History Dept

History at St Columb's College...

.History teaches everything including the future!

Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869)

What do all of the following people have in common:

Politicians Gordon Brown and Michael Portillo, BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen, Head of MI6 John Scarlett, comedians Al Murray and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat), TV presenter Jonathan Ross, the vice-chancellor of Oxford University, millionaire businessman Gerald Corbett and Five Live’s Alan Green?

That’s right – they all studied History!

It is said that History is just one thing after another; however, despite what some people might say, there is much more to History than simply remembering dates and facts. History is the story of humankind; it is the story of great men and women; it is the story of good and evil; it is the story of the famous and the unknown. History allows us to learn about how and why the world we live in today has come to exist. History is our story.

Staff

• Mrs C McLaughlin (Subject leader)
• Mr T Bradley
• Mr J McQuillan
• Mr J Donaghey
• Mr J Johnston
• Mr F Madden
• Mr M McIlveen
• Mr L Boyle
• Mr B Trainor
• Mr B Quigley

Why study History?
There has never been a better time to study History. The huge number of television programmes and films focused on historical topics demonstrates just how much interest there currently is in the subject. We want to share that enthusiasm with our pupils, providing them with a broad range of approaches to teaching and learning, supporting the particular needs of each pupil, enabling them to develop skills of enquiry, argument and judgement, skills that are essential in the modern age.

What do we study?

Key Stage 3

Year 8

• The Normans in Ireland
• The American West

Year 9

• The Renaissance
• The Reformation
• Voyages of Discovery
• The Spanish Armada
• The Plantation of Ireland
• The English Civil War
• Cromwell in Ireland
• The War of the Three Kings

Year 10

• Ireland c1800-c1921
• The Origins and Development of the First World War

Key Stage 4 (CCEA GCSE Specification)

Year 11

• Germany c1918-1941
• Changing Relationships: Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland c1965-1985

Year 12

• Civil Rights in the USA (Coursework)
• The Cold War 1945-1991

Post-16 (CCEA AS/A2 Specification)

Year 13

• Germany 1918-1945
• Italy 1914-1943

Year 14

• Ireland 1775-1800
• The Origins of the Second World War
• The Clash of Ideologies 1900-2000

So, what can I do with History?
Although a history degree mighty not be job specific, it imparts vital transferable skills that are extremely useful in many careers. Many history graduates move into jobs as researchers while employment can also be found with a variety of government departments and agencies, both local and national. Further career options can include working in libraries, museums or galleries not forgetting archaeology. Due to their solid foundation in research and analysis, a significant number of history graduates pursue careers in the law. History graduates generally possess high levels of literacy and critical thinking abilities, so are often suited to careers in journalism. Of course there’s always teaching!