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Why study History?
Studying history is an opportunity to time travel but it also helps us understand and make sense of the world we live in now. We are forced to face the complexity of human nature and the range of economic, political, social and cultural forces, which influence the behaviour of individuals. Students of History are forced to look at the world through the eyes of others and to analyse and assess evidence before making judgements.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow Edexcel specification for history.
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2.
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS unit 1 is called ‘Study in breadth’. Students cover two topics and answer a question on each topic in the final exam. The two topics we cover are; Revolution to Autocracy; Russia, 1880-1924 Pursuing Life and Liberty: Equality in the USA, 1945-68
Revolution to Autocracy; Russia, 1880-1924 We look at the Political, Economic and Social conditions in Russia at the time and ask why Russia was so difficult to govern and why opposition to the regime was beginning to develop. We investigate the 1905 Revolution, the October Manifesto, the creation of the Dumas, the outbreak and impact of the First World War and the fall of the house of Romanov. We try to come to some conclusions about why Tsardom collapsed. We then go on to examine the reasons for the Bolshevik take over, focusing on the weaknesses of the Provisional Government, key events like the return of Lenin and the Kornilov Rebellion and finally try to draw some conclusions about reasons for Bolshevik success. Finally, we consider why the Bolsheviks were able to survive in the face of significant opposition. We cover the decrees, Brest-Litovsk, the collapse of the Constituent Assembly, the Civil War and NEP. The topic ends with the death of Lenin.
Pursuing Life and Liberty: Equality in the USA, 1945-68 Although the topic begins in 1945 we begin with an overview of slavery and racial equality in the USA and investigate the significance of some key individuals. We look at the impact of the Second World War on US society and Black Americans. We assess the significance of the following events; Brown v Board of Education, the Montgomery bus boycott, Selma, the freedom rides, the March on Washington and the Meredith Marches. We ask questions about different approaches to protest within the movement and amongst the authorities and think about the role of the more radical movements which emerged at the end of the 1960s. Although the topic officially ends in 1968 we finish by drawing some conclusions about racial equality in the twenty-first century US and the wider world.
Unit 2
AS unit 2 is called the ‘British Depth Study’. It is now compulsory for students to study a significance amount of British History. The topic we cover is; Britain and the Nationalist Challenge in India Although the topic officially begins in 1900 we begin with the Mutiny and the establishment of the Raj. We think about reasons for Indian discontent and changing British attitudes towards reform culminating in the Morley-Minto Acts. We look at the impact of the First World War on Britain and on Nationalist Movements within India. We then move into the 1920s and study, the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, The Amritsar Massacre, the role of Gandhi, Nehru and other leading nationalists and the significance of the civil disobedience. We evaluate the British responses, culminating in the Round Table Conferences and the 1935 Government of India Act. Finally we investigate the impact of the Second World War on Britain and India, the appointment of Mountbatten as Viceroy, the final plans for Independence and the partition. Although the topic ends in 1947 we finish by considering the wider process of decolonization and Britain’s contemporary relationship with its former colonies. This Unit is source based so students will have access to a wide range of sources and plenty of opportunities to develop their source evaluation skills.
Unit 3
For A2 unit 3 we have chosen ‘A World Divided: Superpower Relations, 1944-1990’. This is an investigation of the Cold War from its origins up until the final collapse of communism. The focus of the unit is historical controversy; why and how have historians disagreed in their interpretation of the Cold War?
We begin by reviewing the differences between communism and capitalism as systems and reasons for conflict between the USSR and the USA before 1944. We look at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, the Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe, the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan and the Russian response to them. We investigate the reasons for and the significance of the Berlin Blockade, the signing of Nato and the increasing polarization of the globe.
We go on to study the post-Stalin thaw and the bid for peaceful coexistence: Khruschev and the responses of Dulles, Eisenhower and Kennedy. We explore the development of the arms race and its culmination in the Cuba Crisis. We look at Sino-Soviet relations, the confrontations in Asia and the US response to those confrontations.
We assess the extent of Détente in the late 60s and early 1970s, the SALT talks and Helsinki accords. We consider the impact of Reagan and Gorbachev in the 1980s and analyse the factors behind the eventual collapse of communism.
Throughout the course we will be evaluating the views and interpretations of historians. In the examination students will answer two questions ; the first question requires students to come to a substantiated judgement on a historical problem, the second requires them to come to a substantiated judgement based on analysis of source material and their own knowledge.
