History
Edexcel
History is the study of the world around us and how it came to be what it is today. We deal with huge ideas and issues such as power, war, conflict, racism, change, reform and revolution, exploring different societies and ideas from 1000AD right up to the 1990s.
History is also one of the most useful subjects to study to prepare you for future courses and careers. If you were to Google the most respected subjects among top universities, you will find that History is always held up as one of the very best – try it yourself and see!
Although university may seem like a long way off at this point, the benefit of studying History at GCSE is that it teaches key qualities that will help you in later life. You will develop really useful skills like research, debate and analysis. It’s no surprise that History graduates can be found at the top of a wide range of professions, including making up a proportionally huge 10% of all directors of top businesses. History is therefore one of the most useful subjects to study, as well as being one of the most interesting.
The key units in this course are as follows:
Unit 1 (1HI0 /10-12) – Medicine in Britain, c1250–present
andThe British Sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches
Unit 2 (1HI0/20-29) - Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 and Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91
Unit 3 (1HI0/30-33) Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39
From the roots of British greatness under Elizabeth I, through the development of modern medicine, to dictatorship, war and conflict in the twentieth century, this course offers something for everyone. To study GCSE History, you will need an interest in the past and a willingness to work hard so that your teachers can support you in being successful in this exciting and varied course.
Assessment
Unit 1 combines a long-view thematic study with a focus on a particular historic environment. Assessed by a 1hr 15 exam, it includes long, short and source-based answers. Worth 30%.
Unit 2 covers a British depth study together with a period of international history. Assessed by a 1hr 45 exam, it includes long and short answers. Worth 40%.
Unit 3 is a modern world depth study. Assessed by a 1hr 20 exam, it includes source work. Worth 30%.
For further details about this course please contact Miss S McDowell, Head of History.