History reading suggestions

For people with UCAS and university interviews on their mind, reading a history book is always a good way to find inspiration.

David Aaronovitch of The Times has helpfully made some recommendations, which include "The Ascent of Money" by Niall Ferguson, which looks at the global history of finance and "The Birth of the Modern World 1788-1800" by Jay Winik, which considers the connections between the momentous political events of the late 18th Century. Both books would obviously provide helpful parallels with our current political and economic problems.

Tudor Historians may find "Mary Tudor:England's First Queen" of interest as it takes quite a sympathetic view of her and David Starkey's "Henry-The Virtuous Prince" looks closely at the often neglected early years of Henry VIII's life.



EH Carr's "What is History" is the classic introduction to the nature of the subject and some ideas of historiography. Although it was published 48 years ago, it still contains many stimulating ideas to get the historian thinking. Other books that follow similar ideas, often written in response to Carr, include Geoffrey Elton's "The Practice of History, Richard Evans' "In Defence of History" and John Tosh's "The Pursuit of History". More information about these ideas can be seen at the Institute of History's special section on "What is History" here and in the Open University's website here.

If you are looking for further inspiration on what to read, check the "History Reviews" sections of the newspapers. Here is a link to the The Guardian's History Books section. The Institute of Historical Research also has an extensive Reviews Section

Please pass on any recommendations for books you have enjoyed, and happy reading!

Year 10 Coursework

Useful information for the Year 10 Women's Coursework can be found here. (Please read the "Read this first!" file)

UPDATE: Pages 26-31 have been added as a Word Document. The text is there but you'll have to imagine the pictures for yourselves!

Year 7 Renaissance Project

Here are some useful links to help Year 7s complete their Renaissance Project

schoolhistory.co.uk's site - a good place to start.
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/year8links/renaissance.shtml

Lots of interesting material can be found here
http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/
Infomation on Galileo
http://galileo.rice.edu/
Website for Leonardo da Vinci
http://www.mos.org/leonardo/
Journey through the Renaissance - have fun!
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005356/index2.htm

Year 13 Scheme of Work (A2 European)

Click here for our Year 13 Scheme of Work (A2 European)

Year 13 Scheme of Work (A2 British)

Click here to access the Year 13 Scheme of Work (A2 British)

Year 12 Scheme of Work (AS European)

Here is the scheme of work for Year 12 (AS European)

Year 12 Scheme of Work (AS British)

Here is the Scheme of Work for Year 12 (AS British)

Year 11 Scheme of Work

Here is the link to the Year 11 Scheme of Work

Year 7 Scheme of Work

Here are the links to the Year 7 Scheme of Work
The Battle of Hastings and the Middle Ages
The Renaissance

In Year 7 we begin Key Stage 3 by studying "What is History?", looking at the key skills that will be needed to be good historians. We ask questions like:
How do we measure time?
How do historians work out what happened in the past?
How do historians explain how something happened?
How can we become better historians?



We examine key skills such as
Chronology
Significance
Interpretation
Causation
Change over time
Use of evidence (both content and provenance)
Understanding diversity

In the Autumn and Spring Terms we examine the main events and themes in Medieval English history, including:
The Battle of Hastings
How did William take control of England?
The development of castles
Religion in the Middle Ages
The role of Medieval Kings
Henry II and Thomas Becket
Richard I and the Crusades
King John and the Magna Carta
The Black Death
Life in Medieval Towns and Villages



In the Summer Term we study the Renaissance, considering when and why it took place and how art, architecture, literature and science changed during the period. We also visit Rochester Castle (shown above) and Cathedral.

There are assessments throughout the year, including an exam in the summer.

Year 8 Scheme of Work

Here is the link to the Year 8 Scheme of Work

In the Autumn Term in Year 8 we study the Tudors, from Henry VII to Elizabeth. We look at key questions such as:
Why did Henry VIII break from Rome?
Did Edward VI achieve anything before he died?
Does Mary deserve her "bloody" reputation?
How significant is Elizabeth in English history?



In the Spring Term we look at the Stuarts, and consider issues such as:
Were the Gunpowder Plotters framed?
What were the causes of the Civil War?
Did Charles I deserve to be executed?
Was Oliver Cromwell a hero or a villain?
Was the Great Fire of London a blessing in disguise?



In the Summer Term we examine the Industrial Revolution. We consider its causes, key inventions and individuals, and its consequences. We look at how ordinary people's lives were affected, how people's electoral rights began to improve, and discover if we have what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur.

Year 9 Scheme of Work

Here is the link to the Year 9 Scheme of Work

In the Autumn Term we look at the history of the British Empire, concentrating especially on events in India, including the creation of the East India Company, the Indian Mutiny, and the significance of Gandhi in the independence movement.



The next topic is The Black Peoples of America which begins by considering how the slave trade was created and why people were shipped in their millions against their will to the Americas. It then concentrates on the role of black people in the United States, considering the Civil War and Reconstruction, Segragation and the Civil Rights Movement, considering figures such as Jesse Owens, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Barack Obama.



We then consider the causes of the First World War and what it was like to take part in the conflict. Year 9 visits the National Army Museum in Chelsea to gain further insights into military life.

After the Summer Exams we begin the GCSE course, looking first at the rise to power of Hitler and the Nazi Party, concentrating especially on the years from 1929-33, when he became Chancellor of Germany.

Year 10 Scheme of Work

Here is the link to the Year 10 Scheme of Work

Year 10 (2009-2010) will be studying the AQA History "B" GCSE Course. More information can be found on the AQA website here.

First we will examine Hitler's Germany from 1933 to 1939, completing the course that was begun in Year 9. We will look at how he developed his position from Chancellor to Fuhrer, and how the Nazi Party maintained control of the country.

We then study Russia from 1914-1924, considering the final years of the Tsar, how the Communists were able to take control during the November Revolution and Civil War, and how successful Lenin was in creating a new Communist society.



In the Spring and Summer Terms we will look at the Cold War in its entirity, from 1945-1991, examining how the USA and USSR became rivals after World War II, key events such as the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War, the Hungarian Uprising, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Detente, war in Afghanistan and the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe. Key figures such as Truman, Stalin, Kennedy, Khrushchev, Reagan and Gorbachev will be considered.

Key skills required for success at GCSE will include:

• Communicating knowledge and understanding of historical events and concepts


• Explaining the causes and consequences of key events


• Considering elements of change and continuity within a historical period


• Considering key features and charactersitics of the periods studied


• Analysing and evaluating source material, considering both its content and provenance


• Considering how the past has been interpreted and represented in different ways

Welcome

Welcome to the Nonsuch History Department website. This is the place to look for news about the department, schemes of work and other useful materials.