History

Assessment

In the first year, students will study ‘In Search of the American Dream: the USA, 1917–96.’ This topic is a breadth study of American History in which students will study four key themes in order to gain an overview of political, social and economic change and aspects of cultural change in the USA across the time period. Students will consider the changing political environment under each President, the quest for civil rights of different minority groups, changing society and culture for women, immigrants and the youth, and the changing quality of life as a result of economic developments. Student’s will also study ‘India, 1914–48: the Road to Independence’. This unit comprises a study in depth of the transitions of the Indian sub-continent from colonial rule to independence. The gaining of Indian independence influenced both the nature of civil rights campaigning and the desire for national self-determination throughout the world. In a world that is at times seemingly more divided upon matters to do with imperialism and colonialism, this unit encourages pupils to consider the impact of British rule on India. Grounded in an exploration of source material in its historical context, students will develop an in-depth understanding of the changing relationship between Britain and India, from the outbreak of the First World War, to the achievement of independence for the Indian sub-continent, and of the reasons for this, with particular reference to how nationalist groups grew and how they progressed. In the second year, students will study ‘Poverty, Public Health and the State 1780–1939’. Students will explore the ways in which the British state gradually, and not always successfully, became involved in taking on responsibility for people’s health and welfare. This happened in reaction to a rapidly industrialising society, where thousands of people lived out their domestic and working lives in close proximity. The scale of the problem posed a question that is still asked today: where does responsibility for health and welfare lie – with the individual or with society? Finally, students will also complete coursework on a historical study on the Vietnam War. The purpose of the coursework is to enable students to develop skills in the analysis and evaluation of interpretations of history. Students will be required to form a critical view based on relevant reading on the question, problem or issue. They will also be specifically required to analyse, explain and evaluate the interpretations of three historians.