All pupils at Charterhouse study History in the Fourth Form. The course traces the history of international conflict in the twentieth century, looking particularly at the First and Second World Wars, and the development of conflict in Ireland and the Middle East. In addition, all pupils undertake a research project in the School’s archives, investigating the lives of Carthusians who died in the First World War.
CIE IGCSE: 0470
The History Department follows the International GCSE course offered by Cambridge International Examinations, part of the OCR examinations group. Full details of the course can be found at www.cie.org.uk. The IGCSE History course covers International Relations from 1919 to 1989, complementing the Fourth Form course which traces the development of conflict in the twentieth century. It begins with a study of the attempts at peacemaking after the First World War, followed by the collapse of peace in the 1930s. The Cold War is traced from its origins to the collapse of the Soviet Union and its satellite states. In addition the history of two countries (Germany 1918-45 and Russia 1905-41) is studied in more depth, with two pieces of coursework, amounting to one quarter of the final grade, being undertaken on the latter. Emphasis is placed on a variety of skills, especially the ability to analyse documentary material and communicate relevant information effectively. IGCSE is not a prerequisite for Pre-U History.
W J Lane
It is not necessary to have studied GCSE History before taking the subject as a Specialist.
The syllabus consists of four components:
1. British History outlines
2. Non-British History outlines
3. Special Subject
4. Personal Investigation
The first two components will be taught in the first year. They will both involve the study of a substantial period of History (approximately 100 years) and will be examined by papers, each requiring the candidate to write three essays in 2 ¼ hours, at the end of the second year.
The third component, taught in the second year, is the study of a topic in depth, based on original documents. It will be examined by a two-hour paper. The first section of this paper is a document commentary exercise, the second an essay written with reference to original documents.
The fourth component will be an extended essay of 3,500 – 4,000 words on a topic of the candidate’s choice, supervised by the History department and written during the second year.
The department will offer courses in the medieval, early modern and modern periods. Topics likely to be offered include the Crusades, the Reformation, modern China, and the Civil Rights movement in the United States. Details of the courses will be made available to pupils in May, when they will be invited to express a preference for the course they wish to follow.
History combines well with almost any other subject because it requires both the empirical skills of science and the creative imagination of the arts.
History is one of the most versatile departure points for pupils considering university courses. Many of our pupils go on to study History at undergraduate level, but some will opt for related disciplines such as Law or PPE. Even those moving into unrelated areas will find that the intellectual skills fostered by the study of History – the ability to analyse, explore and communicate in a clear yet interesting way – will be profoundly useful.
W.J. Lane