History

Course summary

The A Level History Course encourages an in-depth investigation into History and develops necessary skills that complement other subjects studied at A Level. Over the course of two years’ students will cover four units which are explained in more detail below. Within these four units, the students will study a variety of historically significant moments and events, of which most of the focus will be placed on historically significant individuals, societies, issues, and developments that shaped the world of today. These are studied within a broad historical context. Students will also study change, continuity, and development over at least 100 years. By shifting the emphasis of GCSE History firmly to the ‘why’ and ‘how’, alongside the more traditional ‘what’, of the historian’s work, the A Level History course undertaken at EPC represents a distinct and exciting development in the study of history at A Level. It encourages students to explore the theory and methodology of history through the study of four aspects of the subject: theories of explanation and the use and limitations of source materials during Year 12, and of interpretations and historical significance during Year 13. This approach forms a strong foundation for both the study of history at the undergraduate level, and will, in addition, facilitate the development of independent skills such as research and analysis, which have proved invaluable for any post-16 program of study. Year 12: • Component 1: Britain Transformed 1918-79 • Component 2: The USA, 1955-92 Year 13: • Component 3: The witch craze in Britain , Europe and North America c1580-c1750 • Component 4: Personal study