Project Description
Programme Specification
Subject Aims
- History students will develop a knowledge and understanding of human activity in the past.
- Students will be able to promote understanding of the present through the development of a historical perspective on issues of contemporary importance.
- They will develop knowledge and understanding of Irish, European and world history.
- They will develop an understanding of historical concepts.
- To provide students with a perspective of change in a world of change.
- They will be able to develop a variety of historical skills which can be applied to the world of work and to many other aspects of life.
Rationale for Subject
History is concerned with the study of past. Studying history helps us understand how past societies, systems, ideologies, governments, cultures and technologies have shaped the present. By applying this knowledge to the present, we are less likely to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Through their study, history students will become proficient at gathering, interpreting and evaluating a wide range of evidence. They will develop the ability to think critically by making informed judgements based on the evaluation of evidence and be able to look at contentious or controversial issues from more than one point of view.
Subject Topics / Syllabus Content
History students will study four topics: two from the history of Ireland and two from Europe and the Wider World.
Below is a list of the units studied at St Mary’s High School.
Ireland
- The Pursuit of Sovereignty and the Impact of Partition 1912-1949
- Politics and Society in Northern Ireland 1949-1993
Europe and the Wider World
- Dictatorship and Democracy in Europe 1920-1945
- The United States and the World 1945-1989
The Research Subject Report (RSR)
This is a written assignment worth 20% (100 marks) of the total marks which is submitted in April of sixth year. Students can research a topic that interests them. The recommended range of the report for Higher level is 1200-1500 words and ordinary level is 600-800 words.
Assessment
Leaving Certificate History may be studied at Ordinary or Higher level.
The written examination lasts 2 hours and 50 minutes and contributes 80% to a student’s overall grade.
The remaining 20% is the written research subject report (RSR), which is submitted a few weeks before the final exam.
Possible Career Options
History allows students to develop a range of transferable skills and the knowledge learnt can be used across a range of different careers.
Here is a list of careers that History can support:
- Journalist
- Lawyer / Solicitor / Barrister
- Media
- Public Service – politician, councillor, civil servant
- Librarian
- Teacher / Lecturer
- Archivist
- IT Consultant
- Administration
- Accountancy
Useful Links
Leaving Certificate History information – Leaving Certificate Syllabus (PDF format 498KB) (pdst.ie)
Careers in history
