Course Overview
This course will allow you to study the history of the Cold War 1945-91 and Tudors 1485-1603 in great detail. It will also develop your ability to think critically, analyse the nature of historical events, discuss and debate from an informed standpoint and conduct independent research, providing you with a wide range of skills that will aid many careers from journalism, research, education, law and management.
Teaching is in two sessions per week. The course emphasises the development of critical awareness of historical issues, communicating ideas through discussion and group work. Students will be called upon to submit regular homework assignments, give presentations on historical issues and conduct independent research.
What You Will Study
Tudors: England (1485–1603)
This option allows students to study in breadth issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence in this period through the following key questions:
The Cold War (1945-1991)
This unit will develop your understanding of international conflicts and alliances that have shaped the modern world. You will study key events such as the reasons for these tensions between the USA and the USSR, the Berlin Wall, the Cuban Missile Crisis, how other events such as the Korean, Vietnamese and Afghan wars became involved and then ultimately, the collapse of the Soviet Union and communism in Europe.
This will all be studied alongside focus on historical interpretation and research projects which mirror university style investigations.
Independent Historical Enquiry
This unit is your chance to be the historian by conducting your own investigation into Tsarist Russia, the Russian Revolution and Communist life in the early years of the USSR.
This will provide you with an invaluable insight into how the USSR was formed and perfectly complements what you will discover about the later USSR in the Cold War module.
You will be required to research and develop an historical investigation and write a referenced and discursive essay of approximately 3,500 words.
- How You Will Be Assessed
Assessment is by examination in June and coursework submitted in February of the second year for A Level.
There are two written exams at the end of the second year.
- Entry Requirements
5 GCSEs Grade 9-4, including English Language and Maths.
PLUS
Grade 5 in English Language or Literature.
- Further Study
The majority of our students go onto university, many of them studying for a degree in History, Law, English or one of the Social Sciences. There are also combined degrees available in which you can continue with your history studies in combination with another subject of your choice.
History is regarded as a 'facilitating subject' which will increase your chance of progression to a Russell Group University
