History allows students to explore stories of the past through historical enquiries and scholarship with dynamic, contemporary and exciting opportunities to engage with the world around them. At A-Level, this is further explored through the study of rights, freedoms and empire. Route F: Searching for rights and freedoms in the 20th century The options in Route F are linked by the common theme of a search for rights, freedoms and greater equality during the twentieth century. Studying two different countries allows students to develop a greater understanding of both similarities and differences in the search for greater rights, freedoms and equality in the twentieth century world. Year 12 Paper 1, Option 1F: In search of the American Dream: the USA, 1917–96 This option comprises a study in breadth, in which students will learn about the dramatic political, economic and social transformation of the USA in the twentieth century, an era that saw the USA challenged by the consequences of political, economic and social inequalities at home and of its involvement in international conflict. The focus of study is on developments and changes over a broad timescale and so the content is presented as themes spanning a significant duration: 1917-80. This option also contains a study in depth of historical interpretations on a broad question, which is contextualised by, and runs on from, the themes: what impact the Reagan presidency had on the USA in the years 1981–96. Paper 2, Option 2F.1: India, c1914–48: the road to independence This option comprises a study in depth of the transition of the Indian sub-continent from a colony to independence. The gaining of Indian independence influenced both the nature of civil rights campaigning and the search for national self-determination throughout the world. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the changing relationship between Britain and India from the outbreak of the First World War to the achievement of independence for the Indian sub-continent, and of the reasons for this, with particular reference to Indian nationalism. Year 13 Paper 3, Option 35.1: Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763–1914 This option comprises two parts: the Aspects in breadth focus on long-term changes and contextualise the Aspects in depth, which focus in detail on key episodes. Together, the breadth and depth topics explore the development of the British empire and the part played in this by the Royal Navy and merchant marine. Looking at social, economic and political issues, students will study a series of developments that started with an imperial catastrophe which threatened to reduce Britain once more to a European offshore island, but would then transform Britain's standing in the world so that by the end of the period it had the largest empire the world has known. Coursework Students complete a 3000-4000 word independently researched enquiry on historical interpretations, which is similar to what is expected from an Undergraduate History essay. This will be focused on the different interpretations around the origins of the Cold War.