Aims & Objectives

Course Aims

• Encourage the systematic and critical study of: human experience and behaviour; physical, economic and social environments; and the history and development of social and cultural institutions

• Develop in the student the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society

• Enable the student to collect, describe and analyse data used in studies of society, to test hypotheses, and to interpret complex data and source material

• Promote the appreciation of the way in which learning is relevant both to the culture in which the student lives, and the culture of other societies

• Develop an awareness in the student that human attitudes and beliefs are widely diverse and that the study of society requires an appreciation of such diversity

• Enable the student to recognize that the content and methodologies of the individuals and societies subjects are contestable and that their study requires the toleration of uncertainty

• Develop an understanding of, and continuing interest in, the past

• Encourage students to engage with multiple perspectives and to appreciate the complex nature of historical concepts, issues, events and developments

• Promote international-mindedness through the study of history from more than one region of the world

• Develop an understanding of history as a discipline and to develop historical consciousness including a sense of chronology and context, and an understanding of different historical perspectives

• Develop key historical skills, including engaging effectively with sources

• Increase students understanding of themselves and of contemporary society by encouraging reflection on the past

Assessment Objectives

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate detailed, relevant and accurate historical knowledge

• demonstrate understanding of historical concepts and context

• demonstrate understanding of historical sources

Application and analysis

• formulate clear and coherent arguments

• use relevant historical knowledge to effectively support analysis

• analyse and interpret a variety of sources

Synthesis and evaluation

• integrate evidence and analysis to produce a coherent response

• evaluate different perspectives on historical issues and events, and integrate this evaluation effectively into a response

• evaluate sources as historical evidence, recognizing their value and limitations

• synthesise information from a selection of relevant sources

Use and application of appropriate skills

• structure and develop focused essays that respond effectively to the demands of a question

• reflect on the methods used by, and challenges facing, the historian

• formulate an appropriate, focused question to guide a historical inquiry

• demonstrate evidence of research skills, organization, referencing and selection of appropriate sources