History is about exploring the past, and the events and developments which have shaped today’s world. Through doing this you also develop skills relevant to the world of work, such as the processing of large amounts of varied information, and the ability to devise and present argument – both oral and written – concisely and fluently. It also encourages you to use your initiative and to undertake independent study. Our course at Holy Cross uses a variety of teaching methods to help you develop these skills, and we arrange a number of visits to local museums to complement the work we do in the classroom. For the past two years we have also been able to offer all History students the chance to take part in trips to Germany and Dublin.
History is well established in Higher Education – particularly with the leading universities - and respected by employers. It is also useful if you are considering careers in teaching (all levels), law, museums, tourism and leisure, information services, the media and management – both private and public sectors, and the civil service. Many Holy Cross students go on to take degrees in History or related subjects.
Our course concentrates on the late nineteenth and the twentieth century. In AS you will study two modules, the first on Britain and Ireland, concentrating on the story of how Ireland gained its independence, and the second on Russia from the Tsars through two world wars and the 1ti17 revolution to the death of Stalin in the 1ti50s. The first module leads to an exam in January and will involve looking at sources, whereas the second leads to an exam in June where you have to write two essays. In A2 you are required to complete a piece of coursework, which is likely to be on the changing nature of warfare, and to sit a June exam of German history from 1ti00 to the fall of Hitler, using both source and essay writing techniques.
AS & A2
General college entry requirements. (See page 10 for details.) If you have taken GCSE History you need to have grade C or above. If you have not taken GCSE History you need to have grade C in an essay writing subject (e.g. English Language, English Literature, Religious Studies).