COURSE

The National 5 course in History gives learners skills in explaining historical developments and events, and in evaluating historical sources.

The course is divided into 3 units which cover a variety of historical periods including Scottish and British, European and World.

CONTENT

Scottish
Unit One:  The Era of the Great War, 1900-1928

A study of the experiences of Scots in the Great War and its impact on life in Scotland focusing on the impact of technology and the way in which life changed for people at home during and after the war.

• Scots on the Western Front
• Domestic impact of war: society and culture
• Domestic impact of war: industry and economy
• Domestic impact of war: politics

British
Unit Two:  The Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 A study of the nature of the British Atlantic slave trade in the late eighteenth century, changing attitudes towards it in Britain and the pressures that led to its abolition, illustrating the themes of rights, exploitation and culture.

• Triangular Trade
• Britain and the Caribbean
• The captives experience and slave resistance
• The abolitionist campaigns

European and World
Unit Three:  Free at Last? Civil Rights in the USA 1918 – 68
A study of the development of race relations in the USA during the years 1918 – 68, illustrating themes of ideas, identity and power.

• The ‘Open Door’ policy and immgration, to 1928
• ‘Separate but equal’, to 1939
• Civil rights campaigns, 1945-64
• The ghettos and black American radicalism.

 

TYPICAL LESSON

 Your History lessons will include a variety of different learning opportunities such as:

• Co-operative and active learning in pairs and groups
• Class discussions and debates
• Utilising ICT
• Source handling skills
• Role play
• Utilising a variety of stimulating audio and visual materials
• Note taking
• Researching

These activities, while enjoyable, will prepare you thoroughly for the internal and external assessments as well as skills for your future career.

HOW WILL IT BE ASSESSED?

You will be presented for the National 5 award in History.

At the end of each unit, candidates sit an internal school based course assessment.  At the end of the course they sit an external examination set by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

The exam is set by SQA, 2 hours 20 minutes and out of 80. Your final award is determined by your performance in the exam and the assignment.

The assignment is an internally prepared piece of writing in class which is then sent to the SQA to be externally marked.  This element of the course is worth 20% of a candidate’s final grade.

CAREERS/PROGRESSION

Studying History can provide relevant and essential skills for a variety of different careers such as:

Teacher                       Writer
Editor                           Reporter
Journalist                     Programme researcher/TV work
Lawyer                        Social Work
Archaeologist               Civil Service
Interior design              Police Force.