History S5/S6
History Advanced Higher
Entry Requirements
Students should expect a pass at A, B or C at Higher Grade. A and B grades are obviously preferable, but several students who gained a C pass in Higher have made a reasonable showing at this level.
Course Description
Germany : Versailles to the Outbreak of the Second World War.
This is a study of Germany’s social, economic and political development between 1918 and 1939. It traces the effects of defeat in World War One, the creation of the new Republic and the rise to power of Hitler and the Nazis against the background of various efforts to put Germany back on its feet. The Nazis’ domestic policies (e.g. propaganda and treatment of the Jews) are covered as are the foreign policies which led to World War Two
The course requires students to read widely and work independently.
Assessment
Students are required to research and write a 4000 word dissertation on a specialised subject chosen by themselves. This accounts for one-third of the Advanced Higher Award. The final examination constitutes the other two-thirds of the marks. The exam tests essay skills and the ability to work with sources. Students will also have to pass two formal internal assessments which cover essay writing skills and source handling. Selection and analysis of historical information will also be assessed as students prepare their dissertation.
History Higher
Entry Requirements
Students are expected to have gained one of the following:
- A Grade 1 or 2 at Standard Grade in History
- A Grade 1 or 2 at Standard Grade in Geography
- A Grade B or A in the Int 2 course in History
- A Higher pass in Geography
and
- A Grade 1 or 2 at Standard Grade English is essential
It is possible to start from scratch. Anyone in doubt should consult the Curriculum Leader: Social Subjects.
Course Description
1 BRITAIN : 1850s - 1979
This section looks at the growth of democracy, the liberal welfare reforms, the National Governments and the development of the welfare state in the early 20 th century. Also studied is the problem of poverty and how successive governments attempted to deal with the problem.
2 THE LARGE SCALE STATE; THE USA 1918 – 1968
This section looks at the USA in the 1920s and 1930s, a period of economic boom, depression and recovery. The policies of successive governments, including Franklin D Roosevelt “New Deal”, are analysed. This is followed by a study of immigration and civil rights during the period 1918 – 1968, including black radical protest movements.
3 APPEASEMENT AND THE ROAD TO WAR : 1933 - 1939
This unit looks at the rise of Fascism in Europe, Hitler’s Foreign Policy and the Allied policy of appeasement. Hitler’s actions are then studied - the re-occupation of the Rhineland; the Spanish Civil War; the takeover of Austria and Czechoslovakia and the invasion of Poland in 1939. The topic ends with an analysis of appeasement : was it a sensible and realistic policy to pursue?
Students will be expected to read widely and in depth, develop essay writing skills and learn how to work with sources at an advanced level.
Assessment
Internal Assessment
Students will be assessed at the end of each unit of work, with either an essay or a test on sources. Each assessment will last approximately 1 hour and will be on a pass/fail basis.
External Assessment
Students will be required to sit 2 exam papers and write an extended essay. Paper One lasts for 1 hour 20 minutes and students are required to write two essays, worth 25 marks each. Paper Two lasts for 1 hour 25 minutes and consists of source work questions worth 30 marks in total.
The extended essay is chosen by the students from any part of the course, and while it is written in class, it is externally marked. The extended essay is worth 30 marks.
History Intermediate 2
Entry Requirements
Students should expect to gain:
- A Grade 3 at Standard Grade in History or
- A Grade 3 at Standard Grade in Geography.
It is possible to start from scratch. Anyone in doubt should consult the Curriculum Leader: Social Subjects
Course Description
1 SOCIAL WELFARE IN BRITAIN : 1890 - 1951
This unit looks at the problem of poverty and changing attitudes to it. The work of the Liberal Government before the First World War, and the Labour Government after the Second World war are studied and the modern Welfare State is discussed and assessed.
2 FREE AT LAST? RACE RELATIONS IN THE USA : 1918 – 1968
This unit looks at the USA at the end of the First World War and the status of different ethnic groups. Changing attitudes and the activities of the Ku Klux Klan are studied, as well as demands for Civil Rights and the role of Martin Luther King and others. Finally the race situation in the late 1960s is assessed.
3 THE ROAD TO WAR : 1933 - 1939
In this section the ideas of Nazism are looked at, and Hitler’s foreign policy is explained. We then look at the reaction of the great powers to Hitler’s actions, and study the policy of appeasement and why it was adopted. Finally, the outbreak of war is looked at and whether appeasement was an effective policy.
Assessment
Internal Assessment
Students will be assessed at the end of each unit of work. Each assessment will last approximately 45 minutes and will be on a pass/fail basis.
External Assessment
Students will be required to sit an examination and write an extended response. The examination will last 1 hour 45 minutes and will test students’ knowledge of the three units studied and also their skill in working with sources. The exam will be worth 47 marks.
The extended response is chosen by the students from any part of the course, and while it is written in class, it is externally marked. The extended response is worth 20 marks.
