History
If you have any further enquiries, please email Mrs Andrea Leforte, Head of History and Politics, at lefortea@salesiancollege.com
Why study History?
Studying History gives you the background to help you understand the issues and events that make the headlines today. A Level History gives you an in-depth knowledge of how societies develop and governments work. It is a subject which will help you understand people and their attitudes, beliefs and behaviour.
What does the study of History involve?
The investigation of controversial questions from the past and the present:
- Did the German people and the rest of the world know about the Holocaust as it was happening?
- What happened to the princes in the Tower of London?
- Is Game of Thrones plagiarised from the Wars of the Roses?
- Was Richard III really a hunchback and a villain?
- Were the Bolsheviks ‘Red Tsars’?
Why at Salesian College?
We offer:
- An examination of how nations and governments have formed over the course of history. We offer a modern course but if you have a desire to examine the medieval era then there is the option within your coursework in Year 13.
- A good record of success
- Challenging and imaginative teaching
- Individual attention for all students
- Support for those difficult moments
- A good-humoured, productive environment
- Trips to Berlin and Northern France to see where events happened and get a feel for how valuable History is regarded in shaping these nations
- A well-resourced department - specialist teaching rooms, texts and books
What does the course involve?
| YEAR 12 - EDEXCEL |
| 1. Russia: From Lenin to Yeltsin 1917-91 This paper is worth 30% of your overall grade. This paper is a synoptic paper so requires you to look at change and continuity over time. |
| 2. The German Democratic Republic, 1949-90 This paper is worth 20% of your overall grade. This paper is a indepth study |
| YEAR 13 |
|
3. The British experience of Warfare |
| 4. Coursework! One essay Worth 20% of your overall mark. |
What is expected from History students?
You should be enquiring, tenacious in rooting out a story, and show the ability to interrogate the past ruthlessly. Historians must be creative, imaginative and above all else rigorous in their deductions.
Skills required
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Historians are clear and effective communicators. You must be able to argue your case orally and on paper. Your writing will help you develop skills in organizing ideas, expressing clear opinions and reaching balanced conclusions. These skills are needed in all sectors of the working environment to produce relevant business reports, to be effective in meetings, to deal with clients and work with colleagues.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Tasks in History will certainly get you thinking. You will learn to clarify issues, to appreciate the wider perspective and conduct systematic and critical analysis of the problem before you.
RESEARCH SKILLS
Historians find information anywhere and everywhere. History teaches how to use information.
History students read the press critically and always seek a full picture of the facts before reaching their conclusions.
What can you study History with at A Level?
History can be combined with ALL subjects. It is a subject with broad appeal and skills which are easily transferable to other subjects, which do include Mathematics and Science. At Salesian College the History Department has always welcomed students who are studying a wide range of subjects.
Do you need to have studied GCSE History? No! However a good grade in English is a prerequisite.
Some students take up the study of History at A Level, discover their natural abilities suit the subject and go on to be very successful.
What can an A Level in History lead to?
Are you interested in any of these careers:
- Politics
- Accountancy
- Computing
- Public relations
- Advertising
- Publishing
- Banking/financial services
- Retail
- Broadcasting
- Leisure
- Journalism
- Management
- Law
If so, then you should be studying History at A Level.
