AS/A Level GCE (for first teaching in 2008) History B - H108 H508

A. History B represents a distinct alternative to conventional specifications as it encourages candidates to explore the nature of the discipline of history. It is organised around 4 crucial aspects of the subject and candidates are required to explore the theoretical and methodological issues behind these aspects before applying them through the study of their chosen historical topics. Each unit has a distinct approach, and in combination delivers overall progression.

A. At AS candidates will study theories of historical explanation and the role of sources in historical enquiry. A2 units build on these by looking at the role of interpretations in history and at historical significance. There is clear progression from AS to A2. In A2 issues of explanation and the use of sources are revisited at a higher level in the context of how and why historians disagree. The coursework (on significance) requires a synthesis of all the skills and understandings acquired across the whole course of study

A. For each of the non-coursework units there is a choice of eight options, four British and four non-British. There are always two medieval, two early modern, and four modern options (of which two are predominantly 19th Century and two are 20th Century). Thus it is easy to construct courses of study that fit in with existing preferred periods. There is a minimum requirement of 25% British History.
The options have been chosen to allow progression from GCSE in some areas, and have also been informed by popular topics in existing specifications. There are also new topics in the specification that are in keeping with recent developments in the subject. Over the last fifty years, the study of history has developed links with other disciplines and these links are represented in several parts of this specification. The range of topics includes many exciting and innovative options designed to enthuse teachers and candidates and to make possible a wider range of teaching methods.

A. Each of the four units is designed to be introduced through a consideration of the relevant theoretical and methodological issues. This approach enables teachers to build on the approaches of the GCSE Schools History Project, which examines history from a variety of perspectives. However, these introductory sections also make the specification accessible to candidates with no prior experience of studying history, and comprehensive resources and guidance are available for teachers for whom this is a new approach. OCR History B and History A have been designed to be equally accessible.

A. Yes. In response to centre demand, OCR will be publishing past papers for live specifications on the OCR website. These will be free of charge. Question papers from the June 2008 series will be available to download from OCR Interchange only. Further details are available from OCR Interchange.

A. OCR is working in partnership with individual publishers for different subject groups. Comprehensive resources are being developed by these Publishing Partners and others to support the specification and complement the support available from OCR. For details of our partners view the support page.

A. Schemes of Work and Lesson Plans. The majority of these materials are now available online, in fixed PDF format, for reference purposes, and also in Word format, so that teachers can adapt the materials for their own use. All outstanding Support Materials will be available by January 2008.

A. The Schemes of Work contain suggestions on time allocation, teaching activities and resources .The sample Lesson Plans provide specific ideas on delivery of a few of the topics for some unit options. Both resources are intended to offer teachers a range of practical delivery ideas that they can mould to suit their needs, and their students needs.