If you decide to continue with your studies in History the syllabus offered at AS and A2 provides a challenging course.  It focuses on aspects of American, British and European History during the 19th and 20th Centuries and the dramatic changes that have taken place.  These have had a major impact on the world in which we live today. With each of the four modules one of the topics areas listed will be studied. The coursework component involves a synoptic overview of one of the topics in Module 4 being covered in lessons prior to students choosing an in depth subject from within the period for the purposes of further in depth investigation in the form of an extended essay of about 3500 words in length.

AS Module 1:  Change and Consolidation
(1 Hour 15 Minutes)
•    Tsarist Russia 1855 to 1917
•    Germany 1871 to 1925
•    Russia and Germany 1871 to 1914
•    Britain 1906 to 1951
•    United States 1890 to 1945

AS Module 2:  Historical Issues:  Periods of Change
(1 Hour 30 Minutes)
•    Britain and Appeasement
•    Italy under Mussolini 1922 to 1945
•    Anti Semitism in Germany 1919 to 1945
•    China under Mao Zedong 1946 to 1976
•    Civil Rights in the United States 1950 to 1968
•    The United States and Vietnam 1961 to 1975
•    A Sixties Social Revolution:  Britain 1959 to 1975

A2 Module 3:  The State and the People:  Change and Continuity
(1 Hour 30 Minutes)
•    Russia and the Soviet Union 1941 to 1991
•    Germany 1945 to 1991
•    Britain 1951 to 2007
•    International Relations 1945 to 2004

A2 Module 4:  Historical Enquiry:  Coursework Component
•    Europe and the Origins of the Two World Wars 1815 to 1941
•    Authoritarianism and Democracy in Spain France and Italy 1870 to 1995
•    Britain and Ireland 1893 to 1998
•    Political Change in Eastern and Central Europe 1903 to 2004

A good grade at GCSE is essential (minimum Grade B) and enthusiasm and commitment are key requirements.  Students must be organised and able to work independently.  You should expect to contribute to class discussion and prepare presentations.  In addition a number of visits are planned and students will be invited to AS and A2 study days.

History combines well with many subjects including English, Modern Languages, Economics and Geography.  The skills developed in studying History at AS and A2 are useful in a range of various occupations.