Transcript File - GUIDANCE ON THE GREEN

Leaving Certificate
History
The King of Subjects
Why study history?
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“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?
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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
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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
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Students will study two full modules of
European/World History
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One full module of Irish History
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A documents course on Irish History
Leaving Certificate History
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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putting forward ideas and arguments in a concise manner
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gathering, investigating and assessing material
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condensing facts, ideas and arguments
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basing conclusions on research
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organising material in a logical and coherent way
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Where can history take me?
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“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?
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“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?
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“"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.”