History - Leigh Academy Ebbsfleet

Why this course?

Studying IB History provides students with a deep understanding of significant historical events and processes that have shaped the world. The course encourages critical thinking, analysis of historical evidence, and understanding multiple perspectives. It prepares students for further education in history or related fields and develops skills valuable in various careers.

Course Content

Unit 1: Focused Study: Protest and Change
We study the causes and impact of Apartheid on South Africans and the Civil Rights movement of America using sources and interpretations.
Unit 2: Thematic Study: Authoritarian Rule
Explore the leadership of Hitler in Germany, Stalin in Russia and Mao in China, how they gained and maintained power.
Unit 3: Regional Study: Europe
Study key developments in European History in the 19th and 20th Century, including WW1, WW2 and the Cold War.
Historical Investigation:
An individual project on a topic of the student’s choice. Use skills developed across the other units to research, analyse and evaluate knowledge

Assessment

You will sit three two hour written exams – each exam will be worth a third of the A-level. The papers will feature a range of question styles.

Paper 1:
Source-based paper on focussed study
1hr 15 mins exam – 3 questions
20% of grade

Paper 2:
Essay paper on authoritarian rule
1hr 45 mins exam -2 sections in the exam
25% of grade

Paper 3:
Essay paper on European History
2 hrs exam – 2 essay questions
35% of grade

Internal Assessment:
Historical Investigation
Research and choose your own question to investigate
20% of Grade

Student Profile

Successful IB History students are inquisitive, enjoy reading and researching, and are able to critically evaluate sources. They should be comfortable discussing their ideas and be open to considering different viewpoints.