History
Staff
Mr D Munn (Faculty Head)
Ms E Blaker
Mr A McLean
Miss L Dickson
Miss E. MacGregor
Why study History?
History opens up the world of the past for learners.
The purpose of History is to provide learners with insights into their own lives and the society in which they live. By examining the past, they discover their heritage as members of a community, a country and a wider world. They place themselves and their society in the context of the past. This purpose will be achieved through successful study of the three Units of the Course which cover Scottish, British, European and World contexts in a variety of time periods, including Medieval, Early Modern and Later Modern.
History uniquely provides opportunities for learners to study past societies, the changes they have undergone, and the ways in which they have embraced or sometimes resisted change. Through such studies, History provides learners with both a perspective on, and an understanding of, the forces which have shaped their own society and societies in other countries. Good literacy skills make a big difference to students’ ability to access this course and do well.
The main aims of this Course are to:
- develop learners’ conceptual understanding and foster their ability to think independently
- enable learners to acquire breadth and depth in their knowledge and
- understanding of historical themes
- develop learners’ skills of explaining historical developments and events, evaluating historical sources and drawing conclusions
- develop learners’ imagination and empathy with people living in other periods
- encourage learners to debate issues and, on the basis of evidence, form views
and respect those of others
- foster in learners an interest in history which will enhance understanding of
our modern, multi-cultural society and provide a life-long interest
The History Course contributes to general education and the wider curriculum. It will help create informed and active citizens by helping learners develop a greater understanding of political and social institutions and processes. Learners will develop skills which are transferable to other areas of study and which they will use in everyday life.
S1
The course is made up of a short introductory section and two main units of study.
In S1 Pupils will begin to develop the essential skills of a historian, this includes;
- Investigating the Past
- Using Timelines
- Evaluating Primary and Secondary Sources
S2
The course is made up of two main units of Study.
In S2 Pupils will continue to develop the essential skills of a historian, this includes;
- How to Research History
- Evaluating Primary and Secondary Sources.
- Essay Writing Skills
S3
In S3 pupils will follow a History course as part of a broad general education, covering level 4 outcomes and experiences. During S3 pupils will also overtake some of the National 4 and National 5 outcomes.
Further details of units and course content can be obtained from:-
www.sqa.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence.
Having made the excellent option choice to study History, pupils will now spend three periods each week with a dedicated Teacher of History.
Throughout the year pupils will continue to enhance their knowledge of History whilst further developing their Source Handling Skills and Essay Writing Skills.
We have selected two of the most iconic and traditional topics in the entire History Curriculum, these topics have proved extremely popular with pupils and teachers alike for many years.
Topic 1: ‘The Women’s Suffrage Movement’
Topic 2: ‘The Great War 1914-1918’
Please refer to the individual course outlines for a more in-depth look at each topic.
Assessment of Course
The course will be assessed and marked throughout the session by teachers. These assessments are appropriate to the subject and level of study. Assessments may include a combination of practical work, case studies, examinations and projects.
Progression
At the end of S3 pupils will progress to a course leading onto a qualification at National 3, National 4 or National 5.
At the end of S4 pupils could choose from the following progression routes:
- A pupil achieving National 3may progress to National 4
- A pupil achieving National 4 may progress to National 5
- A pupil achieving National 5 may progress to Higher
Homework
Completion of homework and regular revision for class assessments are both essential to help understanding and prepare pupils for their final exam.
National 5
We currently offer pupils the opportunity to work towards an SQA qualification at National 3/4/5 Level.
Pupils will be expected to build on their experiences gained throughout S3 and reach a particularly high standard in terms of Subject Knowledge and Source Handling Skills. They will also be encouraged to work independently and take more responsibility for their own learning.
Essay writing Skills will be a particular focus throughout S4 as this is an essential skill not only for S4 but for the transition into S5.
Pupils will be issued with a Sample Answer Booklet as well as a Homework Booklet to be completed regularly throughout the year.
As a department we have an open door policy on supported study and extra homework is greatly encouraged.
Our chosen topics in S4 are as follows;
- Migration and Empire 1830-1939
- Changing Britain 1760-1914
- Hitler and Nazi Germany 1919-1939
Please refer to the individual course outlines for a more detailed look at each topic.
Higher
Why Choose History?
History is about understanding the past and the connections between past and present. Students learn about the forces in the past which have shaped their own society and the wider world we live in. History at all levels offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of how the modern world has developed, and allows them to appreciate change and its significance, by applying their historical knowledge to the present day.
Higher pupils are expected to build on their previous learning experiences gained throughout their time in S4/5 History.
They will be expected to reach a particularly high standard in terms of Subject Knowledge and Source Handling Skills.
They will also be encouraged to work independently and take much more responsibility for their own learning.
Essay writing Skills are a particular focus throughout the Higher Course and pupils are fully expected to raise their level of personal writing ability quite significantly.
Pupils will be issued with a wide variety of extremely high quality resources to assist them in their studies.
