Subjects History GCSE
Course description:
Students follow the Edexcel 1334 Modern World History specification. There are two written exams and two coursework projects. This is a wide ranging course which includes 6 separate units of study
Paper 1
- The Rise and Fall of the Communist State: Russia and the USSR 1928-91
- ‘A Divided Union?’: The USA 1941-80
Paper 2
- Conflict in Vietnam 1965-74
- Life in Nazi Germany 1933-39
Coursework
Students will complete two pieces of coursework, each worth 12.5% of the final mark.
Bloody Sunday sources project
- Students will analyse the history of sectarian tension in Northern Ireland and answer 5 questions
based on the events of Bloody Sunday.
Portsmouth in the Blitz
- This is a local history project that looks at three different aspects of the bombing of Portsmouth and
the South coast during the ‘Blitz’ of 1940-41.
Course structure:
These will be 5 lessons per fortnight taught in specialist History rooms, one compulsory field trip to Portsmouth. One piece of coursework is completed at the beginning of Yr 10 and one piece of coursework completed during the summer term of year 10.
Homework:
1 to 1½ hours homework per week involving written tasks, preparation for discussion work and coursework, individual research, use of ICT etc.
Assessment, weighting and timings of assessments:
- 2 written papers – Paper 1 (2 hours) and Paper 2 (1hour 45 minutes) = 75% of the final mark.
- 2 written coursework assignments of 2000-3000 words in total, 12.5 % of the marks each = 25% of the final mark.
Books, equipment, materials and resources recommended / needed:
All text books and materials are provided. Independent research is strongly recommended.
Opportunities for study beyond Key Stage 4:
Well established courses run at AS and A2 Level at Blatch 6. These involve the study of Modern British and European History and can lead to further study at university.
Career opportunities supported by this subject:
This subject will help you to develop your thinking and writing skills which will help in all aspects of future life and most jobs including:- Law, journalism, teaching, police, civil service, all aspects of business, social work, careers involving the arts etc.
