History A-Level

Course summary

FOCUS ON STUART BRITAIN AND AMERICA Unit 1 Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1646 Breadth Study This option examines the reigns of James I and Charles I up to the abolition of the monarchy in 1649. It begins with the problems faced by the ‘foreign’ King James on the death of Elizabeth I and examines the importance of the personality of the monarch in the early modern period. Disputes between King and Parliament over finance, religion and foreign policy are discussed as students examine the events that led to civil war and set the scene for Charles’ execution and a ‘world turned upside down.’ Unit 2 The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1963 Depth Study This option provides a study of the challenges faced by the USA at home and abroad as it emerged from the Second World War as a superpower. For many Americans, post-war prosperity realised the ‘American dream’ but the prosperity was not shared by all. Through the presidencies of Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy it explores concepts such as American identity at home and abroad, social equality and civil rights. It also encourages students to reflect on the nature of democracy, protest and the power of the media. This A Level offers you the chance to explore three ‘superpowers’ of the modern age: Great Britain, Russia and China. This challenging and fascinating course allows you to study the rise and fall of ‘great’ nations, the development and competition between capitalism and communism and the nature of power, empire and imperialism. It will inspire and enrich you, ensuring you develop a deeper understanding of the world both as it was and as it is. FOCUS ON BRITAIN, RUSSIA AND CHINA This A Level offers you the chance to explore three ‘superpowers’ of the modern age: Great Britain, Russia and China. This challenging and fascinating course allows you to study the rise and fall of ‘great’ nations, the development and competition between capitalism and communism and the nature of power, empire and imperialism. It will inspire and enrich you, ensuring you develop a deeper understanding of the world both as it was and as it is.