History

Subject Introduction

Head of Department: Helen Harris

The aim of the History department at Christ’s is to stimulate a curiosity about the lives of people living in the past. By learning about those who have shaped our local, national and international communities students will develop a sense of their own identity within the world in which they live. This helps to place value on their own and other people’s cultures in modern multicultural Britain. An understanding of the past helps to bring greater understanding of the present; through which students can form their own opinions about the world in which they live, using the mistakes of the past to guide them. We also teach them to investigate these past events and, by so doing, to develop the skills of enquiry, analysis, evaluation, interpretation and problem solving. In order to communicate their ideas, students will learn to write clearly and analytically.

History is an exciting and enjoyable subject to study at Christ’s. Lesson are varied; many are enquiry based to allow students to explore historical evidence for themselves. Other lessons may use media or games to help all ability levels to learn about the past.

KEY STAGE 5 / SIXTH FORM - A LEVEL

The History department follows the Edexcel History GCE specification.

Years 12 and 13

Russia 1917 – 1991
Mao’s China 1949 – 1976
Agitation, protest and Parliamentary Reform in Britain c1780 – 1928
Russian Revolution (coursework)

HOMEWORK

Students will be set a weekly essay, or preparation for an assessment. In addition, they will also be set reading or note-taking where appropriate.

ENRICHMENT & EXTRA-CURRICULAR

The History department organises a number of trips across the school.

Year 12:

Lecture Day on either Russia or China.

Year 13:

National Archives session on Chartism

National Archives session on Suffragettes

CAREERS

The study of History can open doors to a number of exciting career paths. Many politicians, journalists and lawyers studied History at university. History is as a ‘facilitating’ subject and is highly regarded by universities. This is because History develops a number of academic skills that can be applied to a variety of degrees and careers and is therefore an excellent A-level choice.

http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/what-can-you-do-history-degree

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2010/jan/16/history-degree-careers

http://www.allaboutcareers.com/campaigns/what-can-i-do-with-a-history-degree