AWARD RECEIVED –
Advanced Higher – History
ENTRY LEVEL – What do I need to do it?
Students will normally be expected to have attained a pass at Higher History, preferably a grade A or B. Exceptional circumstances will be considered on their merits.
COURSE CONTENT – What will I learn?
The course is made up of two units: Historical Study and Researching Historical Issues.
- Historical Study:
Over the course of the year, you will acquire a depth of knowledge and understanding about Russia from 1914-1945, including topics such as the revolutions of 1917, the Civil War, the rise of Stalin, the Terror of the 1930s and the Second World War.
You will be expected to develop the skills required to analyse complex historical issues, evaluate sources and draw detailed conclusions. These skills will be used to write advanced essays, which will include references to historians and historical debate. You will also need to engage with historical sources and answer three different types of source questions: 2 source comparison, how fully and evaluate the usefulness.
- Researching Historical Issues:
In this section you are required to carry out an independent research project which leads to the production of a 4000 word dissertation. The dissertation should be based on a topic of study from the Historical Study unit – Russia 1914-1945.
This gives you the opportunity to develop, in a historical context, the skills of: planning, researching, analysing, synthesising, evaluating and presenting.
TEACHING METHODS – What will I do?
In the History department, we use a variety of teaching methods. You will be working as an independent individual much of the time, but there will also be opportunities to work in pairs, groups or as a whole class. There is a great deal of reading and writing to be done for Advanced Higher History. Your teacher will have high expectations of your levels of personal effort. Students are expected to make good use of the well-stocked Advanced Higher library. Your teacher will endeavour to make your learning as active and engaging as possible. Advanced Higher History teaches you many skills that you will use at university and in later life.
ASSESSMENT
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Added value (This is SQA language for a piece of course-work.) |
In Advanced Higher, the Added Value element is the dissertation. Students select the subject of their dissertation from a topic they have studied in class. You will work on this throughout the year, in class and at home. It is submitted by April and is marked by the SQA. It is worth 50 marks – 36% of your overall grade. |
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Exam |
For Advanced Higher History, there is a three hour examination which is worth 90 marks overall – 64% of your overall grade. Students are expected to write two 25 mark essays from a choice of five, and answer three source-based questions which are worth a total of 40 marks.
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HOMEWORK
Students are expected to develop their knowledge and understanding of the on-going course by regular reading of relevant sections of books in the department’s library. Dissertations will require considerable individual research, analysis and organisation. At key times during the session, homework will involve preparation for internal assessments.
PROGRESSION
An Advanced Higher History award could lead to a university/college degree course and/or employment in such fields as Law, Business, Civil Service, Arts, Social Subjects (History, Politics, Sociology, Psychology, Economics), Libraries, Museums, Social Work, Teaching and Caring & Advisory Services.
