History

The history department at Liverpool College is a department that seeks to enthuse a love of the past and a respect and understanding of the global history we study

In the last two years history has proven to be one of the most popular subjects at GCSE, AS, A2 and now International Baccalaureate. Our popularity is based upon exciting and enthusiastic teaching as well as the success our candidates enjoy

Each student has an opportunity to travel and see some of the historical sites of Europe and the world. Our Sixth Formers can be found in Red Square, whilst year 7 could be seen on the D Day landing beaches and our GCSE students stuck in the trenches of the Sommes. The trips are exciting additions to our extensive academic programme


KS3 Y7 - Y9

We study in line with the national curriculum but make some valuable additions in year 9. The pupils at year 9 produce a project on World War II and focus on revolutions and their impact on the world


KS4 Y10 - Y11

At Liverpool College the History department follows the AQA Modern World syllabus. This includes:

  • Causes World War One (Y 10)
  • International Relations 1919-39 (Y 10)
  • Germany 1919-39 (Y 11)
  • Russia 1900-53 (Y 11)
  • Britain during both wars (Y 10-11)

AQA Modern World History (B) consists of three units. Unit 1 will be examined at the end of Year 10 with the option to re-sit in Y11. Unit 2 will be examined at the end of Y11. Each exam is worth 37.5% of the overall GCSE grade. Unit 3 will be 'Controlled Assessment' completed during class time (coursework).
Each pupil will complete one piece of coursework of approximately 2000 words. In Year 10 they will answer a question on Britain during World War One and in Year 11 they will work on an assignment based on the Second World War. Coursework is worth 25% of their overall grade and it is vital that students meet the deadlines set.

Pupils should gain skills in many areas, including evaluation, analysis, investigation and judgement. They are taught using a wide variety of methods, including textbook work, DVDs, ICT (the department also has an interactive whiteboard), debate and discussions.

People with a GCSE History can be found in almost any profession. Studying History is a must for those who hope to pursue a career in law.

In the past there have been GCSE trips to Berlin, the Somme and Paris as well as visits to Krakow and Auschwitz.

In History we run extra revision sessions for all GCSE students in Year 11. A senior History Society has also been established that will further enhance the historical skills of students. The History results are consistently excellent and among the best in Liverpool College.

We expect all students of History to give maximum effort. Homework and classwork must be completed to the best of their ability and on time. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they catch up on any work they may have missed. Students must remember that any of the topics that we cover could appear upon their examination.


Sixth Form

A Level

The history department is delighted to introduce the newly amended 4 unit A level syllabus to commence September 2009. The course of study is edexcel AS Level (8H101) and A2 Level (9H101). The students complete two units in the AS year and two units in the A2 year. Examinations will be undertaken in Jan and June of the first and the second year.

Course Content

Unit 1 Historical Themes in Breath - Examination Based.

Option D - A World Divided: Communism and Democracy in the 20th Century.

Examination: January 2010.


Unit 2 British History Depth Studies - Examination Based.

Option A - Early Modern British History: Crown and Authority.

Examination: June 2010.


Unit 3 Depth Studies and Associated Controversies - Examination Based

Option D - The Challenge of Fascism.

Examination: June 2011


Unit 4 Historical Enquiry - Coursework.

Coursework based on the growth of Democracy in Britain in the 19th Century.

It is divided into two parts with a word length of 4000 words max.

The course is designed to enthuse are young historians and foster the key skills associated with A level history. This celebrated A level subject encourages independence of thought and a comprehensive understanding of some of the most critical events in World and British History.

History enjoys great success and popularity at A Level. I have no doubt that the joy of learning will continue and our students will embrace all our high demands and expectations.

Entry Requirement - B grade or above at GCSE

IB

We have always striven to prepare our students for the real world but at the same time to give them the academic credibility and thirst for knowledge that we have become renowned for. History is one of the most popular post 16 subjects and under IB will flourish and excite just as much if not more than the national system does.

Students who pursue IB History at either Higher or Standard Level, along with the historical elements in the Theory of Knowledge course, are well catered for in the variety of themes, issues and regions of the world they may study. The IB syllabus recognizes essential qualities that a student of History needs to acquire, some of which are detailed below in the overall objectives section. The History Department fully concurs with these objectives and seeks to enhance them with a significant programme of activities, trips, discussion groups, international visits and lectures outside the classroom.

Brief synopsis of course outline

Standard level History (common core)

SL: Paper 1

This is a source based paper that requires your own knowledge. Candidates have to read five sources and complete four questions.

Prescribed Subject 3:

Peacemaking, peacekeeping - international relations 1918 - 1936

SL: Paper 2

Topic 1 - Causes, practices and effects of wars

The candidates answer one essay question from this section. They will have five options. Two general questions on authoritarian states and three related to the figures studied.

Chinese Civil War; First and Second World Wars; Korean War; Kenya Mau Mau Rising; Russian Revolution; Russian Civil War.

Topic 2 - Origins and development of authoritarian and single-party states

The candidates answer one essay question from this section. They will have five options. Two general questions on authoritarian states and three related to the figures studied.

The 20th century produced many authoritarian and single part states. The origins, ideology, form of government, organisation, nature and impact of these regimes will be studied.

Cuba - Castro; China - Mao; Germany - Hitler; USSR - Stalin

Historical Investigation

All students whether they do the Standard Level course or the Higher Level course complete Paper 1 and Paper 2 as well as completing a Historical investigation.

The Historical investigation is chosen as an area of interest that the student has. For Standard Level students it accounts for 20% of the final mark. For Higher Level students, it accounts for 25% of the final mark

Higher Level Students

HL: Paper 3

Topics to be studied

Imperial Russia, revolutions, emergence of the Soviet State 1853 - 1924

European diplomacy and the First World war 1870 - 1923

Interwar years: conflict and cooperation 1919 - 1939


History at Liverpool College has enjoyed a renaissance in its success rates and also in the number of pupils undertaking History at post 16 levels. The IB is both an exciting and vibrant course that prepares our pupils for the world beyond Liverpool College.

Mr Stephen Brady
Head of Faculty

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