Cambridge IGCSE History - American (US)
This syllabus is available only to Centers participating in the NCEE Excellence for All initiative in the USA. Cambridge IGCSE American History explores the history of the USA from the mid-18th century to the end of the 20th century.
Aims of the Syllabus
The aims are to-
• Stimulate an interest in and enthusiasm for learning about the past
• Promote the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of individuals, people and societies in the past
• Ensure that learners’ knowledge is rooted in an understanding of the nature and use of historical evidence
• Promote an understanding of key historical concepts: cause and consequence, change and continuity, and similarity and difference
• Provide a sound basis for further study and the pursuit of personal interest
• Encourage international understanding
• Encourage the development of historical skills, including investigation, analysis, evaluation and communication skills.
Syllabus
All candidates study all the Core Content in either-
Option A
Emergence of a Nation 1754–1890
The content focuses on the following Key Questions:
• How and why did the United States develop as an independent nation?
• Why had the borders of the United States changed so much by 1853?
• How and why did the lives of Native Americans change?
• What were the causes and consequences of the Civil War?
• How, and with what effects, did the economy change after 1850?
• What was the impact of immigration after 1850?
(Or)
Option B
Consolidating the Nation 1890–2000
The content focuses on the following Key Questions:
• What impact did the growth of cities have on Americans before 1920?
• Was the 1920s a “boom” time for all Americans?
• What were the causes of the Wall Street Crash and the consequences of the Great Depression?
• How did the lives of African Americans change during the period from 1890 to 1970?
• How did the United States manage its relationship with the rest of the world after 1945?
• How did the United States deal with domestic challenges after 1945?
In addition, all candidates must also study at least one of the following Depth Studies:
A. Manifest Destiny and Early Expansion 1830–1880
B. The Women’s Suffrage Movement 1866–1920
C. The United States and the World 1880–1917
D. American Society and Popular Culture c.1920–1970
Objectives of Assessment
- An ability to recall, select, organise and deploy knowledge of the syllabus
content. - An ability to construct historical explanations using an understanding of-
• cause and consequence, change and continuity, similarity and difference
• the motives, emotions, intentions and beliefs of people in the past. - An ability to understand, interpret, evaluate and use a range of sources as
evidence, in their historical context.
Assessment
Component 1 Making of a Nation
Written paper
Candidates answer three questions from the core content from either Section A or
Section B.
All questions are in the form of structured essays, split into three parts: (a), (b), and (c).
60 marks
Externally marked.
2 hours
Weighting- 45%
Component 2 Depth Study
Written paper
Candidates answer five questions on one Depth Study. All questions are based on a range of source material.
45 marks
Externally marked.
1 hour 45 minutes
Weighting- 35%
Component 3 Personal Study
Coursework
Candidates produce a research-based essay (1,400–1,600 words). This component is marked by the teacher and moderated by Cambridge.
25 marks
Internally marked/externally moderated.
Weighting- 20%
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