KS4

"Not to know what happened before one was born
is always to remain a child." – Cicero

 

Aims:

Do you understand the world that we live in? Do you want to improve your knowledge and understanding of the topics that are covered on the news? It is said that we learn from past mistakes, and that they form the present world. By studying this modern and dynamic course, you will develop and enhance your knowledge and understanding of the past, present and future.

Course purpose:
  • Opportunity to study a range of events from Welsh, British and World history.
  • To build on the knowledge, skills and understanding acquired in Years 7,8 and 9.
  • Opportunity to use a range of sources of information, such as ITC, written and visual sources, artifacts, music, videos and buildings and sites.
  • Encourage you to adopt and improve your research and enquiry skills.
  • To prepare you for future challenges. History will prepare you for many A-Level and Higher Education courses at colleges and universities. History develops a wide range of skills that can be used in most careers, and many careers regard History as an advantage – such as education, law, politics and the civil service, police, journalism, research and many more. 80% of people in managerial positions in Britain have studied History!

Course Details:


The History Department prepare pupils years 10 and 11 for WJEC Specification A European and World History in the Twentieth Century. This is a modular syllabus, and there are four units. The contents of the units vary from the study of historical sources to essay writing.

Unit 1 (In-Depth Study)

DEPRESSION WAR AND RECOVERY, 1930-1951
  • Life in Depression
  • Britain and the Threat of Germany
  • War on the Home Front
  • Post-War Wales and England

Unit 2 (In-Depth Study)

SOUTH AFRICA, 1948-1994
  • The features of Apartheid
  • Opposition within South Africa 
  • International Opposition to Apartheid
  • The end of Apartheid               

Unit 3 (Outline Study)

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1929 – 2000
  • America in Transition
  • The Race Issue in America, 1929-1990
  • USA and the Wider World, 1929-1990

Unit 4 (Coursework)

WELSH, BRITISH AND WORLD HISTORY DURING THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
  • Two essays based on historical sources of the First World War.

Assessment

Every pupil will sit the same exams, this gives an opportunity for everyone to gain A*. There are two examinations:

  • 25% - Coursework
  • 50% - Paper 1 (2 hours) which will asses units 1 and 2 (Modular exam to be sat in June in Year 10, and an opportunity to re-sit in order to improve upon the mark)
  • 25% - Paper 2 (1 hour) on Unit 3