Unit 1: Historical Themes in Breadth (Option D: A World Divided: Communism and Democracy in the 20th Century)
Studied in Year 12 with an examination at the end of the year.
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D3 Russia in Revolution, 1881-1924: From Autocracy to Dictatorship;
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D5 Pursuing Life and Liberty: Equality in the USA, 1945-68;
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Written examination: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Candidates will be required to answer two questions worth 30 marks each and these must be taken from different topics within the same option paper. A choice of two essay questions will be set on each topic. Candidates must not answer two questions set on the same topic.
Unit 2: British History Depth Studies (Option A: Early Modern British History: Crown and Authority)
Studied in Year 12 with an examination at the end of the year.
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A2 Crown, Parliament and Authority in England, 1588-1629;
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Written examination: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Within each option paper, candidates are required to answer two source-based questions for their chosen topic, question (a) and question (b). Candidates will be provided with seven to nine unseen sources of approximately 550 words in total per topic. These sources will be made available with the examination paper. The first question (a) on each topic is worth 20 marks and will focus on reaching a judgement by analysis, cross-referencing and evaluation of source material. The second question (b) on each topic is worth 40 marks and will ask candidates to address a historical view or claim using two sources in conjunction with their own knowledge. A choice of questions, (b) (i) and (b) (ii), will be provided for each topic.
Unit 3: Depth Studies and Associated Historical Controversies (Option D: Topic D1 From Kaiser to Führer: Germany, 1900-45)
Studied from summer term of Year 12 following AS exams and then into Year 13. Examination at the end of Year 13.
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The Second Reich - society and government in Germany, c1900-19: economic expansion political and social tensions; the impact of the First World War;
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The democratic experiment, 1919-29: crises and survival, 1919-24; Stresemann and recovery; the ‘Golden Years’ of the WeimarRepublic; Weimar culture;
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The rise of the Nazis: origins to 1928; impact of the slump in town and country, 1928-33; growing support; coming to power;
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Life in wartime Germany, 1939-45: opposition and conformity; persecution of the Jews and the development of the idea of the ‘Final Solution’; the efficiency of the war economy.
Associated controversies:
a) To what extent was Germany responsible for the outbreak of the First World War?
b) How popular and efficient was the Nazi regime in the years 1933-39?
Written examination: 2 hours.
The exam paper will be divided into Sections A and B. Candidates will be required to answer the following from their chosen topic:
In Section A, the essay questions will have an analytical focus that will require candidates to reach a substantiated judgement on a historical issue or problem.
In Section B, candidates will be provided with five or six unseen secondary sources totalling approximately 350-400 words per question. These sources will be made available with the examination paper. The question will require candidates to compare the provided source material while exploring an issue of historical debate, and to reach substantiated judgements in the light of their own knowledge and understanding of the issues of interpretation and controversy.
Unit 4: Historical Enquiry (CW10 - Challenge and rebellion in Tudor and Stuart England, 1509-1660)
Studied and assessed during Year 13.
The taught programme will examine the ways in which the nature and frequency of rebellion changed during the Tudor and Stuart period, and the extent of the challenge to monachical authority. Candidates will cover:
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The nature of Tudor and Stuart challenges to the Monarch;
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The Reformation and Tudor religious settlements;
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The roots of challenge in Parliament and society;
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Power, faction and succession.
Candidates complete an assignment in two parts. In Part A they carry out an enquiry into the short-term significance of a key event or individual within the period of study. In Part B candidates will set their chosen event or individual in a broader context, exploring the process of change within the wider time frame. The assignment should be no longer than 4000 words and will be internally assessed and externally moderated.