This includes:
- Texbooks
- Essay Plans
- Revision Notes
- Source Handling Skills – Sample Answer Guide
- Homework Booklet
- Past Papers
Please refer to the course outline document for an overview of the assessment elements of the Higher History Course.
Skills
- The ability to apply a detailed historical awareness and to evaluate sources in a range of contexts
- The ability to construct a line of argument based on evidence and justify this
- Investigating historical events and, on the basis of evidence, forming points of view
- Explaining and analysing historical events and drawing reasoned conclusions
- Investigating, researching, problem solving, communication and critical thinking
- Debating issues and, on the basis of evidence, form views and respect those of others.
Possible careers
Students with a History qualification are well prepared for the world of work. All the courses offered provide an entry qualification for further study, employment and training. It is a recognised qualification for colleges and universities. The skills developed in History can help students prepare for jobs in
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Higher History
Entry to the Course
Students should have passed National 5 in History or in another Social Subject at Grade C. It will be possible to take National 5 History in S5 and Higher History in S6.
Course Content
There are three units of study:
- Historical Study: Scottish
- The Era of the Great War, 1910 – 1928
- Historical Study: British
- The Making of Modern Britain, 1880-1951
- Historical Study: European and World Germany, 1815-1939
Or
The Crusades 1071-1204
Or
The Cold War
Historical Sources Unit
This unit is based on the evaluation of Historical Sources.
The type of questions are very similar to those that were used at National 5 Level History.
- Evaluate the usefulness…
- Compare the views…
- How Fully…
Pupils will build upon the skills they have already gained and develop them further in order to reach the ‘Higher’ standard of response in each example.
Our chosen source topic is ‘Scotland and the Impact of the Great War 1914-1928’
Assessment
There will be a formal exam at the end of the course. This consists of two papers 1, Paper 1 lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes, and pupils are expected to complete two essays each worth 22 marks. Paper 2 is predominantly source based questions, and is worth 36 marks, which pupils have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. There is also an Added Value Assignment in which students write up an extended essay on an issue of their choice drawn from one of the units studied in the course. This is worth 30 marks and is externally marked by the SQA
Progression
Students who achieve a Grade A or B pass could progress to Advanced Higher History or a Higher in another Social Subject. Higher History is also a good entry qualification for further study, employment and training.
Advanced Higher
History is about understanding the past and the connections between past and present. Students learn about the forces in the past which have shaped their own society and the wider world we live in. History at all levels offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of how the modern world has developed, and allows them to appreciate change and its significance, by applying their historical knowledge to the present day.
Skills
- The ability to apply a detailed historical awareness and to evaluate sources in a range of contexts
- The ability to construct a line of argument based on evidence and justify this
- Investigating historical events and, on the basis of evidence, forming points of view
- Explaining and analysing historical events and drawing reasoned conclusions
- Investigating, researching, problem solving, communication and critical thinking
- Debating issues and, on the basis of evidence, form views and respect those of others.
Possible careers
Students with a History qualification are well prepared for the world of work. All the courses offered provide an entry qualification for further study, employment and training. It is a recognised qualification for colleges and universities. The skills developed in History can help students prepare for jobs in
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Entry to the Course
Students should have gained a good pass in Higher History. A good pass in Higher English is also desirable.
Course Content
At Advanced Higher level pupils study one option which allows for an in-depth study of one area of History. The course is aimed to develop critical thinking amongst pupils and requires them to engage with the views of historians, developing an understanding of these different views and how these have been formed.
At Calderglen we study - Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of the Second World War
Areas Covered:
The creation of the Weimar Republic: military defeat; the November Revolution and the Treaty of Versailles; social and political instability; economic crisis and hyper-inflation.
A period of relative stability: currency reform and the Dawes plan; social welfare provision; the Stresemann era in foreign affairs.
The collapse of the Weimar: economic depression and mass unemployment; the weakening of democracy; Brüning to Schleicher; the rise of Nazism; Hitler and the Nazi takeover of power.
The transformation of post-Weimar society: Nazi consolidation of power in Germany; Nazi social and racial policies; Nazi economic and foreign policies; resistance and opposition
Assessment
The external exam consists of one paper lasting 3 hours. Students are expected to answer two essays and three source-based questions. The final paper is worth 90 marks. Which consists of two 25 mark essays and three source questions worth 40 marks. Students are also expected to complete a 4,000 word dissertation which is externally marked. Topics are from an agreed list produced by SQA. This is an invaluable piece of individual research and is worth 50 marks. This research will allow pupils to develop the skills of planning, reading, analysing, referencing and evaluating which will assist pupils in the transition to University.
Progression
After Advanced Higher History further specialisation is possible at University where there is a range of History degree options including Archaeology, Economic History, History of Art Medieval History, Social and Political History, etc. Advanced Higher History will also help prepare pupils for the demands of University study in a wide range of degrees, by further developing their skills with regards to carrying out effective research, constructing a line of argument and producing work in an academic manner.
