed through the ages;
• Enjoy investigation and discovery;
• Enjoy debate and like putting forward a well argued case;
• Enjoy working more independently;
• Want to improve their analytical skills;
• Want to study a subject which encourages them to consider evidence and make up their own minds;
• Want to broaden science A Level studies to include a humanities subject;
• Want to keep their options open. History is widely regarded as a useful qualification for a wide range of higher education or career choices.
What happens during lessons?
• Lessons are conducted on a more informal basis during which you will be:
• Discussing your ideas with your teacher or in a small group;
• Presenting your research in a small group or alone;
• Taking notes using your teacher, articles or videos as stimulus;
• Adding to your research.
What happens outside lessons?
You will be expected to spend at least 5 hours per week on your History work in the form of private study and homework. During this time you will be:
• Researching/preparing for lessons;
• Working on coursework assignments.
Usually an advance deadline for the completion of tasks will be negotiated with your teacher, and effective management of time is thus important.
You should be aware that extra reading is vital to ensure you achieve your full potential at A Level History, and thus is expected to be on-going throughout your course.
What resources will I be able to use?
• The History department is well equipped with the
core texts you will need to read for each unit of
the course;
additional reading material, e.g. books,
journal/magazine articles. The local library is
also a useful source of extra information;
• The Internet has thousands of useful sites.
What opportunities are there for
study outside school?
History Conferences and local lectures
to enrich the course. Students in the past
have found these a rewarding day out - a
chance to listen to professional historians
‘doing their stuff’;
possible.
• Researched and timed essays, as well as
document work, will be marked by your teacher
and feedback given to help you to progress;
• Contributions to class discussion will also help
inform your teachers as to your understanding
and progress;
external examinations and coursework
How can I develop my full range
of skills by doing this course? As well as studying advanced level study of History, this course will enable you to develop some Key Skills, which will be essential to you whatever you go on to do afterwards. The Key Skills you can develop during this course are:
• Communication;
• Improving own learning and performance.
History A Level offers you plenty of opportunities to develop these Key Skills during the course of lessons.
What could I go on to do
at the end of my course? Students who study A Level History have access to a wide range of career and higher education opportunities. By the end of your course you will have learned how to research, evaluate and analyse information, how to weigh up evidence and how to communicate complex ideas effectively. You will have plenty of opportunity to show evidence of your ability to work independently. All these skills are recognised and valued by employers, universities and colleges alike.
History combines well with Maths and Science subjects to create an attractive portfolio of qualifications, enabling students to move on to a university science based course. Combined with English, Sociology, Geography, Drama or a Modern Foreign Language it would provide a good basis for an arts or languages based degree.
History A Level provides an excellent foundation for a number of popular careers including, journalism, law, accounting and business.
A LEVEL HISTORY @
STOWUPLAND HIGH SCHOOL