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International School Ikast-Brande
KS4 History

Curriculum overview

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The Cambridge IGCSE History syllabus looks at some of the major international issues of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as well as covering the history of particular regions in more depth. The emphasis is on both historical knowledge and on the skills required for historical research.   Learners develop an understanding of the nature of cause and effect, continuity and change, similarity and difference and find out how to use and understand historical evidence as part of their studies. They will gain a greater understanding of international issues and inter-relationships Cambridge IGCSE History will stimulate any learner already interested in the past, providing a basis for further study, and also encouraging a lifelong interest in the subject.

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Lessons cover a variety of topics in different years. The following is a breakdown for each year group:

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  • WW1

  • Weimar Germany

  • League of Nations, the collapse of peace by 1939

  • The Cold War and attempts of the USA to contain communism.

  • Key case studies:

  • The Vietnam War

  • The Korean War

  • The Gulf Matters from 1970 to 2000

  • Depth study on Germany 1918 to 1945

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Topics to be studied:

Assessment and coursework

The assessment objectives in Cambridge IGCSE History are:

  • an ability to recall, select, organise and deploy knowledge of the syllabus content

  • an ability to construct historical explanations using an understanding of:

    • cause and consequence, change and continuity, similarity and difference

    • the motives, emotions, intentions and beliefs of people in the past

  • an ability to understand, interpret, evaluate and use a range of sources as evidence, in their historical context.

Examinations

Candidates are awarded grades A* to G.

Cambridge IGCSE History candidates take three components.

 

All candidates take Component 1 and Component 2, and choose either Component 3 or Component 4.

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All candidates must take:

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Component 1 – Written (structured essay)

This is a structured essay question.  Candidates answer two questions from Section A (Core Content) and one question from Section B (Depth Study). This paper lasts 2 hours and is worth 40% of the final grade.

 

 

Component 2 – Written (prescribed topic)

This paper requires students to answer six different questions on a prescribed topic. There is a range of source material relating to the topic.  This paper lasts 2 hours and is worth 33% of the final grade.

 

Students must then choose either:

 

Component 3 – Coursework

Candidates produce one piece of extended writing based on a Depth study. This coursework is worth 27% of the final grade.

 

Or

 

Component 4 – Written (alternative to coursework)

 

This paper requires students to answer one question based on a Depth study.  This paper lasts 1 hour and is worth 27% of the final grade.

 

 

Exam preparation throughout the course

 

Throughout their studies, students are assessed regularly with exam style questions. All students are given the best possible opportunity to succeed and are consistently facilitated to reach their targets. Structured intervention is put in place in year 11 to further enhance student’s opportunity to achieve the best grade possible. 

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