History
A Level |OCR
Why study History?
If you are interested in the good and the bad that humanity is capable of; in understanding how the
world we live in has developed the way that it has; in developing informed judgments on current and previous events and in developing skills attractive to all employers, such as reasoning, organising, valuating and communicating then A Level History could be for you.
Extra-curricular aspects of the course
Students studying History will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the periods being studied through visits to museums and conferences. The department holds regular screenings of films to complement the curriculum content and in previous years History students have had the chance to visit London to attend lectures at the British Library. The department also participates in the Holocaust Education Trust 'Lessons from Auschwitz' programme. Students follow a curriculum which involves American History and as such are able to visit Washington to enhance their studies.
Entry Requirements
A GCSE Grade 6 is expected in History. For those who have not studied History at GCSE level, a
Grade 6 in a comparable subject is required, for example Religious Studies or English Literature.
Higher Education and Careers
History will help students develop decision-making skills, evaluation skills and communication skills
which will help them in everyday life. Literacy is integral to the study of History but numeracy and ICT
skills are also developed. Many History students will continue the subject at university, although History A Level is also good training for teaching, law, journalism, politics and languages courses and careers as it is a facilitating
subject highly sought afterby the best universities.
Equipment required for the course
All students require individual lever arch folders for the units they study. They should also be equipped
with plentiful supplies of lined paper, plastic wallets and file dividers.
Assessment
| Year | Unit | Weighting | Assessment |
| 12 |
Britain 1900–1951: This unit focuses on the political and social history of Britain in the first half of the 20th Century. The American Revolution 1740–1796: This unit looks at the establishment of American colonies, the reasons for the War of Independence the events of the revolution. |
40 % of A Level | Written exam |
| 13 | Topic Based Essay: Students complete a 3000–4000 word essay on a topic of their choice, which will arise out of content studied elsewhere in the course. | 20 % of A Level | Coursework |
| 13 | Civil Rights in the USA 1865 –1992: This unit looks the struggle of citizens in the United States to gain equality before the law focusing on African Americans, Native Americans and Women |
40% of A Level |
Written exam |
For more information on this course please contact
Mrs V Kneen
mrskneen@bthcc.org.uk