The GCSE History course involves the study of modern world history from the end of the First World War to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Topics covered include the peace treaties after the First World War, the rise of Hitler and Germany between the wars, the Second World War, the Cold War, and the Civil Rights and Women's Movements in America.
One examination paper tests knowledge whilst the other is primarily concerned with testing the candidates' skills in handling historical sources (such as photographs, cartoons and newspapers). There is also a piece of controlled assessment, for which the pupils focus on events in Northern Ireland.
Students are taught to develop a range of historical skills that they can apply to other periods if they choose to take the subject further. However, the modern period is the medium chosen to develop these skills because of the abundance of source materials (particularly film) and because most students regard this period as being the most ‘relevant’. It certainly provides them with an unrivalled opportunity of gaining a valuable insight into the background to today's world.