Belvedere History Curriculum

Curriculum

History

Why Study History?

History gives you back the past. Without an understanding of the past, the present doesn’t make much sense.
Students of History in Belvedere College will explore the lives of people in the past, and the social, political, economic and cultural structures of past communities, so as to be able to comprehend the world today. To put our lives in the twenty-first century in a broad perspective, to appreciate Ireland’s relationship with the world, to understand how other cultures and countries have developed, we need to study History.

Employers and academic institutions place a high value on skills developed through the study of History. They are impressed by the ability of the Historian to research, analyse and present information in a balanced, coherent and focused way. Above all, History helps students to think logically, express clear opinions and put forward reasoned arguments.

History is also valuable in a wide variety of careers. Being able to learn from the past to influence the present, analysing time periods and social values and making informed judgements can be applied to a huge variety of workplaces.

History at Belvedere College is a long established and successful subject. The History Department is a lively department, full of enthusiasm and experience in order to foster a love of History within our students. The teachers equip students with the academic skills and discipline to explore, understand and analyse issues which have challenged humanity. We aim to provide an experience that will stimulate the student and develop a life-long interest in the subject. We try to draw links with modern events, promote historical commemorations and events and encourage students to develop a curiosity of times passed.

Through the teaching of History in Belvedere and by learning about the past, students are also encouraged to accept the Ignatian philosophy of service to others, to become socially responsible and active participants in the world.

We assist our students in accomplishing these objectives by:
• Creating learning environments where students and teachers work together in investigating and questioning historical events, issues, themes and people.
• Teaching students to explore, understand and analyse history from a multitude of perspectives.
• Teaching students to think critically and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Offering students a rich and demanding curriculum.
• Allowing student choice in their research, particularly in Transition Year.

Staffing

Mr. Dan Meagher
Ms Niamh O’Donoghue
Mr Liam Kelly
Ms Claire Broderick
Mr. Gerry J. Foley
Ms Aisling Bridgeman
Ms Megan Oliver
Mr Shane Kenny
Mr Kris Vekic
Mr Rob Altman
Mr Simon Murphy

Overview of the Curriculum

The History Department follows the prescribed curriculum which has been set by the NCCA. All Junior Cycle students study a Common Level course. Each student follows our Transition Year programme. In Poetry and Rhetoric (5th and 6th year), History is an optional subject and our students sit the Leaving Certificate at both Higher and Ordinary Level. All of our classes are mixed ability. At Junior Cycle level, all of our students follow the DES Junior Cycle course.

In Syntax (Transition Year) students follow a course prescribed by their teacher. The aim of the course is to give students a full understanding of historical topics they might not get to explore on the traditional syllabus and give them a better understanding of carrying out historical research. This is to ensure that if they select Leaving Cert History, they have a solid basis when it comes to the RSR.

In Poetry and Rhetoric (5th and 6th year) we also follow the DES course. Under the Leaving Cert programme, students are required to submit their RSR (Research Study Report) for examination that is worth 20% of the final exam. This is a great opportunity for students to get a hands-on approach to research and explore topics that they are genuinely interested in while developing their skills as a historian.

History Award:

Each year one Rhetoric student is awarded the Rhetoric History Award. For 2022, the award was presented to the student who in the opinion of an outside adjudicator produces the best

RSR – then the results for the students since 5th Year are included in the overall assessing who is the best History student. Liam Coogan (OB’22) won the History Award 2022.

Beside Megan Oliver (Subject Coordinator)