L3 History (L3HIS)

Do you want a course that will provide you with the skills to not believe everything you read? Want to develop your analytical skills? Want to learn how to create a strong argument? Does your chosen profession/university course require you to be able to write a report or think about the reasons people make decisions? Then History is for you!

Universities ask for an English-rich subject to have been taken for many of their courses, such as Law, Engineering, Health professions etc. as being able to write well, and understand people, is a key skill in many professions. For example, Health Sciences and Nursing at the University of Auckland asks for 18 credits in an English-rich subject due to the importance of being able to research and write well, as well as understand how people behave and think. History will provide you with this!

Themes for the year:

- The causes and consequences of the Atomic Bombs

- 1066 and all that

The first part of this course looks at the causes and consequences of the dropping of the atomic bombs in 1945. This includes looking at the battles in the Pacific during World War II, and decisions made by key leaders at the Potsdam Conference, as well as consequences such as the testing of nuclear weapons and the Cold War. Students will complete an internal that looks at perspectives from historians on whether the atomic bombs needed to be dropped.

• Student driven choice of topic: you will have the opportunity to delve further into an historical area of your own interest. This may build on what we have studied in class or it may be something of your own choosing. This will allow you the opportunity to choose what you study but to also apply the historical skills you have been developing throughout the year. 

For the second part of the course students look at the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, examining why it happened, as well as looking at the long-term consequences the event had on today's society, such as the language we speak today. First year Law degrees cover the laws of William the Conqueror, so if you are looking to do Law this will especially help you!