history

AS/A2 History

Why choose History at Carmel?History is a fascinating and challenging subject. You will be looking at massive changes andanalysing why they happened. It is not just an account of the past but an investigation of whythings happened the way they did. If you have an enquiring mind and enjoy argument this isthe subject for you.

Be a part of the thriving, lively and successful department and learn about events that haveshaped the world you live in and the people and circumstances that shaped these events.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

There are 4 modules, 2 studied at AS and 2studied at A2. The course will cover avariety of nineteenth and twentieth centuryworld issues, ranging from nineteenth andtwentieth century Russian history to theUSA’s involvement in the VietnamWar.Lessons will vary from whole class to groupbased sessions and there will be manyopportunities for individual research.

AtAS Level the first module focuses onBritain, 1906-1951. This provides anoverview of a period of rapid and significantchange affecting British politics, society andthe economy. The module will be essaybased. The second module will centre onthe USA and Vietnam, 1961-1975. It is asource-based paper focussing on theproblems faced by the United States, bothat home and abroad, as a result ofincreasing involvement in Vietnam.

AtA2 Level you will study ‘From Defeat toUnity, Germany 1945-1991’. This unit isessay based and is designed to promote anunderstanding of change and continuity,incorporating the division of Germany andits subsequent reunification at the end of theperiod. The final module is a courseworkunit analysing the modernisation of Russia,1855-1964.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

There are two exams at AS Level: the first tobe taken in January of the first year and thesecond to be taken in the June. At A2Level, there will be one exam to be taken inJune of the second year, with thecoursework elements to be completed byEaster of the second year. You will beassessed throughout the year with regularpoints and essay tests checking subjectknowledge and past paper questionsassessing the skills required for eachmodule.

AASS//AA22 HistoryEXAM BOARD: AQA

What is the History department like?From September 2009, History students have been studying in the newly built teachingblock which provides a modern and spacious, state-of-the-art learning environment.Facilities include two well resourced classrooms equipped with interactive white boards,multi-media projectors and wireless internet connection. The department’s resourcesinclude access to a computer suite, in addition to a wide range of DVDs and softwareresources specifically related to the course contents.

Each student will have their own copy of one or more textbooks which will be kept until themodule is completed. Furthermore, students will be directed to a wide range of usefulwebsites, specialist articles and an extensive range of books in the Library.

MARIA BROMLEYHead of Department

BERNIE EVANSHistory Tutor

KATE GREAVESHistory Tutor

meet thestudentsmeet thestudents

meet the tutorsmeet the tutors

EMILY GARNERSt Gregory’s

Studying: History, GraphicCommunication, Psychology

In History I have enjoyed exploringthe different histories of a variety ofcultures and engaging in in-depthstudies of admirable famousfigures. I have also visited Berlinwith the History department whichenhanced my studies of Germanhistory. Carmel has provided mewith a wide range of choices andopportunities, allowing me to focusand develop my abilities. Thefacilities here are also veryimpressive and I have met somebrilliant people. After I leave I willcontinue my education at theUniversity of Leeds.

How can I enrich my History studies?Lectures by specialist historians are available on a variety of topics and these will bebooked either for the whole group or just for those who are interested. Local and foreignvisits will also be offered to enhance your understanding of the modules. At AS Level,trips to the Imperial War Museum North, Berlin and Auschwitz are offered, whilst at A2there is the potential for a visit to Russia. All visits will be subject to sufficient interest andavailability. In addition to this, ‘History Through Film’ has proven to be a popular choice forstudents as an Enrichment option. This has involved students watching a variety of worldfilms, ranging from This is England’s portrayal of Britain during the 1980s, to MississippiBurning’s graphic account of the Civil Rights’ Movement in America. Each film, chosen bythe students, is researched in terms of its historical context and then reviewed by thegroup. Cinema visits are also arranged whenever historically relevant films are released.

WHERE DOES THIS COURSE LEAD?

History is a very versatile subject. Ofcourse you can, and we hope you will,progress to a History or a History relateddegree (for example Politics, Archaeologyor American Studies). Such a degree canlead to career opportunities that are broaderthan you may think; for example, law,television, research, politics, journalism,publishing, business and management…the list is endless!

However, for many students their finalcareer may not be directly related to theirdegree (this goes for most subjects) andwhat will matter is the quality of your degreeand the fact that History is a highly valuedand respected subject because of the skillsit teaches.

Regardless of your future career, an interestin History demonstrates to a future employerthat you are open-minded, can makedecisions based on evidence, and areinterested in the world around you. You willalso develop transferable skills such asanalysis, evaluation, organisation andpresentation of information orally and inwritten form.

WHAT SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE?

Throughout your course you will besupported fully by the department both inand outside the classroom. Lessons will bevaried to suit different learning styles andthere will always be opportunities forquestioning, reinforcement and individualhelp. If individual problems with content orskills are identified then individual or grouptutorials will be available on a weekly basisor you may ask for help at a different time.You will be given your own “minimumexpected grade” very early on and this willenable you to see if you are progressing tothe best of your ability and set targets.

All work is marked thoroughly showingclearly what you should do to improve yourgrade. Poor scoring work can beresubmitted.

History students standing in front of theBerlin Wall

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ROBERT MCFAWN

Wade Deacon

Studying: History, French, German,Maths

I have thoroughly enjoyed studyingeach of the four modules in Historyand developing both myunderstanding of British and WorldHistory and the use of analytical andcritical skills. I have been reallyimpressed by the quality of thefacilities available at Carmel tostudents of all subjects and thededication and enthusiasm thattutors have for their subjects.Students are always pushed toachieve the very best that they can.When I leave I plan to go on to theUniversity of Nottingham to studyModern European Studies, enablingme to continue my study of Historyand Languages to degree level.

Sachsenhausen Concentration CampWatch Tower

How successful are Carmel’s History students?

Frequently AskedQuestionsDO I NEED TO HAVE STUDIEDHISTORY AT GCSE LEVEL?

No, as long as you have good writing skillsand are enthusiastic.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD HISTORYSTUDENT?

An enquiring mind, an ability to see manysides of an issue and an enjoyment of reading.

Auschwitz visitHistory students, Alex Ellis and SarahDunning, were given the opportunity tobecome involved in the HolocaustEducational Trust’s ‘Lessons fromAuschwitz’ Project. This thought provokingventure involved their attendance at twoseminars outside of college, plus a day visitto Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The iconic watchtower of Birkenau

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Number of Entries

75

39

93

46

94

60

A*-C

85%

74%

76%

78%

69%

93%

Overall Pass Rate

100%

100%

99%

100%

100%

100%

A/S

A2

A/S

A2

A/S

A2

2008

2009

2010

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HEATHER KERNOT

St Edmund Arrowsmith,Whiston

Studying: History, English Literature,Philosophy, Psychology, CriticalThinking

I am enjoying studying History at ASLevel and covering different topicsthan those at GCSE. It’s morechallenging but you develop yourability to communicate your ideasand opinions more effectively. Formy Enrichment option I chose‘History through film’ which helpedme to better understand the topic ofNazi Germany. Carmel providesmore freedom than school and youare more independent. There aregreat facilities such as the Libraryand student work bases where youcan go and get your work done andthere’s also support if you need it.

moreinformationmoreinformation

The detailed course specification isavailable from the AQA Exam Boardwebsite:

www.aqa.org.uk

Alexanderplatz, East Berlin