: A Level History
Exam Board: AQA
Download Leaflet (PDF)Further information available from: Mr Lloyd
Course requirements: Grade 5 in GCSE History, Grade 5 or higher in GCSE English Language or English Literature and 3 in GCSE Mathematics.
The History Department’s A-Level History course consists of three fascinating and contrasting modules: Tudor Britain from Henry VII to Elizabeth I, Germany: Democracy to Nazism, and a Personal Study (either an independent research project on Russia: terror and reform from the Romanov’s to Khrushchev, or a study of African-American Civil Rights: from Lincoln to King).
Unit 1: Breadth Study – Tudor England: 1485-1603 (1C)
This component provides an overview of the leadership and challenges of the Tudor Dynasty – from establishing their legitimacy during the War of the Roses, through to the consolidation years under Henry VII and Henry VIII, right up to Edward, ‘Bloody Mary’ and the triumph of Elizabeth I. Key themes include the nature of politics; challenges of foreign and domestic policy, continuity and change across the Tudor monarchs; the relationship between religion, politics and monarchy, and changes to the economy and society.
Unit 2: Depth Study – Democracy and Nazism: 1918-1945 (2O)
This option focuses on a period of German history during which democracy gave way to terror and dictatorship. It gives students an opportunity to expand their understanding of 20th century European History from their studies at GCSE level through an in-depth review of Germany and fascism. Key issues include the concept of Fascism; the role of war and clash of ideologies between democracy, communism and Fascism; the factors responsible for Hitler coming to power and the establishment of the police state; efforts to transform Germans into Fascists through totalitarian ideology and the role of Hitler’s decision in 1939 to initiate WWII – leading to the Holocaust, and eventual collapse of the regime.
Unit 3: A Personal Study
The History Department’s personal study allows students to focus on a choice from two of the following: the first examines the change and continuity of the Russian regimes: from the Romanov imperial family, through to Lenin and Stalin, culminating in the Cold-War dictator Khrushchev. Students examine change and continuity through the lens of the different leader’s attempts to use terror and reforms to control the Russian people. The second is the development of Civil Rights in USA, from 1865 to 1965. This is primarily based around the work of two historians, Charles Payne and Steven Lawrence. The core argument will focus on the significance of individuals in achieving Civil Rights (such as Martin Luther King), versus the intervention of Government – under leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson.
| What’s Assessed? | |
| Units 1 and 2 | Unit 3 |
| 2 hour and 30-minute written exam 80 marks Three questions (one compulsory) Each exam is 40% of the overall mark | 4500 word personal study – 40 marks 20% of overall mark Marked by teachers, moderated by AQA |