History A-Level

Santayana who once remarked that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.
‘We cannot escape history’ Abraham Lincoln
It is important to be able to form an opinion while being aware of the views of others. Perhaps the most important value of history is an insight into the lives and values of others in a different time and environment. The course allows our pupils to explore the role of individuals, ideas and groups in varied periods in the past in both a European and Irish dimension.

History is an excellent preparation for a number of degree subjects and thereafter for all kinds of careers. It provides a solid training in logic, argument and research, as well as the obvious communication skills. Many professions have been enriched by those from a history background over the years. Essentially a ’people’ based subject, it can also inspire people to follow an engaging interest of human behaviour in the past.
Specification

HISTORY at Advanced Level

The History department has a wealth of expertise and resources covering nineteenth Irish and European history. Students taking Advanced level history are able to develop skills, which allow them to selectively use historical knowledge in a clear and effective manner. Students learn to make reasoned judgments about controversial issues and will have the chance to interpret, evaluate and use a range of source material. In order to do this, girls will study complementary Irish, British and European modules that provide a balanced and interesting course.

Students will have opportunities to explore values, attitudes and opinions, which have shaped human behaviour and achievement in the past. They will be able to see how men and women have reacted and adapted to their surroundings and have been influenced by culture and ideas.

Requirements

The AS builds on, but does not depend upon, the knowledge, understanding and skills developed within GCSE History. The ‘A2’ section subsequently builds on the knowledge and skills acquired through the ‘AS’ course and provides the basis for further study of history and related subjects or indeed serves as a strong platform for progression to employment.

Girls will be expected to use a wide range of sources throughout their studies but this will be based on the skill of selective reading rather than extensive reading. Extended writing still forms an important part of sixth form history and the opportunity to present and participate in seminar style work gives pupils the chance to develop other vital skills in team work, ICT and general communication. The course also provides a forum where pupils can demonstrate the ability to assume more responsibility for improving learning and understanding.

Assessment

Pupils will study two modules for ‘AS’ in Year 13 (Lower Sixth). The examinations are taken in the summer term.

Paper One is 1 hour 30 minutes long and is worth 50% of the AS total.
Papers Two is also 1 hour 30 minutes long and is worth 50% of the AS total.

Two other modules are taken in Upper Sixth to complete the Advanced GCE. The AS reward will carry over as 50% of the total and Paper One of the A2 will be worth 20% and Paper Two of A2 makes up the remaining 30% of the overall A Level.

Comments from 2 recently successful students

I read history at Trinity College Dublin and my particular interest in French history definitely started at Strathearn. Through my liaison with the college careers service, it became increasingly clear that history students are highly valued by a range of employers in a variety of sectors. I had not only mastered the intricacies of the French language, foreign policy and politics, but that I had also acquired skills which were readily transferable in the labour market.
From my early years at Trinity College Dublin, I planned to go into business and specifically management consulting. It became clear that the aptitude of historians for careers in management consulting, computing, journalism, law, accountancy and public relations was valued by employers.

Upon completion of my Masters, I joined PricewaterhouseCoopers Performance Improvement Consulting team specifically focusing on Economics and Public Policy working across a range of public sector clients in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and beyond. Interestingly I am not the only history graduate in my current consulting team, despite being largely surrounded by applied economists and accountants!

Claire Richardson

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I remember my ‘A’ Level history course at Strathearn as an experience in which I was confronted with new information, given the skills to interpret it, and encouraged to form my own opinion about it. I was taught to think critically about the information I received not only from historians and historical sources, but from the media and even my teachers themselves. This experience taught me the skills needed to form a coherent argument and to back up my argument with relevant evidence; skills which are necessary for almost any career. Most importantly for me, my teachers created a supportive, but intellectually challenging, arena in which I discovered my passion for history – a passion that continues to grow as I pursue my dream of becoming a historian.

C. Ruth Watterson,
Harvard University, PhD Candidate