A Level History

A Level History Course Content

This course consists of six units:

• Unit 1 – Communist States in the twentieth century – Russia 1917–91: from Lenin to Yeltsin (Part 1).
• Unit 2 – Communist States in the twentieth century – Russia 1917–91: from Lenin to Yeltsin (Part 2:).
• Unit 3 – Communist States in the twentieth century – Mao’s China.
• Unit 4 – The British Experience of warfare c1790-1918 The Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War.
• Unit 5 – The British Experience of warfare c1790-1918 The Second Boer War and the First World War.
• Unit 6 – Historical Enquiry: Coursework unit.

A Level History Units 1 & 2 – Communist States in the twentieth century – Russia 1917–91: from Lenin to Yeltsin

These two units comprise a study in breadth, in which you will learn about the key political, social and economic features of communist rule in Russia and the USSR during the twentieth century. This era saw the authority and influence of Russia rise to the status of a superpower, only to diminish and decline later in the century. This option also contains a study in depth of historical interpretations on a broad key question: the reasons for the fall of the USSR, c1985–91.

A Level History Unit 3 – Communist States in the twentieth century – Mao’s China

This unit comprises a study in depth of the transformation of communist China in the years 1949–76. The aftershocks of these changes are still being felt today as China emerges as a great economic and political power on the world stage. By studying this unit you will gain an in-depth understanding of the nature and extent of change in this period, the effects of Mao Zedong’s policies on the lives of the Chinese people, and Mao’s role in driving dramatic political, social and economic changes.

A Level History Unit 4 – The British Experience of warfare c1790-1918 The Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War

This unit comprises two parts: the Aspects in breadth focus on long-term changes and contextualise the Aspects in depth, which focus in detail on key episodes. Together, the breadth and depth topics explore the British experience of war in different aspects of major overseas conflicts; in this unit we study the Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War and the changing relationship between the state and the people as the government attempted to create an effective fighting machine and prepare the people for war. Within the primarily military focus on the experience of warfare, this option also gives students the opportunity to explore its political, social and economic dimensions and their part in generating pressure for change.

A Level History Unit 5 – The British Experience of warfare c1790-1918 The Second Boer War and the First World War

This unit comprises two parts: the Aspects in breadth focus on long-term changes and contextualise the Aspects in depth, which focus in detail on key episodes. Together, the breadth and depth topics explore the British experience of war in different aspects of major overseas conflicts; in this unit we study the Second Boer War and the First World War and the changing relationship between the state and the people as the government attempted to create an effective fighting machine and prepare the people for war. Within the primarily military focus on the experience of warfare, this option also gives students the opportunity to explore its political, social and economic dimensions and their part in generating pressure for change.

A Level History Unit 6: Historical Enquiry: Coursework unit

Each candidate wishing to obtain an A level in History through the Edexcel examination board must complete a coursework option. Within restrictions students can choose their own area of study. Oxford College provides guidelines as to how this coursework can be completed using the following topic areas;

The Middle East and the Arab- Israeli Conflict, c1900-2001 Focus: The changing relationships between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East, and the reasons for continuing conflict.

• Jewish settlement in Palestine, 1900-45.
• The creation of the state of Israel and its impact.
• Reasons for, and outcomes of, Arab-Israeli conflicts to 1973.
• Arab nationalism in the 1980s and 1990s and divisions in the Arab world.
• Ireland and the Union, 1815–1998.

Focus: The changing demands for alterations to the constitutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain and the developing divisions between Catholic and Protestant communities in this period.

• The constitutional relationship between Britain and Ireland in the period to 1922.
• The leadership and objectives of the Catholic and Protestant communities in the period to 1922.
• The response of the British Government to pressure for change in Northern Ireland, 1922-98.
• Reasons for continuing division between communities in Northern Ireland from the Partition to the 1990s.

Full details of all the coursework options for this unit can be found on Edexcel website which can be accessed by the following external link: www.edexcel.com

A Level History Assessment

A Level History Paper 1

1E: Russia, 1917–91: from Lenin to Yeltsin Overview of assessment

• Written examination, lasting 2 hours 15 minutes.
• Marks available: 60.
• You answer three questions: one from Section A, one from Section B and one from Section C.
• Sections A and B comprise a choice of essays that assess understanding of the period in breadth (AO1).
• Section C comprises one compulsory question that assesses the ability to analyse and evaluate historical interpretations (AO3).

A Level History Paper 2

Overview of content Students take the following option: 2E.1: Mao’s China, 1949–76 Overview of assessment

• Written examination, lasting 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Marks available: 40.
• You answer two questions: one from Section A and one from Section B.
• Section A comprises one compulsory question for the option studied, based on two sources. It assesses source analysis and evaluation skills (AO2).
• Section B comprises a choice of essays that assess understanding of the period in depth (AO1).

A Level History Paper 3

Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth *Paper codes: 30–3930% of the Overview of content Students take the following option: 35.2: The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918

 A Level History Coursework component

• Internally assessed, externally moderated.
• Availability: May/June.
• First moderation: 2017.

20% of the Overview of assessment

• Students complete a single assignment on a question set by the centre.
• The assignment will assess the ability to carry out a historical enquiry, analysing and evaluating historical interpretations, and organising and communicating the findings (AO1/AO3).