History (IB)

What does studying this subject involve?

The aim of the IB History course is to develop students as critically thinking historians with an awareness of historiography and an academic approach to the subject. This will be achieved through evaluation of sources and interpretations. We aim to promote an awareness of international ideas and cultures through the study of history, shaping students into global citizens.  We hope to prepare students for University in terms of encouraging and developing their skills of independent study and research as well as stretching their ability to work with and communicate with their peers and elders.

We will be following Route 2 of the IB History Syllabus, to be first examined in 2010. The intention of the course is to give the students a sound overview of Twentieth Century History, with particular focus on War and its consequences. All students will study interwar relations and the development of the single party states during this period, and then will move on to focus on the Cold War. The coverage will be broadly chronological, with background information covered at the start of each new topic.  Students will be encouraged to consider the inter-cultural awareness which is necessary to prepare them for global citizenship. The History courses will help to foster respect and understanding of people and events in a variety of cultures throughout the world.

How will I know if I would be successful at it?

Successful IB History candidates will be able to confidently challenge historical evidence, judgments and interpretations which are all key skills in any area of academic study.  Successful IB History candidates will embody the IB learner profile.

What skills will I develop and where could studying this subject lead me?

The skills that you will develop studying IB History are numerous and varied including the capacity to absorb and manage a good deal of information, to order and analyse information, to reason with clarity and cogency, to use and refine a judgement from evidence, the preparation of argument and the ability to express an argument persuasively and with clarity.

History is a well recognised academic subject. The analytical skills which form the basis of history are vital to the requirements of most degree courses. Students have gone on to study History, Politics, Law, International Relations, Sociology, Media Studies, Business Studies, Management, Archeology and more at university.  The careers that studying History allows you to enter include: Law, Diplomatic Service, Journalism, Police, Politics, Teaching, Management, Museum work and much more.   

Important things to consider / Information that students need to know.

The successful IB History candidate will need to have a passion for the subject and be prepared to undertake research around the topics being studied in order that lessons with be a time of debate and analysis.

Entry requirements

The History Department requires that all successful IB History candidates will have achieved at least an A in this subject.

Which other subjects does it combine well with?

History combines and complements all the other subjects within the IB Diploma Programme including the other group 3 subjects such as Economics and Psychology as well as the group 1 and 2 Language subjects, group 6 Arts subjects and the group 4 and 5 subjects of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science. 

Similarities between the subject at GCSE and within the Diploma Programme. ( Where appropriate)

The IB History course develops the essay and source skills obtained at History GCSE.  The major difference between GCSE and the IB History course is the requirement of pupils to be able to work independently and be in control of their own learning. 

Differences in the subject between SL and HL.

Assessment will be closely based on the assessment tasks required on the IB History exams. Students will write in-class essays or practice document papers on every topic. An initial ‘induction assessment’ will be issued after the first month and then there will be an end of year assessment in May / June of Year 12. Students will sit formal mock exams in December or January of the Diploma Year. The Internal Assessment will be completed across the end of Year 12 and the start of Year 13.  All students will submit a Historical Investigation for internal assessment and then external moderation by the IB.  One draft only will be submitted before the final copy is handed in.  All externally assessed IB exams

Those students choosing to study History at Higher Level will take the European Route, and focus on some of the issues raised in Papers 1 and 2 in further depth. The course will be international in its approach as events in Britain, Germany, the USA, Russia/USSR and other European countries will be explored.

• Paper 1 (SL/ HL) (source work):  Peacemaking, peacekeeping: International Relations 1918-1935

• Paper 2 (SL/ HL) (two essays): Topic 1: Causes, practices and effects of wars (e.g. both World Wars, Spanish Civil War, Chinese Civil War) and Topic 3: Origins and development of authoritarian and single-party states (e.g. Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Castro)

• Paper 3 (HL Option 5) (three essays) requires students to study one of the following regional options in depth: Topic 8- Interwar years: conflict and co-operation 1919-39, Topic 10- The Second World War and post-war Western Europe 1939-2000, Topic 12- Social and economic developments in Europe and the middle East in the 19th or 20th Century

Assessment information.

will take place in May of the second year of the Diploma.  This comprises of two papers for SL students and three papers for HL students.

Other useful information.

We hope to provide extra curricular opportunities with a trip to Berlin and attendance to History conferences.  We also provide revision classes and revision books that pupils can buy in the run up to their examinations.