Year 12
Students will study two units in which they will be examined on at the end of Year 13. These two units in Route F are linked by the common theme of a search for rights, freedoms and greater equality during the twentieth century. In the USA, the quest for political, social and economic advancement mainly looked to reform existing structures. In India, this quest led to more radical outcomes, bringing an end to imperial rule in India.
Paper 1: In search of the American Dream: the USA, c1917–96
In this unit students will study four key themes in order to gain an overview of political, social and economic change and aspects of cultural change in the USA across the time period. Students will develop knowledge of the specified themes and be able to analyse and evaluate cause, consequence, key features and change and make comparisons over and within the period studied in dealing with factors which brought about change.
This option is divided into the following themes:
- Theme 1: The changing political environment, 1917–80
- Theme 2: The quest for civil rights, 1917–80
- Theme 3: Society and culture in change, 1917–80
- Theme 4: The changing quality of life, 1917–80
- Interpretations: What impact did the Reagan presidency (1981–89) have on the USA in the years 1981–96?
Paper 2: India, c1914–48: the road to independence
In this unit, students will study of the transition of the Indian sub-continent from colonial rule to independence. The gaining of Indian independence influenced both the nature of civil rights campaigning and the desire for national self-determination throughout the world. Grounded in an exploration of source material in its historical context, students will develop an in-depth understanding of the changing relationship between Britain and India, from the outbreak of the First World War, to the achievement of independence for the Indian sub-continent, and of the reasons for this, with particular reference to Indian nationalism.
In working with selected sources, students will be required to demonstrate evidence skills which enable them to make reasoned and supported judgements and to address a historical view or claim.
The option is divided into the following four key topics:
- Topic 1. The First World War and its impact on British India, 1914–20
- Topic 2. Changing political relationships, 1920–30
- Topic 3. Consultation and confrontation, 1930–42
- Topic 4. The road to independence, 1942–48
Year 13
Students will study another two units one of which will be examined as coursework and the other as an exam at the end of Year 13.
Paper 3: Poverty, public health and the state in Britain, c1780–1939
In this unit students will explore the ways in which the British state gradually, and not always successfully, became involved in taking on responsibility for people’s health and welfare. This happened in reaction to a rapidly industrialising society, where thousands of people lived out their domestic and working lives in close proximity. The scale of the problem posed a question that is still asked today: where does responsibility for health and welfare lie – with the individual or with society?
Students will study two aspects in breadth: lives in peril – the health of the nation, c1780–1939
- The impetus for public health reforms
- Changes in public health
Students will study five aspects in depth: poverty, the people and the law
- Paupers and pauperism, 1780–1834
- Less eligibility: the Poor Law Amendment Act and its impact, 1832–47
- The government, self-help and charity, 1847–80
- Social and welfare reforms: pressure and action, 1880–1914
- Depression and the dole: poverty in the inter-war years, 1920–39
Coursework: The Vietnam War, 1945-75
The purpose of the coursework is to enable students to develop skills in the analysis and evaluation of interpretations of history in a chosen question, problem or issue as part of an independently researched assignment. The focus is on understanding the nature and purpose of the work of the historian. Students will be required to form a critical view based on relevant reading on the question, problem or issue. They will also be specifically required to analyse, explain and evaluate the interpretations of three historians.
Our coursework focuses on the Vietnam War. Students will consider the following questions, before focusing on their own topic to research further:
- What were the origins of American intervention in the Vietnam War?
- How and why did Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy increase America’s role in the war?
- What impact did the strategy and tactics used by President Johnson have on the outcome of the war?
- Was the Vietnam War ever ‘winnable’?
- How significant was public opinion in determining America’s decision to withdraw from Vietnam?
- Was President Nixon a ‘mad bomber’ or strategic genius?
Homework: In History, students are set homework every week involving exam practice essays, revision tasks, further reading, and independent research. Students are expected to do additional work on top of that set by teachers.
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