History

Course summary

History at A Level seeks to build on and develop the key skills that are learned during the IGCSE course. OCR A Level History provides the opportunity for a wide breadth of study and offers students the opportunity to delve into and engage with many fascinating periods. The Department has an enviable track record in terms of both results and university entrance. What Will I Study? 1. British Period Study and Enquiry. A range of topics from British History between 1846 and 1918. These include the formation of the Liberal Party, Gladstone, Disraeli, Salisbury and the Conservative Ascendancy, Political issues 1900-14 including the Growth of the Labour Party, Social issues 1900-18 including the introduction of welfare measures by the Liberal government and Britain at war 1914-18. One of the topics is a designated specialist enquiry topic. 2. A non-British period study worth 15% of the overall marks. This will be on the development of British hegemony in America, the Causes of the American Revolution, the American Revolution 1774-1783 and the early American Republic 1783-1796. 3. A Thematic study and historical interpretations, Russia and its Rulers 1855-1964. The unit comprises a thematic study over at least 100 years, and three in-depth studies of events, individuals or issues that are key parts of the theme. Students will develop the ability to treat the whole period thematically and to use their detailed knowledge of the depth study topics to evaluate interpretations of the specified key events, individuals or issues. This study focuses on the nature of the Russian government and its impact on the Russian people and society. Students should understand the similarities and differences between the autocratic rule of the tsars in 1917 and the subsequent Communist dictatorship. 4. A topic-based essay of 3,000 to 4,000 words on a topic of your own choice, which may arise out of content studied elsewhere in the course and must be approved by the Board. The essay should explain and analyse different perspectives on clearly–-stated historical issues, drawing on a range of primary and secondary material. This is submitted and marked in the Senior Sixth and this is a nonexamined assessment.