History AS and A Level

Is this subject right for you?

• Are you interested in the past in its own right and as a means of understanding the present?
  
  
• Do you enjoy argument and debate and are comfortable with â€OEbetter interpretations†rather than â€OEcorrect answers†?
  
  
• Are you prepared to undertake extensive individual reading and research?

Why study this subject?

History has never been so popular. The dawning of a new millennium and the popularity of TV series like the BBC†s â€OEA History of Britain†have illustrated our interest in the past and our desire to learn lessons from it. We hope studying history at BHASVIC will fuel your enthusiasm in a similar way.

History is fascinating in its own right, full of intrigue, and stories of heroism, revolution and conflict. Our courses allow you to learn about some of the greatest personalities and most significant events of the past: William the Conqueror, Cromwell, Lenin, Mao Tse Tung, the Crusades, the English Civil War, the rise of communism, the carnage on the Western Front in the First World War and US involvement in Vietnam. History is also invaluable in making sense of the present - learning from the past, searching for patterns and understanding why things happen and what significance they have. At BHASVIC history will always be made relevant to you.

History is an analytical subject and if you enjoy asking questions, arguing your point and arriving at your own judgments then you will be well suited to it. Lessons reflect this. We place a lot of emphasis on discussion and debate, encouraging you to develop your own skills and to think independently rather than just learning factual material.

A level history is very highly regarded by universities and employers. Historians are prized for their ability to gather and analyse information, express themselves clearly and, most of all, for their independence of mind. A large percentage of past BHASVIC History students have gone on to university and then taken prestigious posts in the media, business and the legal professions.

Whether you study history purely for pleasure or for the highly respected qualification you get at the end we can promise you a stimulating and enjoyable time.

What is the course content?
We offer two distinctive History courses.

Modern History: â€OEWarlords and Cold Warriors: The Modern World
in Conflictâ€
This builds on fascinating 20th century topics you may be familiar with from GCSE History but introduces you to new themes that have helped shape the society in which we live:

Year One - AS Unit OneCrises, Tensions and Political Divisions in China, 1900-49 & Ideology, Conflict and Retreat: the USA in Asia, 1950-73
Unit TwoThe Experience of Warfare in Britain: Crimea, Boer and the First World War, 1854-1929

Year Two -A2 Unit ThreeA World Divided: Superpower Relations 1944-90
Unit FourThe Making of Modern Russia 1856-1964 [Coursework]
MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN HISTORY: "Conquest, Crusade and Civil War. England and Europe in the Medieval and Early Modern Eraâ€
This provides an exciting alternative for students who want to study medieval and early modern history.

Year One - AS Unit OneThe Norman Conquest and its Impact on England 1066-1135 & The Angevin Empire 1154-1216
Unit TwoCrown, Parliament and Authority in England 1588-1629

Year Two - A2 Unit Three Revolution, Republic and Restoration: England 1629-67

Unit Four Crusading Europe 1095-1204 [Coursework]
How is the course assessed?
A range of assessment matches the preferences of all our students. At AS the emphasis is on examined units. At A2 one unit will be assessed by coursework â€" an element of which you choose to research for yourself. At all stages throughout the course you will be shown how your work relates to the examination objectives and will be advised about strategies to improve your performance.

What are the entry requirements?
History is an open access subject. The general entry requirements for studying at Advanced level apply, and a grade C in English GCSE is preferred. Please note: you do not need to have studied GCSE History to follow the A level course.

Other information
We firmly believe that much can be learned from seeing history in action. This is why, in addition to your normal lessons, we aim to provide the opportunity for conferences and visiting speakers to bring the subject alive. Foreign trips have recently been taken to Germany, Poland, Russia [where we visited the historical sites of Moscow and St Petersburg] and Italy, focusing on the classical and renaissance treasures of Rome.

10/09