About this Portal
This online portal is a collaboration between OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) and the Department of History, SOAS University of London. It aims to be a one-stop site for A-level history teachers teaching British Empire between 1857 and 1965, and the Cold War in Asia.
On this portal you can find brief outlines of historical facts and scholarly debates, and links to relevant Internet resources. They are signposts to a wide range of free, primary/secondary, multimedia materials, which can be used by A-level teachers for classroom preparation and lesson plans.
This portal is free to access. Although it has been designed for option Y320, OCR A-Level GCE History A (H505), and Option Y222, the information can be consulted by anyone teaching on these subjects at an appropriate level.
On this portal you can find brief outlines of historical facts and scholarly debates, and links to relevant Internet resources. They are signposts to a wide range of free, primary/secondary, multimedia materials, which can be used by A-level teachers for classroom preparation and lesson plans.
This portal is free to access. Although it has been designed for option Y320, OCR A-Level GCE History A (H505), and Option Y222, the information can be consulted by anyone teaching on these subjects at an appropriate level.
About Y320
© OCR, used with permission.
There are two components in the thematic study of option Y320: key topics (4) and depth studies (3).
Four key topics are:
Three cases are discussed in depth studies:
This portal provides outlines for each topic/case that help to address major issues. For many concepts, facts and figures mentioned, an accompanying list of Internet resources is compiled to help teachers making further exploration.
Four key topics are:
- The governance and administration of the Empire
- Opposition to British Rule
- The impact of imperial power on the periphery and Britain
- The British Empire and its impact on international relations
Three cases are discussed in depth studies:
- British India: The War of 1857 and its consequences to 1876
- Palestine 1914-1948
- Nationalism in Kenya 1945 - 1965
This portal provides outlines for each topic/case that help to address major issues. For many concepts, facts and figures mentioned, an accompanying list of Internet resources is compiled to help teachers making further exploration.
About Y222
There are two components to this module: four key topics, and two in-depth studies.
The four key topics are: Two cases are discussed in depth studies
The four key topics are: Two cases are discussed in depth studies
FAQ
Is this a text book?
No, it is not a textbook, nor a lesson plan. Instead, it is a collection of relevant information and Internet resources, carefully analysed and compiled by academics from the History Department at SOAS, that are related to OCR modules' topics and cases.
OK, So THIS IS NOT A LESSON PLAN. HOW DO I BEST USE this site FOR MY TEACHING then?
The brief outlines set out a basic context for the topic/case, which can be a starting point for your teaching preparation. The links point to relevant Internet resources, this is a rich pool of materials from which you can choose and use in the classroom.
Please note that, due to the sheer volume of information involved, it is simply not possible to cover every aspect of the subject specified in OCR specs, nor to list every resource available online. Hence this site is better understood as an 'introductory' tool, that facilitates and inspires you to discover more teaching materials and online resources.
Please note that, due to the sheer volume of information involved, it is simply not possible to cover every aspect of the subject specified in OCR specs, nor to list every resource available online. Hence this site is better understood as an 'introductory' tool, that facilitates and inspires you to discover more teaching materials and online resources.
MY SCHOOL IS NOT with OCR BUT I AM ALSO TEACHING a similar module FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, CAN I USE IT?
Yes. The content, although based on OCR modules, covers major developments and key themes of the topic. However, please do check with your own curriculum specification and make appropriate adjustments if needed.
Are all internet resources listed here free to access?
We try to list as many open-access resources as we can. Yet, not all online information is free (eg. commercial books and academic journal articles). In this case, we often provide links to publishers, booksellers and Google Books Preview (for books), or abstracts (for journal articles).
HOW DO I REPORT A MISSING LINK, RAISE A QUESTION, OR MAKE A SUGGESTION?
Please go to Contact and send your comments to SOAS History Department. Your comments are most welcome to keep this site updated and relevant.
