Area 7 of the new National Curriculum for history makes it mandatory for schools to teach at least one study of a significant society or issue in world history and its interconnections with other world developments. For example:
- Mughal India 1526-1857;
- China’s Qing dynasty 1644-1911;
- Changing Russian Empires c.1800-1989;
- USA in the 20th Century.
It is really important to note that these are not the only options. You can completely ignore all of them if you wish. This is your chance to make the curriculum more relevant to your students.
Questions to consider
How many of these types of study will you do? Note that it says at least one.
What will you choose? Western or non-Western? Recent or distant? Linked to any other topic, or completely separate?
When will you study this? If you chose India isn’t it best looked at before Area 3 and The Empire? Would you use different time parameters?
Would you do a comparative study: of capitalism and communism in 20th century?
How are you interpreting the term ‘interconnectedness with other world developments’ which is mandatory?
Are you intending to consult students? Many might want to do China, and you could choose to bring it
