A2 History

AS/A2 HISTORY

Edexcel (1-2 years)

Course Content

At AS level, students will have a choice of either:

Early History 15th - 16th Century


Unit1: Historical Themes in Breadth

England in the Middle Ages and the Transition to the Early Modern World

• The Wars of the Roses 1455-85
• The Reign of Henry VII 1485-1509

Unit 2: British History in Depth

• Henry VIII â€" Authority, Nation and Religion 1509-1540

OR

Late History 20th Century

Unit 1: Historical Themes in Breadth

A World Divided: Communism and Democracy in the 20th Century

• Stalin's Russia 1924-1953
• Pursuing Life and Liberty: Equality in the USA 1945-1968

Unit 2: British History in Depth

• British Political History 1945-90: Consensus and Conflict.

At A2, on both early and late courses, you will have the opportunity to study a topic that has attracted particular controversy amongst historians (Unit 3). For your coursework (Unit 4) you will carry out an investigation which covers a 100 year period.

• Late students will study the Cold War in Unit 3: A World Divided: Superpower Relations, 1944-90. Unit 4 coursework will be on the Making of the Modern China 1900-2000.
• Early students will study the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I in Unit 3: Protest, Crisis and Rebellion in England 1536-88. Unit 4 coursework will be on The Golden Age of Spain, 1474-1598.

Both the Early and the Late course are taught and examined in the same way. They both cover political, social and economic aspects but of two very different periods.

The Late course involves a study of change and upheaval across four different periods and four different countries. In the Early course, religious change and the exercise of power by the monarchy in England are the main topics covered.

You should choose which period interests you most. It is not possible to change from one course to another when starting A2.

Methods of Teaching

• Class discussion and debate with use of Smartboard.
• Exercises to clarify, analyse and supplement the material which students have researched.
• Evaluation of contemporary sources and analysis of historical interpretations.
• Videos and slides are used when appropriate.
• Computer software packages
• History intranet pages on syllabus-related topics for student-centred learning

Methods and Patterns of Assessment

Year 1

• Unit 1: 50% AS written examination 1 hour 20 minutes (25% of total A Level mark)
• Unit 2: 50% AS written examination 1 hour 20 minutes (25% of total A Level mark)

Year 2

• Unit 3: 60% A2 written examination 2 hours (30% of total A Level mark)
• Unit 4: 40% A2 coursework assignment (20% of total A Level mark).

Financial Implications

Visits to conferences and subscriptions to magazines and journals may be offered to students. These, however, are optional. Students are required to buy certain text books and resource booklets (cost approximately £30 per year). The department will supply other books and resources.

The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who have difficulty meeting these costs.
Career Possibilities
History is useful for any career, which involves researching and analysing information and expressing arguments based upon evidence. Good examples of this are careers in the Civil Service, banking and accountancy, politics, social and business administration, teaching, journalism, law, public relations and personnel management.