HISTORY OCR AS 3835 A Level 7835

"The past is never dead. It's not even past." William J Faulkner

It is one of the strange aspects of human nature that countries with the least history tend to value it most. If you're reading this far, you probably already feel and realise the importance of History in our lives, as well as its interest. The basic requirement of a good student of history is the ability to think and to write. Those skills are more useful in reality than the other requirement to be able to read. It is important to be able to form an opinion and be able to argue it on paper while being aware of contrary opinions. Perhaps the most important skill is to achieve an understanding of the lives and values of others in a decidedly different environment to our own. The course involves you in a need to explore the role of individuals, ideas and groups in varied periods in the past.

History is an excellent preparation for a number of degree subjects and thereafter for all kinds of careers. The objective, rational approach, coupled with the ability to extract information and apply it, are valued across most methods of employment. It provides a solid training in logic, argument and research, as well as the often mentioned communication skills. Law and journalism have been deeply associated with History over the years, but it applies also to any level of management. Being a 'people' based subject, it can also lead into any of the caring professions. Indeed, History opens more doors, perhaps, than any other subject on the 'Arts' side of the curriculum.

Specification

There are three courses in each year. We aim to introduce you to a broad and varied range of historical topics and periods.

AS
So, at AS level, you study either `England in a New Century 1900-1918', or you study aspects of the first half of the 19th century, or both. In addition, there is a European history paper from which currently we study the Ottoman Empire between 1451 and 1529.

There is no coursework for the AS.

A2
• a compulsory Depth Study involving currently "Lenin and the Establishment of Bolshevik Power 1903-1924"
• a'Themes in History' paper, currently "Britain and Ireland 1798-1921"
• a substantial piece of coursework comprising 2500-3000 words.

If you are considering taking History in the Sixth Form, it is not essential to have studied the subject at GCSE as there is intentionally no content in common. There are skills which will need to be drawn upon, but these can be learned quite quickly by a willing student. If in doubt, just ask one of the teachers.

Comments from 2 recently successful students:
"History changes your values and perceptions to an almost alarming degree. It makes you really criticise everything you say, while allowing you to think for yourself."
"Studying History is helpful for looking at how modern day society has been influenced by past actions. It is really interesting to understand how people used to think"