What does the course cover? The programme of study and National Curriculum links

The Wolsey Hall Year 8 International History course is an innovative course designed especially for Wolsey Hall to offer an inspiring alternative to the History course for those interested in a more global approach to the subject. 

You may want to print out this overview of the course and refer to it as you progress through the course. Do also bear in mind that:

  • Before Module One, there is an introductory video call with your tutor.
  • At the end of Module Three, there is a mid-course review, which can include a video call with your tutor if you wish.
  • At the end of Module Seven, there is an end-of-course review, again through a video call if you wish. 

 

  Course introduction

Read the Course Guide and Skype with your tutor

 

Module One: The Ancient to the Modern World

Coursebook Pages

Topic One (1.1) Overview

  • Chronology of the time period
  • Decline of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity and Islam.
  • Key features of the Medieval World 

22-29

 

Topic One (1.2): The emergence of new ideas

  • The Renaissance, Humanism and the Arts.
  • Scientific thinking and the Enlightenment
  • The importance of the Printing Press 

33-35

 

Topic Two (1.3): Religion

  • Links between the Western and Islamic World
  • Viking Gods
  • Christian belief in Medieval Europe
  • Religion in the Ottoman Empire
  • Challenges to the church in Renaissance Italy. 

36-39

 

Topic Three (1.4): Governments, laws and social structure

  • Viking laws and solidities
  • Feudalism in Medieval Europe
  • The rule of the Ottoman sultan
  • Society and government in Renaissance Italy 

40-41

 

 

ASSIGNMENT ONE

 

 

Module Two: The Vikings

Coursebook Pages

Topic One (2.1): How was society organised?

  • Chronology skills
  • Geographical context
  • Social structure
  • Viking law
  • Economy and trade
  • Culture
  • Belief
  • Everyday life
  • Women and children 

44-56

 

 

Topic Two (2.2): What developments and achievements led to Viking Expansion?

  • Why the Vikings became raiders
  • Raiders to settlers
  • Fighting
  • Explorers
  • Case study: Were the Vikings the first to ‘discover’ North America? 

 

58-69

Topic Three (2.3): Which societies did the Vikings conquer and how were the people there affected?

  • Impact of the Vikings in England
  • The battle for the English crown
  • The legacy of the Vikings 
 71-76

ASSIGNMENT TWO

 

 

Module Three: Japan

Coursebook Pages

Topic One (3.1): How was society organised?  What was the role of the Samurai and the code of Bushido?

  • Chronology
  • The geography of Japan
  • Japan before the Shoguns
  • The rise of the Shoguns
  • The organisation of society and social groups
  • Women’s role
  • The feudal system
  • The growth of urban society
  • Management of the forests
  • The Samurai and the code of Bushido

 

218-229

Topic Two (3.2): What was daily life like?

  • Religious belief
  • Life of a peasant farmer
  • Life in Kyoto
  • Food and diet
  • Arts and entertainment
  • Education 

 

230-232

Topic Three (3.3): How was Japan ruled under the Tokugawa shoguns?

  • Early rule and the strengthening of Feudalism
  • Policies to isolate Japan
  • Internal pressures for change
  • External pressure for change
  • The Meiji Restoration

234-242

 

ASSIGNMENT THREE

 

 

Module Four: The Angor/Khmer Empire

Coursebook Pages

Topic One (4.1) How was society organised?

  • The geography of the area and the start of the Khmer Empire
  • The structure of society
  • The role of women, trade, agriculture and the warrior class
  • Religion 

 

192-200

Topic Two (4.2) What was daily life like?

  • Daily life for the rich and the poor
  • Clothing and appearance
  • Food and dining
  • Health and hygiene
  • Entertainment 
 201-204

Topic Three (4.3) What were the greatest achievements of the Khmer Empire and why did it decline?

  • Achievements in water management
  • Achievements in temple building
  • Reasons for the decline of the Empire: water management systems, economic problems and religious conflict
  • The ‘rediscovery’ of Angkor Watt
 206-214

ASSIGNMENT FOUR

 

 

Module Five: Mongol Expansion

Coursebook Pages

Topic 1 (5.1): How was Mongol Society organised?

  • Chronology
  • Homelands and nomadic life
  • Mongol clans and tribes
  • Use of animals
  • Religious belief
  • Social role in Mongol society
 280-285

Topic (5.2):  Who was Genghis Khan and what was his impact on Asia and the Middle East?

  • Genghis Khan’s rise to power
  • The structure of the army
  • Weapons and fighting tactics
  • Life of a Mongol horseman
 286-289

Topic Three (5.3): What were the consequences of Mongol Expansion?

  • Expansion into China (including the Song dynasty)
  • Westward expansion
  • Expansion of the Mongol Empire under the rule of Genghis Khan’s son and grandson, Ogedei and Mongke.
  • Impact of Mongol expansion on China
  • Impact of Mongol government and law across the Mongol Empire
  • End of Mongol rule in China 
 291-306

ASSIGNMENT FIVE

 

 

Module Six: The Ottoman Empire

Coursebook Pages

Topic One (6.1): What was Ottoman society like?

  • Chronology
  • Origin and the extent of the Empire
  • Rule of the Sultan
  • The role of the Devrsirme and women
  • Life in an Ottoman palace
  • Life in the Sultan’s palace

 

128-141

 

 

Topic Two (6.2): How did the Ottoman Empire expand?

  • The Empire under the different Sultans
  • The significance of Constantinople and its fall to the Ottomans

 

 

143- 148

 

Topic Three (6.3):  What impact did the Ottoman Empire have?

  • Relations with the people the Ottoman Empire conquered
  • The impact of the Ottomans on architecture, literature and art
  • The decline of the empire
  • Legacy of the Ottomans

 

149-153

ASSIGNMENT SIX

 

 

Module Seven: The Spanish Conquest of the Americas

Coursebook Pages

Topic One (7.1): What were the key features of society before the Spanish arrived?

  • Chronology
  • Overview and geography of the Aztecs, Mayas and Incas
  • Key features of the Aztec, Maya and Incas
  • Groups within Aztec society
  • The role of men and women in Aztec society
  • The discipline of Aztec children
  • Religious belief
  • The Aztec city of Tenochtitlan

 

346-358

Topic Two (7.2): The Spanish conquest and settlement of the Americas

  • The background to Portuguese and Spanish exploration and the role of Christopher Columbus
  • Key events and reasons for Spanish exploration
  • The expedition of Cortes to Tenochtitlan
  • The destruction of the Aztecs by the Spanish

360-366

Topic Three (7.3): The impact of the Spanish conquest and colonisation in the Americas.

  • The Spanish settlement of Mexico and the treatment of the indigenous population
  • The wider impact of the Spanish conquest of the Americas
  • The long-term impact of Spanish colonisation

367-370

ASSIGNMENT SEVEN