The History department has 5 full time members of staff and is headed by Dr J.M. Harrison.

GCSE

Head of Department:  J M Harrison                                                      Board:  OCR

The Course

The course is based upon the Modern World 1918 – c. 1963.  Particular emphasis is given to international relations both before and after World War II.  1919 - 1939 investigates the failure of the Versailles Peace Treaties and the League of Nations, as well as considering the Wall Street Crash and the Rise of the Dictators.   Post 1945 the focus is on the relationship between the USA and the former USSR.  The course also includes detailed studies of the USA 1919 - 1941, and of Britain in the 1950s and 1960s, together with coursework on Russia 1905 - 1941.  The course offers students the opportunity to discuss and analyse important issues whose effects are still felt today.  The Department offers a five day field study visit to the First World War Battlefields.

Assessment

Candidates sit two papers at the end of the course and there is also a coursework component.

Paper 1 (2 hours)

Two structured questions on the whole period on International Relations and two structured questions on the USA.  (35%)

Paper 2 (1 hour 45 mins)

On the depth-study (Britain 1939 - 1975), seven source questions.  (40%)

Coursework

Candidates must produce one assignment under controlled conditions for which preparation has been done in class through the teaching of Russia 1905-1941. There will be one investigation into an aspect of life in Stalinist Russia.

This work is undertaken in the Michaelmas Term of Form V (Year 11).  (25%)