Aims of the 'A' level syllabus:

The aims of the syllabus are to stimulate interest in and to promote the study of History:

1. through the acquisition of an understanding and a sound knowledge of selected periods or themes;
2. by consideration of the nature of historical sources and the methods used by historians;
3. through an acquaintance with the variety of approaches to aspects and periods of History and a familiarity with differing interpretations of particular historical problems;
4. by promoting an awareness of change and continuity in the past.

Objectives of the 'A' Level Syllabus:

The objectives of the examination are to test candidates' proficiency in the following skills:

1. the ability to make effective use of relevant factual knowledge to demonstrate an understanding of an historical period or periods in outline and of particular topics in depth;
2. the ability to evaluate and interpret source material as historical evidence and to demonstrate facility in its use;
3. the ability to distinguish and assess different approaches to, interpretations of, and opinions about the past;
4. the ability to express awareness of change and continuity in the past;
5. the ability to present a clear, concise, logical and relevant argument.

The AS and A2 syllabus are taught as discrete modules, so that students can elect to take their AS exam at the end of the Lower Six after following the 3 AS modules. They can also follow the full A2 syllabus by continuing with the three A2 modules in the Upper Sixth.

Content

Term 1

• The Crisis of Autocracy, Russia 1905 - 1917
• China in Revolution

Term 2

• The Triumph of the Bolsheviks? Russia 1917 - 1929
• China in Revolution

Term 3

• Revision for Units One to Three

Term 4

• Containing Communism? The USA in Asia 1950 - 1973
• The Cold War 1945 - 1991

Term 5

• Britain and Decolonisation 1870 - 1980
• The Cold War 1945 - 1991

Term 6

• Revision

Assessment

The students are assessed during the course by means of regular essays and documents marked according to the AS /A2 criteria.
In addition there are periodic tests, internal exams each December and June and mocks in March of Year 13.

Since 2007 all modules will be assessed by exam with each unit having its own specific focus and method of examination. Students will have been regularly exposed to practise past papers to prepare them for the specific demands of each unit exam.