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

Units

Please find below the units which are available for this qualification.

For AS Level

Unit Type

Unit Information

Assessment Method and Weighting
NOTE: Candidates must do one of F981 and F982, and one of F983 and F984

Optional
F981: Historical Explanation - British History or
F982: Historical Explanation - Non British History

Candidates will explore the theory and practice of explanation - of ideas, actions and events - located in topics spanning 20-40 years (British and non-British options available).

1 hour 30 min exam

AS - 50%

A Level - 25%

Optional
F983: Historical Evidence - British History or
F984: Historical Evidence - Non British History

This unit considers the theory and use of evidence. Candidates will for example consider the distinction between historical sources and historical evidence, and between primary and secondary sources; and the wide range of different types of historical sources e.g. written, pictorial, statistical, and the different issues they raise as well as the different uses they have.

Candidates will study a topic of approximately 100 years in duration - from a choice of British and non-British options - and in examination will use sources to test a hypothesis.

1 hour 30 min exam

AS - 50%

A Level - 25%
For A2 Level

Mandatory
F985: Historical Controversies - British History or
F986: Historical Controversies - Non British History

Building on earlier units, candidates study how and why historians disagree about the past - exploring how different methodologies lead to different interpretations. Candidates will then consider different approaches to their chosen topics.

Options include: Different interpretations of British Imperialism 1850-1950; Different American Wests 1840-1900; Debates about the Holocaust.

3 hour examination

A Level - 30%

Mandatory
F987: Historical Significance

In this final unit, candidates examine the vocabulary of significance and the different means of measuring significance. Candidates prepare an Individual Study (of up to 3000 words) backed by a Research Diary to demonstrate their understanding and methods.

Coursework

A Level - 20%

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