History

P E Crookes, MA
Mrs R M Crookes, BA
S Edwards, BA M.Phil (Head of Politics)
Mrs E L Harrison, MA (Head of History)
A J Morrison, BA

Why History?
This subject is a popular and highly successful option. A-level History may lead to University admission to read for a History degree. This intellectual training also facilitates entry into the wide range of careers open to all graduates. Those careers which allow the continued use of expertise and information obtained in a History course include all levels of teaching, archive administration, art gallery and museum curatorships and, for those qualified in archaeology, senior positions in excavation units and in local government planning offices.

History A-level (or degree level) is highly regarded and sometimes almost essential as a foundation subject for many other careers, particularly in the professions. Law, journalism, librarianship, management, business and administration, banking, the Civil Service, valuation surveying and the Armed Forces are some areas where History is a recognised background subject.

History is a good A-level subject to combine with English, Modern Languages, Politics, Economics, Geography and Mathematics. History is recognised as an excellent discipline by universities and employers alike. The philosophy behind the creation of the AS levels was to enable students to retain arts subjects like History alongside Science/Mathematics A-level options and we have had some very successful Science/Mathematics students achieving high standards in, and enjoying, their History over a number of years.
 

The Course
History is the study of man’s past as revealed by various forms of evidence including documentary sources, archaeological remains (ancient and recent), oral tradition and geographical factors.
A-level History aims to develop a student’s powers of analysis and criticism through evaluation of certain historical evidence. This involves the use and interpretation of both primary and secondary sources. The student acquires an appreciation of why events happen as well as basic facts, develops an understanding of the significance of these events in history and learns to see them from the point of view of contemporaries.
The ability to assess, evaluate, express and discuss many and varied concepts and ideas is vital in today’s society. Methods of teaching include role-plays, seminars, document work and group presentations. There will also be increasing use of student or peer-assessed work and evaluation. The ability to carry out independent research or learning will also be developed and encouraged. History remains one of the leading or main subjects which develops critical awareness and intellectual curiosity.

Specification Summary
The Lower Sixth year AS level course consists of 2 units. Unit 1 exam papers will be 1 hour 15 minutes and Unit 2 papers will be 1 hour 30 minutes.


Unit One
Students will study one of two periods either:
Britain, 1483 – 1529 where the theme is: “How effectively did the early Tudors establish and consolidate their monarchy?”
Or
The Crusading Movement and the Latin East, 1095 – 1204 where the theme is: “How did the motives for the Crusades and the success of the movement change during this period?”

Unit Two
Students will again study one of two periods, either:
The impact of Chairman Mao: China, 1946 – 1976 where the theme is: “To what extent did Mao Zedong transform China in the years between the start of the Civil War in 1946 and his death in 1976?”
Or
Anti-Semitism, Hitler and the German People, 1919–1945.  This unit provides an opportunity to investigate Hitler’s impact on German attitudes and policies towards the Jews.

The Upper Sixth year A2 level course again comprises two units: Unit 3 and Unit 4.

Unit Three
The two periods are likely to be one modern period: Triumph and Collapse: Russia and the USSR, 1941 – 1991 and an earlier period, namely: The Angevin Kings of England: British Monarchy, 1154 – 1216. A modern option in Unit 3 is offered alongside a medieval one deliberately to broaden the periods of History that can be studied at Yarm School. This should hopefully ensure a balanced scheme of work and experience in History for students, offering students a “university-style” of syllabus content.

Unit Four
The Historical Enquiry coursework unit. This unit opens up the possibility of introducing more taught periods of History to Sixth Form students. Several periods of history will be taught in Unit 4, depending on teacher interest and specialism. Students are then able to choose a topic of interest to turn into a coursework study.

Departmental Strengths
The History Department and the school library are well equipped with A-level text books and with a variety of audio-visual resources. The teaching staff throughout the Department are well-qualified, enthusiastic, and have a proven record of strong examination results with significant numbers of students going on to University each year to read History.
 

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