Unit 4
A2 unit 4 is a coursework unit . It is based on the topic ‘Challenging Authority: Corresponding Societies to the Poll Tax 1815-1992.’ We begin with an overview of the theme and the period. This involves looking at: The impact of industrialization; protest movements in the early nineteenth century; the 1932 Reform Act; the Chartist Movement; Model Unions and New Unions, emerging in the late nineteenth century; Industrial Relations on the eve of the First World War; the impact of the General Strike; Consensus politics and its breakdown in the 1970s; the Winter of Discontent; the Poll Tax.
How is each unit examined?
Unit 1
Students sit a one hour, twenty minute examination. They will answer two essay questions; one on each of the topics they have studied. This examination accounts for 25% of the A level.
Unit 2
Students sit a one hour, twenty minute examination. They will answer two essay questions; both based on a selection of sources. The examination accounts for 25% of the A level.
Unit 3
Students sit a two hour examination. They will answer two essay questions; the first question requires students to come to a substantiated judgement on a historical problem, the second requires them to come to a substantiated judgement based on analysis of source material and their own knowledge. This examination accounts for 30% of the A level.
Unit 4
This is a coursework unit. Part B (which we do first) will be based around the question – ‘Assess the significance of popular pressure in bringing about change in the period.’ We will do a great deal of preparation and skills work before students begin writing. They will have the opportunity to refine the question if they wish. Question A requires students to assess the significance of a particular individual in whom they have developed an interest. Students will choose their own individual and will be given guidance and support as they research and write up their responses. The deadline for coursework is March. The word limit is 4,000 words. The coursework accounts for 20% of the A level.
How is the course structured?
At AS, we take a chronological approach, starting with Russia. After this, we move on to Britain and India and our final topic is Civil Rights in the USA. After the Easter break we embark on an intensive programme of revision and examination practise.
In the A2 year, we begin with the coursework unit. This is for two reasons: firstly, so that students have plenty of time to complete it and secondly because Unit 3 is the most challenging of all the A level units. After Christmas we start Unit 4.
When do the exams take place?
AS students sit their examinations in June. There will be opportunities to resit AS units in January of the A2 year. Coursework must be submitted in March and students sit Unit 3 in June of their A2 year.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Joanna Budden
(BA (Leeds), History (HoD), Politics (HoD))
Joanna has a BA in History from Leeds University. She taught English abroad for some years before completing a PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is also an examiner for Edexcel. Joanna enjoys travel and the great outdoors.
Beyond A Level for History Students
History is a highly regarded A level and is an excellent foundation for further studies in Law, International Relations, other Humanities subjects and History itself. However, students with History A level may well go on to pursue media, journalism or business related courses and careers and it is sometimes a third or fourth option for those aiming for medicine.
Any other information
It is not necessary to have GCSE history, in order to study AS history but it is helpful. History is a text-based subject and a good standard of literacy is essential. Students should be prepared to read around the subject.
Textbooks
AS
Title - Reaction and Revolutions: Russia 1894-1924
Author - Michael Lynch
Web link - www.amazon.co.uk/Reaction-Revolutions-Russia-1894-1924-History/dp/0340885890/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1275389326&sr=1-1-fkmr1
Title - India 1900-47
Author - Rosemary Rees
Web link - www.amazon.co.uk/1900-47-Heinamann-Advanced-History-Heinemann/dp/043532778X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275389463&sr=1-1
Title - Civil Rights in the USA 1945-68
Author - Vivienne Sanders
Web link - www.amazon.co.uk/Civil-Rights-1945-68-Access-History/dp/0340965835/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275389694&sr=1-27
A2
Title - Europe and the Cold War, 1945-1991
Author - David Williamson
Web link - www.amazon.co.uk/Access-history-David-Williamson/dp/0340907002/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275389783&sr=1-4
Title - Mastering Modern British History
Author - Norman Lowe
Web link - www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Modern-British-History-Palgrave/dp/0230205569/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275389884&sr=1-1
Other Resources
Title – The Russian Revolution
Author – Graham Derby
Title – A People’s History of the United States (selected chapters)
Author – Howard Zinn
Title – The Origins of the Cold War
Author – Martin McCauley
Title – The Cold War
Author – John Lewis Gaddis
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