History is part of the Humanities Faculty at Dover College.
The Staff
Erika Repaska and Elizabeth Tresidder.
Teach in the Humanities Faculty
Without the past we are unable to see or understand the present. We cannot think or talk about the present except in terms of the past. History is our attempt to make sense out of those events, to create order out of chaos, to create a unified perspective of the past and thus understand more of the present.
A mixture of teaching methods are used within the Faculty; exposition, document study, role play, essay writing, research and project assignments, ICT exercises and note-taking which are supported by discussion work and a seminar-type approach.
The objectives of the Faculty are:
- to inculcate a sense of respect and understanding of local, regional, national and global history
- to provide pupils with a sound knowledge and comprehension of a period of history and
- to introduce them to the skills of historical interpretation and evaluation.
Historians are encouraged to display many of the qualities of the sleuth as they search for well hidden clues, sift evidence and reach conclusions. History is not simply a conglomeration of facts; it is about emotion, dynamism, power and motivation. In short, it is the understanding of human race.
Dover College is situated in the heart of one of the historic Cinque Ports and is less than 25 miles from France. As such the Humanities Faculty is both immersed and surrounded by a rich historical tradition. Regular visits to Dover, Walmer and Deal castles are common, although a tour of the 12th century buildings within the College campus offer a rich source of historical discovery. Informative and moving trips include the Somme battlefields, The Great War Museum, Peronne and Ypres.
The curriculum
Lower school History shadows the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum yet is not constrained by it. A flexible and investigative approach is actively encouraged using the wealth of surrounding historical sites. Pupils who study History at GCSE follow the Edexcel Board 'Modern European and World History'. Class sizes at GCSE are small (currently no more than 15 in any GCSE set) and allow thorough and personal supervision and guidance.
At A-level the Edexcel Board is used.
Again class sizes are small and intimate. Pupils must have an ability to express ideas on paper effectively, and a genuine interest in the period the course covers. Clearly pupils must have an inquisitive mind and enthusiasm for the subject matter. They must be prepared to read and research topics to develop the depth of their historical understanding. Experience shows that final grades are often determined by the pupil's consistent effort across the period of the course.
A level units:
- Unit 1 - Securing the Tudor Dynasty: the Reign of Henry VII, 1485-1509
- Unit 2 - Pursuing "Life and Liberty": Civil Rights in the USA, 1945-1968
- Unit 3 - A Very English Reformation: the Church and Henry VIII, 1529-1547
- Unit 4 - The Quest for Greatness: fascist Italy, 1924-1939
- Unit 5 - The Mongols and China in the 13th Century (coursework)
- Unit 6 - The Origins of the Cold War, 1945-1962
If men could learn from history, what lessons it might teach us! Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772-1834