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 “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” - “You have to know the past to understand the present” - Dr Carl Sagan 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. 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”. 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. 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% 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 one full module of European/World History Students will study one full module of European/World History Two full module of Irish History Two full module of Irish History A documents course on European History A documents course on European History

Leaving Certificate History The following modules of World history will be studied: The following modules of World history will be studied: 1. The United States and the World, ( in depth study of Race relations, Vietnam War, Moon Race etc) 1. The United States and the World, ( in depth study of Race relations, Vietnam War, Moon Race etc)

Leaving Certificate History The following modules of Irish History will be studied: The following modules of Irish History will be studied: Movements for Political and Social Reform, 1870 – 1914 (topics like The Home Rule Movement under Parnell, The Cultural Revival, and the 1913 Dublin Lock Out and Strike) Movements for Political and Social Reform, 1870 – 1914 (topics like The Home Rule Movement under Parnell, The Cultural Revival, and the 1913 Dublin Lock Out and Strike) The Pursuit of Sovereignty and the Impact of Partition, (topics like The independence Movement, The Eucharistic Congress and The Belfast Blitz) The Pursuit of Sovereignty and the Impact of Partition, (topics like The independence Movement, The Eucharistic Congress and The Belfast Blitz)

Leaving Certificate History Documents Course (European History)– Documents Course (European History)– Students will study only the following 3 Case Studies: Students will study only the following 3 Case Studies: The Nuremburg Rallies and Nazi Propaganda The Nuremburg Rallies and Nazi Propaganda The Soviet Show Trials under Stalin The Soviet Show Trials under Stalin The Jarrow March The Jarrow March

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

Leaving Certificate History The Written Paper is worth 400 marks and the Research Study Report is worth 100 marks 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 length of the written paper is 2hrs and 50 minutes The research essay is submitted at Easter time, before your main paper. 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 The Research Essay can be on any topic that you are interested in from Modern to Ancient History, any topic before Students score exceptionally well in this area as it generally is born out of their own special area of interest. 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: 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 an ability for clear expression both oral and writtenclear expression both oral and writtenclear expression both oral and written putting forward ideas and arguments in a concise manner putting forward ideas and arguments in a concise manner putting forward ideas and arguments putting forward ideas and arguments gathering, investigating and assessing material gathering, investigating and assessing material gathering, investigating and assessing material gathering, investigating and assessing material condensing facts, ideas and arguments condensing facts, ideas and arguments condensing facts, ideas and arguments condensing facts, ideas and arguments basing conclusions on research basing conclusions on research organising material in a logical and coherent way organising material in a logical and coherent way organising material in a logical and coherent way 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” “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.” “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.” “"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.”