What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?

Students wishing to choose IB History are required to have 5 A – C GCSE passes to gain admittance to the Sixth Form. GCSE History is not a pre-requisite; however, it would be an advantage. Good English language skills are required. Students are expected to have a strong interest in the subject as they will be expected to do background reading and preparation in their own time in order to consolidate the necessary subject knowledge.

What will I learn on this course?

IB History provides students with the opportunity to study a wide range of modern history topics from across the globe.

Standard Level

Paper 1

Students will study Communism in Crisis, which concentrates on the major challenges facing the regimes in the leading Communist States 1979-1989, and the nature of the response of these regimes. Areas that will be studied include the struggle for power after the death of Mao Zedong, China under Deng Xiaoping, the Brezhnev era, Gorbachev and the fall of Communism. This is a source-based examination.

Paper 2

Students will study the origins and development of authoritarian and single-party states focusing on Hitler and Mao, and the origins and development of the Cold War 1945-1990. This is examined through a choice of essays.

Historical Investigation

Candidates are able to study an area of History that interests them. The investigation allows students to search, select and evaluate information to reach a judgement or solve a problem.

Higher Level

In addition to the topics on the Standard Course, Higher Level students undertake courses on Imperial Russia, revolutions and the emergence of the Soviet State 1853-1924, the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe 1924-2000, and a study of the Spanish Civil War 1936. Importantly, there are many overlaps with the Standard Level material, which allows the students more choice on the examination paper, which is again examined through a choice of essays.

What kind of student is this course suitable for?

IB History will appeal to students with an interest in History, even if it has not been previously studied at examination level. If you have a curiosity about the world and why the world in which you live is the way it is today – then History is for you! If you enjoy discussion, debate, can think for yourself and want to learn to argue more effectively whilst still appreciating the validity of other people’s opinions – we can help. History is a highly regarded subject and excellent grounding for many university courses and careers.

How will my work be assessed?

What skills can I develop by taking this course?

History, as a subject, naturally lends itself to many areas of the Learner Profile; Historians have inquiring minds, have developed their powers of critical thinking, are obviously knowledgeable about their subject and its’ impact on the modern world, they have excellent communication skills whilst remaining open minded and well-balanced. Whilst studying History at IB students will fulfil all of the areas of the Learner Profile in addition to being able to:

• Comprehend, analyse, evaluate and integrate source material critically as historical evidence
• Demonstrate historical understanding of 20th century world history through the acquisition, selection, effective use and synthesis of knowledge
• Explain different approaches to, and interpretations of, historical events and topics
• Place events in their historical context
• Explain the causes and effects of historical continuity and change
• Present arguments that are clear, coherent, relevant and well substantiated
• Present historical explanations from an international perspective
• Plan, organize and present an individual historical investigation

In addition to the above candidates at higher level will be expected to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth historical understanding of approximately 100 years of history (from between circa 1750 to 1995) of one region, through the acquisition, selection, effective use and synthesis of knowledge

What could I go on to do at the end of this course?

History is regarded as an excellent qualification for careers in Law, Journalism, business, finance, police and social work, personnel management and many others. Widely recognised as providing training in analyzing evidence, Historians are valued for their ability to think for themselves and not to accept everything they see at face value. History is accepted as a valuable qualification for all University and career entrants.

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