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 written the landscape of today? This course is an amazing opportunity for you to develop your ability to critically appraise and evaluate primary source material and historians’ interpretations of the cultural, economic, and political landscape of both nineteenth-century America and the Tudor dynasty.

Students will be advised which texts they will need to purchase for the course

• The breadth study will be The Tudors: England 1485-1603

• The depth study will be America: A Nation Divided, 1845-1877,

Year 1

The Tudors – You will explore this turbulent time for England, and discover how Henry VII was able to establish the Tudor dynasty. You will explore the reign of his son, Henry VIII.

America: A Nation Divided – You will explore the nature of antebellum America, with a focus on the years c.1845 – 1861.

Year 2

The Tudors – You will analyse the extent to which there was ‘a mid-Tudor crisis’, focusing on the reigns of Edward VI and Mary. You will explore the reign of Elizabeth I.

America: A Nation Divided – the American Civil War from 1861 – 1865, you will study the distinct phases of the conflict and track the route to reconstruction from 1865 – 1877.

Two 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.