A Level history

Head of Department: Mr. Aaron Columbus

aaron.columbus@portland-place.co.uk

 History is designed to offer candidates the opportunity to select from a wide variety of periods and topics in English, European and American History from the medieval to the late twentieth century.  It offers candidates the opportunity to study History in length and breadth as well as in depth, to develop expertise in various skills (general as well as historical) and to acquire and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the periods studied. This specification enables candidates to study:

·        significant events, individuals and issues;

·        a range of historical perspectives;

·        the diversity of society;

·        the history of more than one country or state;

·        a substantial element of English history;

·        Continuity and change over a period of time.

This History specification offers both progression from GCSE and significant continuity within A Level. September 2008 will see the introduction of the new A Level specifications. What follows is an outline of these and the topics to be studied.

The Two-Unit AS

The Advanced Subsidiary GCE is both a ‘stand-alone’ qualification and also the first half of the corresponding Advanced GCE. The AS GCE is made up of two mandatory units which are externally assessed and form 50% of the corresponding four-unit Advanced GCE (A Level).

There are 4 units at AS, of which we do 2: either Unit F961: British History Period Studies with Unit F964: European and World Enquiries; OR Unit F962: European and World Period Studies with Unit F963: British History Enquiries – our AS programme will be made up of the F961 and F964 units combination.

The Four-Unit Advanced GCE

The Advanced GCE is made up of two mandatory units at AS and two further units at A2.

There are two units at A2: Unit F965 Historical Interpretations and Investigations (internally set and assessed) and Unit F966 Themes in History (externally assessed).

 These qualifications are shown on a certificate as:

·        OCR Advanced Subsidiary GCE in History A

·        OCR Advanced GCE in History A

Both qualifications are Level 3 in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

The specifications build on, but do not depend on, the knowledge, understanding and skills specified for GCSE History. If a GCSE in History was not gained, then it is recommended that candidates have attained communication and literacy skills at a level equivalent to GCSE Grade C in English.

AS

Unit F961: British History Period Studies

Option A: Medieval & Early Modern 1035-1642 – England under Elizabeth I, 1558-1603

Assessment: essay based paper

 Key Issues

·        What problems faced Elizabeth I in 1558?

·        What was the importance of the court and ministers in government?

·        How far did the nature and role of Parliament change?

·        How successfully did Elizabeth I deal with the issue of the succession?

·        How successfully did Elizabeth I handle financial and economic affairs?

·        How far did the popularity and effectiveness of Elizabeth’s government decline after 1588?

Unit F964: European and World History Enquiries

Option B: Modern 1774-1975 – The USA and the Cold War in Asia, 1945-75

Assessment – document based paper

Key Issues

·        How successfully did the US seek to contain Communism in Asia to 1950?

·        How far did the Korean War and its origins (1950-53) change the US conduct of the Cold War in Asia?

·        Why and with what results did the US become involved in Vietnam to 1968?

·        Why did the US fail to win the Vietnam War?

A2

Unit F965: Historical Interpretations and Investigations (coursework)

There are two elements in the assessment:

·        Interpretations – one piece of set work, up to 2000 words based on the historiography of an area of debate (related to topic studied in F966). This is based around a taught topic, which will be the Cold War in Europe, 1945-56)

·        Investigations – one piece of work up to 2000 words long, comprising a personal investigation by the candidate.

Unit F966: Historical Themes

Option A: Rebellion and Disorder under the Tudors 1485-1603

Assessment – essay based paper

Key Issues

·        Main causes of rebellion and disorder

·        Frequency and nature of disturbances

·        Maintenance of political stability

·        Impact of disturbances upon Tudor governments