History IB

'Historians are dangerous people. They are capable of upsetting everything.'
Nikita Khrushchev, former Soviet Prime Minister

There are lots of good stories in history but the subject is not about learning the received version of our past. There are facts, but which do we select as significant? There are events, but how do we interpret them?

The way we think of our history strongly influences how we view our own world. It is an important subject - sometimes subversive, often enlightening, endlessly fascinating, always challenging.

History is taught through a variety of methods and media. As well as reading and discussion, you will handle a lot of primary souces, study video extracts, re-live situations through simulations, prepare individual and group presentations, attend conferences, and pursue your own enquiries in libraries and through the internet. You will have to think for yourself.

Politics are at the centre of the course, because the actions of politicians have a profound effect on all of us in the past, present and future.

IB History offers an exciting opportunity to study a broad global range of topics. The topics studied by both SL and HL students are: International Relations 1918-1936; the causes, practices and effects of wars, with a focus on the two World Wars; the origins and development of authoritatian and single-party states, including the rise of Communism and Fascism, with a focus on Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini and Mao; and the Cold War. SL and HL students are prepared to sit the following external examinations: Paper 1 (documentary sources) and Paper 2 (essay questions). HL students are prepared for an additional essay examination, Paper 3. In addition, all History students have to submit a historical investigation of their own choice, which is internally assessed. We strongly advise any student wishing to study History at university to take History HL.

The assessment component for SL History is as follows:

• Paper 1 30%
• Paper 2 45%
• Internal Assessment 25%

The assessment component for HL students is as follows:

• Paper 1 20%
• Paper 2 25%
• Paper 3 35%
• Internal Assessment 20%

Students are not required to have studied History before.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme We require at least seven GCSEs with an average of Grade 6, including English Language and Maths. For subjects you wish to take at higher level you will need at least a grade 6. International Baccalaureate Career Programme We require at least five subjects at GCSE Grade 5 or higher, ideally including Mathematics and English and preferably with a grade 5 in your area of specialism. Strong interest in the vocational BTEC subject will need to be in evidence at the guidance meeting.