Introduction

Key Stage five centralises its theme in our course on the struggles and successes of both individuals and organisations in the face of oppression, both overt and in reticent circumstances. The human condition and struggle is often at the forefront of the modern process of development and equality. Through a smorgasbord of geographical locations (America, Ireland and South Africa), dreams of freedom and sophisticated democracy are studied throughout the contexts of politics, civil rights, radicalisation, resistance and emancipation in the face of the great responsibility that is required to unify modern peoples. 

Teaching

With sections entitled,”In Search of the American Dream, 1917-80”, “South Africa, 1948-94: From Apartheid State to Rainbow Nation” and “Ireland and the Union, c1774-1923”, the diversity of study and thoughts is clear from the offset. Within the topics, the study involves the political, social and economic changes in the 20th century America in the backdrop of its newly defined ´Superpower¨ status. South Africa offers the opportunity to trace the journey of Nelson Mandela from a violent and ruthless rebellious beginning to the president of a somewhat united nation in 1994. The study of Ireland and Britain allows the student to develop their understanding of the relation between two neighbours with a less than happy marriage up until the 1920´s. The course involves the analysis of source material and the constant re-evaluation of ideologies in the face of an evolving world around them.

Why study History at XIC?

History is ever changing, so what better way to understand the evolving processes of understanding and interacting with History than in a stable environment with forward thinking educational practices. Every student is different. As a people, we all learn differently due to how we process information available to us. It is the history department´s mission at XIC to use any tool necessary to aid the development and performance levels of the individual. Discussion based, audio, visual and practical learning are examples of how we relate to historical messages, social movements and technological developments in politics, warfare and regeneration. XIC nurtures talents and make s understanding accessible to all students in the retrospective determination of the evolution of mankind through the lessons of the past.

KS5 is the culmination of the long rewarding process of understanding and developing coherent opinions on various topics with the adage of carefully selected evidence. For example, the often volatile relationship between Britain and Ireland in the 19th and 20th centuries alone stands out as a model for the human condition, where a war of wills and the avarice of individuals and organisations can be evaluated to determine the real stories within the given stories of History.