AS and A-level History will appeal to all those who take a critical interest in the past, and will best suit those who possess the capacity to communicate their ideas clearly. It will involve acquiring a certain amount of information but equally important will be the development or refining of certain historical skills, such as the interrogation of a variety of sources. Able students who have not previously studied the subject for public examination will not be disadvantaged if they decide to take it in the Sixth Form. Insofar as all subjects possess an historical dimension and all subjects prize critical analysis and clarity of expression, History will complement the entire range of subjects on offer at Repton.
AS Units
In the Lower Sixth all students take two units:
The Origins of the American Civil War, 1820 – 1861
The origins of the American Civil War examines the differences between the northern and southern states in America, how westward expansion led to increasing sectional tension, the decision of the South to secede, and why this led to civil war. The examination for this unit is source based and lasts one and a half hours.
British Foreign and Imperial Policy, 1856 – 1914
The final AS level unit covers the principles of British foreign and imperial policy, exploring, amongst other topics, the acquiring of possessions in Africa, involvement in the Crimean War, the origins of the First World War, and the extent of popular and cultural support for imperialism. This unit is also examined by means of two essays in an hour and a half exam.
A2 Units
In the Upper Sixth students continue to examine aspects of nineteenth and twentieth century American history.
The Era of Roosevelt, 1920 – 1941
This unit focuses on the nature of American society and its economy during a period when America experienced prosperity, depression and the onset of the Second World War, as well as the leadership of its longest serving president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Students consider prohibition, the Great Depression, the New Deal and American foreign policy. An important aspect of this course is the historiography; how historians have interpreted the period and Roosevelt himself. This unit is examined through two pieces of coursework of 2000 words each.
Civil Rights in the USA, 1865-1992
In this unit students are not expected to possess a detailed knowledge of the entire period, but must show an understanding of the key features of the period and elements of continuity and change. The focus of the unit covers the progress of African American civil rights, the women's rights movement, the labour and trade union movement and the civil rights of Native Americans. This unit is examined by means of two essays, lasting one and a half hours in total.
Overall, the AS and A2 syllabus offers the opportunity to study controversial topics in considerable depth. The two years as a whole form a coherent chronological and theoretical structure, allowing students to develop their skills as historians. Beyond A level, History, with its emphasis on critical thinking and argument, is a popular qualification for entry to a wide range of courses in higher education.