History A-Level

Subject: History

Qualification Level: A Level

Qualification Duration:

Exam Board:

Overview:

1) Unit 1-Russia, 1917-91 Lenin to Yeltsin

You will begin this module on the birth of political revolution in 1917 with Lenin. Lenin wanted to free the people of Russia to produce a paradise of equal opportunities free of exploitation, sexism and racism.

You will then look at Joseph Stalin who led the USSR 1924-53. He led the country under communism but by 1930 Stalin began ruling Russia using terror, torture and mass murder. Today the number of people he killed totals between 3-60 million.

You will also study the fall of the USSR from 1985-91 taking a closer look at the social, economic and political policies of Gorbachev, Brezhnev and Yeltsin.

2) Paper 2: China under Mao, 1949–76

This option comprises a study in depth of the creation and development, of the People’s Republic of China under Mao. Mao was determined not to follow the pattern set out by the USSR, but develop his own form of Communism based on mass mobilisation of the Chinese population. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the political, economic and social policies of Mao, and the devastating effects on the lives of the people of China.

3) Paper 3: The British Experience of Warfare, 1790 – 1918

Interested in the First World War – we will study the land on war and the land in the air. This will involve looking at the horrors of Passchendaele, the development of the flying ace and the role of Douglas Haig in conducting the war.

This unit also includes a study of how the army changed through time as well as looking at specific campaigns.

You will look at the nature of warfare during the Napoleonic Wars, Crimean War and Boer Wars. This will include the role of key individuals – Wellington, Nelson, Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole.

We will take advantage of the resources offered by the National Army Museum and the Imperial War Museum.

4) Coursework- Any topic of your choosing

You can pick any topic you would like for you coursework.

You will be carrying out independent research, assessing the views of three different historians on the topic that you have chosen.

Topics to date have included the Vietnam War, World War One, Civil Rights Movement in USA, Nazi Party Popularity, the Suffragette movement and the use of the Atomic Bomb.

Trips and other costs:

Text books for each year are £25 from Edexcel directly although they can be bought second hand.

Trip to Reading University Library.

Trip to Berlin subject to uptake.

Trip to Imperial War Museum and National Army Museum.

Career and further study:

Having a history A Level helps you to prepare for the research element of a university degree. Its high level academic status also is a subject that many universities recommend you to study. Careers that use history qualifications are accountancy, journalism, law, museum studies, teaching and librarianship but there are many more.