National/Higher History aims to help pupils understand the political, social and economic forces which have affected individuals and groups throughout the passage of time. The Courses develop a breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of the people, places and events in the past. They also offer challenging, coherent and enjoyable journeys for learners who progress through levels. It is concerned with past Scottish, British issues. The course provides pupils with opportunities to consider how political, social, economic and cultural history relates to today’s world. From events in the First World War to the study of the Civil Rights Movement in America pupils will gain an understanding of the way in which these events have shaped the present day, and more importantly how many issues are still relevant. History provides pupils the skills to interpret these events and gives them transferable skills to make informed decisions. It also teaches pupils desirable higher order thinking skills which is a widely sought after skill in any job market. Universities and companies always welcome those with History qualifications due to these transferable skills.
In recent years the History department has organised WW1 battlefield tours and has also sent pupils to visit Auschwitz as part of the Holocaust Education Trust scheme. Pupils may also visit Stirling or Edinburgh castles.
History is taught in the BGE as part of the Social Studies BGE course and in the Senior Phase at National 3/4/5 and HigherLevel.
NATIONAL COURSE
Scottish Context – Migration and Empire 1830 – 1939.
Pupils will study the period of 1830 – 1939 in which a huge number of immigrants entered Scotland including Irish, Lithuanian, Jewish and Italian settlers. Pupils will not only focus on the reasons for this movement but also the impact of these settlers on Scottish life, most notably that of Irish immigrants whose impact is still evident today. Then, pupils will examine Scottish emigration overseas once again focusing on not only the reasons for this but the impact Scots had on their new homelands. Pupils will be developing their source skills, research skills and analytical skills throughout.
British Context – The Making of Modern Britain, 1850 - 1951
Pupils will study the time period when Britain underwent a huge amount of change. During this unit pupils will focus on poverty around about the 1900’s and the reasons why attitudes changed from ‘laissez-faire’. The course also focuses on the Liberal and Labour Reforms, more specifically the impact this had on social reform in Britain. Pupils will be developing their source skills, research skills and analytical skills throughout in an attempt to contextualise the Britain that we live in today.
British Context – Free at Last? Race relations in the USA 1918 – 68.
As stated, this unit ties in very closely to an area of previous study. Pupils will examine various aspects of the Civil Rights Movement in America, beginning with immigration to America then focusing on the treatments of black American’s under the system of ‘Jim Crow’ where pupils will look at various groups such as the KKK. The remainder of this unit focuses on the struggle for civil rights by either peaceful or violent means. This unit is perfect for pupils to further develop their analytical skills and consequently communication skills as they are constantly asked to reflect on the events and their relevance to today’s society.
Assessment
National History involves a final assessment worth 80% The remaining marks are gained through an Added Value Unit/Assignment which allows pupils to study a relevant topic of their choice analysing the key issues and also developing research skills.
Recent examples include: female suffrage, reasons behind Irish immigration, impact of groups such as the KKK on black Southerners.
Internal unit assessments will assess pupil progress
HIGHER COURSE
Scottish Context – Migration and Empire 1830 – 1939.
The Scottish context is solely focused on source questions. This would be particularly beneficial to pupils who have progressed naturally from National 5 as the topic content would be familiar to them however, it is a topic easily accessible to those who may not have done so. Pupils will study the period of 1830 – 1939 in which a huge number of immigrants entered Scotland including Irish, Lithuanian, Jewish and Italian settlers. Pupils will not only focus on the reasons for this movement but also the impact of these settlers on Scottish life, most notably that of Irish immigrants whose impact is still evident today. Then, pupils will examine Scottish emigration overseas once again focusing on not only the reasons for this but the impact Scots had on their new homelands.
British Context – Britain 1851 – 1928.
Pupils will study an array of historical issues throughout this period in order to create essays which they will be required to reproduce in the exam. Areas which pupils will study are reasons why women gained the vote in 1928, examining the roles of organisations such as the Suffragettes in the fight for female enfranchisement. Pupils will also examine the Liberal government of 1906-1914 focusing on the reasons why they introduced social welfare reforms and also the success of such reforms. Finally, pupils will examine the success of Labours social welfare reforms 1945-51 where pupils will have the opportunity to look at the foundations of the a current national phenomenon, the NHS. Pupils will not only further their own research skills but gain valuable essay writing skills which are particularly desirable if pupils wish to continue to further or higher education.
European and World Context – Germany 1815-1939
Pupils will study an array of historical issues throughout this period in order to create essays which they will be required to reproduce in the exam. Areas which pupils will study are reasons why nationalist feeling grows in what, today, we would call Germany and the events surrounding the creation of Germany. Pupils will also look at the German Nazi party, examining the reasons why this party was able to come to power but more interestingly the reasons behind Hitler’s longevity as the German leader. Pupils will not only further their own research skills but gain valuable essay writing skills which are particularly desirable if pupils wish to continue to further or higher education.
Assessment
Higher History has a final assessment worth 73%. The remainder of the mark is an assignment where the student chooses a relevant topic of their choice and advises the government on the best course of action to address the issue.
Recent examples include: The Suffragette movement, the rise of the Nazis and success of Labour in tackling the 5 giants of poverty.
Internal unit assessments will assess pupil progress
Careers where a History qualification is useful include;
Teaching, journalism and any media profession, historical researcher, lawyer, social work, archaeologist, archivist, politics, politics, civil service, museum/gallery curator, academic librarian, intelligence work, human resources, research work, communications.