Leaving Certificate History The King of Subjects

Why study history? “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants” – Isaac Newton “You have to know the past to understand the present” - Dr Carl Sagan

Why study History? The study of history gives you a unique understanding of human society, and of the contributions that various individuals, and groups have made over time to shaping our world as it is today. It looks at human motivation, it is an enquiry into the “why” of things, the causes and effects of events. As the American Philosopher George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.

Leaving Certificate History The Leaving Certificate History Course is made up of 4 modules and a Research Essay Component. Each of the modules comprising of 20% of the total, and the research essay accounts for the final 20%

Leaving Certificate History Students will study two full modules of European/World History One full module of Irish History A documents course on Irish History

Leaving Certificate History The following modules of World history will be studied: 1. The United States and the World, 1945-1989 ( in depth study of Race relations, Vietnam War, Moon Race etc) 2. Dictatorship and Democracy, Europe 1920-45 (in depth study of Nazi Propaganda, Stalin etc)

Leaving Certificate History The following modules of Irish History may be studied (only one): Movements for Political and Social Reform, 1870 – 1914 (topics like The Home Rule Movement under Parnell and the 1913 Dublin Lock Out and Strike) The Pursuit of Sovereignty and the Impact of Partition, 1912 -1949 (topics like The independence Movement and The Belfast Blitz) Northern Ireland 1949-93 (topics like the troubles and the Sunningdale agreement)

Leaving Certificate History Documents Course (Irish History)– Students will study only 3 Case Studies: Topic not confirmed by the department of education yet. Likely to be Republic of Ireland 1949-89 (impact of RTE on Society, first programme for economic expansion, impact of the EEC on fisheries)

Leaving Certificate History Each of the Modules of History on the new Leaving Certificate History Course considers history from a number of perspectives – Political Economic Cultural

Leaving Certificate History The Written Paper is worth 400 marks and the Research Study Report is worth 100 marks The length of the written paper is 2hrs and 50 minutes The research essay is submitted at Easter time, before your main paper.

Leaving Certificate History The Research Essay can be on any topic that you are interested in from Modern to Ancient History, any topic before 1993. Students score exceptionally well in this area as it generally is born out of their own special area of interest.

Skills acquired studying History Studying history provides students with a wide range of transferable skills, which are important in many career fields. Understanding and analysis of issues and events are of key importance to historians and can be applied in many other fields of work. Skill areas developed in studying history include: an ability for clear expression both oral and written putting forward ideas and arguments in a concise manner gathering, investigating and assessing material condensing facts, ideas and arguments basing conclusions on research organising material in a logical and coherent way

Where can history take me? “TV is a very hard industry to break into but my history degree certainly helped me get my first break. My first job involved working on a range of history docu-dramas and the company involved told me they had specifically chosen me because of my history skills! I am now looking to move on and find work in TV research, so all of my research skills will come into use once again! History is a brilliant degree to do because it offers such a range of skills that are beneficial in so many areas of employment”

Where can history take me? “Following my graduation I trained as a journalist at my local newspaper. The research and writing skills I learnt while studying History proved invaluable to the job, as I tracked down a good story and tried to write engaging copy. Sticking to deadlines is an absolute must in journalism and again, my time as a history student prepared me for producing work to set deadlines.”

Where can history take me? “"When I studied History I didn't think I'd end up as a partner in a major City law firm. But that's what happened, and I found that I wasn't alone in my firm in having taken up law after studying history as a degree subject. Now, I'm in charge of recruiting students to train with us, and we are still finding plenty of compelling candidates who come from a history background. Lawyers need to assimilate information and put forward arguments, and that's just what history students learn to do.”