History

Course summary

The History specification is designed to offer students the opportunity to select from a wide variety of periods and topics in English, European and American History, from the medieval to the late 20th century. It offers students the opportunity to study History in length and breadth to develop expertise in various skills (general as well as historical) and to acquire and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the periods studied. The Tudors: England, 1485–1603: This option allows students to study in breadth issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence. In particular, we focus on the powers of the monarchy and consider how effectively England was governed during this period. The course also investigates relations with foreign powers and the changing nature of English society and economy. Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945: This option provides for the in depth study of a period of German history during which a newly developed democratic form of government gave way to a dictatorial Nazi regime. It explores political concepts such as ‘right’ and ‘left’, nationalism and liberalism, and ideological concepts such as racism, antisemitism, and social darwinism. It also encourages reflection on how governments work and the problems of democratic states as well as consideration of what creates and sustains a dictatorship.