About the Course

At Junior Cycle, History introduces students to the job of the historian, and to the sources and techniques which historians use to find out about the past. It provides students with a wide tapestry of past events, issues, people and ways of life through which they can come to perceive patterns such as cause and consequence, change and continuity. It is in the past that they will find the roots of the contemporary world.

Course Aims

This course aims to ensure that students acquire knowledge of and understanding about human activity in the past, to understand the contemporary world through the study of the past, develop conceptual understanding and the ability to think independently, and to develop an interest and enthusiasm for history and a value of their heritage from the past.

Why Study History?

• Relevance to modern life: Many of the issues that affect the planet on a daily basis have their roots in history. Knowing this history helps us to understand them. You will also learn about the role of many interesting key personalities, from various walks of life, in shaping the past.

• Awareness of human behaviour: History is unique in that it is the only subject that investigates how aspects of human life and human institutions have undergone change over time.

• Cultural inheritance: You will develop understanding about different concepts that are relevant to life today, such as democracy and human rights, power and authority, and conflict and reconciliation.

• ICT skills: Studying History will develop your ICT skills, which are increasingly relevant in modern life and in the workplace.

• Career relevance: Employers look for people who are independent thinkers, open-minded, disciplined, good at problem solving and able to pick out the essential from the trivial. History trains exactly these qualities of mind.

• Communication skills: Historical writing helps you develop your skills in organising ideas, expressing clear opinions and reaching a balanced conclusion — skills that will help you in many other subjects and in many careers.

• Research skills: History will help you develop your research skills, including the ability to locate historical data from different types of sources, and to evaluate and present such data.

• Analytical skills: You will sharpen your critical thinking skills, which will be of benefit to you in any career and in life generally.

Choosing Leaving Certificate History allows students to acquire a unique combination of skills and insights that will develop them as people and help to prepare them for a future career and to participate fully in society.

What Leaving Certificate History Offers You

• Develop skills of history that are transferable to other subjects and to careers — including researching, note-making, communication, analysis and discursive writing.

• Learn about the experiences of ordinary people as well as the powerful and influential.

• Choose from a range of topics dealing with Irish history and the history of Europe and the wider world.

• Study a wide range of documents relating to each topic, including government papers, official records, newspaper extracts, cartoons, diary entries and memoirs.

• Work independently on the Research Study, which allows you to research a subject of your own choice that is of historical significance — developing self-directed learning and critical skills.

• Choose a subject of personal interest from outside your chosen Field of Study, dealing with any subject of historical interest.

• Submit your Research Study Report before the exam, giving you the opportunity to gain up to 20% of the overall mark before sitting the terminal examination.