History A Level

Are you keen to develop a detailed understanding of people, policies, and events from a wide range of historical periods? Are you fascinated by the way that history has decided the rights, freedoms and equality of countries and citizens around the globe today? This course develops your ability to critically appraise and evaluate primary source material and historians' interpretations of the past, while gaining crucial cultural understanding of key political, social and economic events spanning three continents.

• In search of the American Dream: the USA 1917-96. Students learn about the dramatic political, economic, and social transformation of the USA in the twentieth century, an era that saw the USA challenged by the consequences of inequalities at home and of its involvement in international conflict.
• Coursework – Why did the Vietnam War become such a disaster for the USA? Students investigate the chaotic progress of the Vietnam War from the perspective of the United States. Through the lens of historical interpretations, produced by academics from across the globe, students will consider why the technologically unmatched US Army were unable to secure a victory in this devastating war.
• South Africa 1948-94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’. An in-depth study of South Africa during its transition from white minority rule to the free elections of 1994, a long, and at times, dramatic process which changed South Africa from an apartheid state into a multi-racial democracy.
• Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors 1485-1603. Exploring the nature of rebellion and disorder under the Tudors and the way the various challenges were met, the change in government over the period, and the changing relationship between the Crown and key sections of society.

Three exams and one coursework assignment.

History is a facilitating subject and well regarded by all universities. Students who have previously taken this course have ventured into a variety of careers from heritage industries, journalism, business, management, accountancy, the Civil Service and publishing.