History

Course summary

Year 12 is focused on two markedly different communist states. The first is a breadth study of the USSR from 1917 to its collapse in 1991. The second is a depth study on Mao’s China from 1949 to 1976. Both of these topics are fascinating. You will learn how these Communist regimes' attempts to force their interpretation of Marx’s theories onto countries not ready for such seismic political change resulted in some of the worst atrocities seen in the twentieth century. In Year 13, you will complete your coursework module on the Holocaust. You choose your own question to study and research it yourself. Lessons become more akin to a university-style seminar debate and you develop the skills required to become independent historians. The final module is on the Tudors between 1485 and 1603, examining how they dramatically changed the course of British history.