Why History?

The key aims of studying history are to gain a breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of historical themes through a study of chosen period contexts. It is also intended to enable you to develop skills in explaining historical developments and events, evaluating sources and drawing conclusions.

Broad General Education

S1

In S1 Pupils will have one teacher for Social Subjects. For the first 13 weeks they will study History. Firstly they complete a unit of work entitled ‘What is History’, which takes around two weeks and teaches our young people about key themes such as chronology, primary sources and historical evidence. This is followed by a seven week block in which they will study ‘The Scottish Wars of Independence’, a key time period in our local and national history. To enhance the learning pupils will spend one period with the education officer from a local museum studying artefacts and will also visit the site of the Battle of Bannockburn. In October pupils spend one week on the theme of ‘Remembrance’. Finally, pupils spend three weeks investigating whether the 1960s were a ‘turbulent time of change’, researching the themes of racism, transport and militarism, among others.

S2

In S2 pupils study the Nazis, World War One and the Atlantic Slave Trade.

S3

Pupils in S3 get the chance to study World War 2, examining the early success of the Nazis in the war. They then study Mary Queen of Scots and the Scottish Reformation, focusing on Mary’s early life, up to her return from France.

Senior Phase

National 4 and 5

Course outline

• Scottish topic – Mary Queen of Scots and the Reformation
• British topic – The making of Modern Britain 1880-1951
• European and world topic – World War 2 (carried on from S3)

Assessment

National 5

• The final exam consists of one paper which covers the three topics studied and is made up of knowledge-based questions and evaluation of historical sources.
• There is also an Added Value Unit which is worth 20% of the final grade. Pupils choose a topic they wish to study and write a report on this under exam conditions.

National 4

• Pupils are expected to pass internal unit tests and completed an Added Value Unit. Successful completion of these will be rewarded with a National 4 award. There is no final exam.

Higher

Course outline

• Scottish topic – The Treaty of Union 1689 – 1740
• British topic – Britain 1851 – 1951
• European and World topic – Appeasement and the Road to War

Entry to the course

You would normally be expected to have gained at least an A-C pass in National 5 History or an A-B pass at National 5 in another Social Subject. If you have not sat any Social Subjects previously, we would expect at least a B in National 5 English.

Assessment

• Final exam consists of evaluation of historical sources in the Scottish topic and one essay in each of the other topics.
• An assignment must be carried out, whereby pupils choose a topic they wish to study and write an essay on this topic under exam conditions. This is worth 33% of the final grade.

Advanced Higher

Rationale

For those who already have an interest in History, the Advanced Higher course gives an opportunity to study a topic in-depth and with an emphasis on independent learning. The course is especially suited to those who are about to go to University, studying virtually any subject, because of its academic rigour and teaching and learning techniques.

Entry to the course

A Higher History pass at grade A or B is expected, but those who have not studied History at Higher level may be eligible, please talk to Mr. MacKay.

Course Outline

• The Spanish Civil War 1931- 39

This is an endlessly fascinating and highly debated period of modern history in which the themes of ideology, identity and international co-operation and conflict are explored.

Historical Research

This unit requires you to carry out an in-depth study of a historical topic and write a dissertation on it. The dissertation should be around 4000 words and have an introduction, development and conclusion. This work will enhance your research and presentation skills and encourage the more sophisticated skills of source analysis, sustained reasoning and independent study.

This is a chance to produce a piece of work that is original and something of which to be proud.

Assessment

Units are assessed internally and must be achieved. The final award is decided by the dissertation and the final exam, in which two essays are written and source based questions answered.