History

Course summary

The IB History syllabus covers a variety of topics ranging from the Nineteenth to the end of the Twentieth Century. The course examines major historical events in a global context. It is intended that the course will encourage an understanding of the present through critical reflection upon the past. History is also integral in the Theory of Knowledge. Paper 1 considers ‘Civil Rights movement in the USA (1954-1965)’ and ‘Apartheid South Africa (1948-1964)’, and is focused around the study of and interpretation of different documents and source material. Paper 2 is a thematic study, which will consider ‘Origins and developments of authoritarian states’, examining the establishment and consolidation of power in both left and right wing authoritarian states as well as the ideology and nature of these states. Examples include Nyerere, Mussolini, Stalin and Hitler. ‘Democratic States 1848- 2000’ focuses on the evolution and development of democratic multi-party states from the mid-19th century through to the end of the 20th century. Examples include India, South Africa and Germany. Paper 3 is a regional study in which ‘Imperial Russia, revolutions and the emergence of the Soviet Union (1855- 1924)’, ‘European states in the Inter war years (1918-39)’ and ‘Versailles to Berlin: Diplomacy in Europe (1919- 1945)’ will be covered. At Standard Level the pupils will be expected to sit papers 1 and 2 and in addition Higher Level pupils will be required to sit Paper 3. All pupils will also be required to complete an Internal Assessment: an historical investigation into any area of the syllabus of around 2000 words.