History IB Internal Assessment Higher and Standard levels What is it? It is a problem solving activity which allows you to apply your knowledge and skills to an area of interest which need not be syllabus related. It is an historical enquiry in which you demonstrate historical skills such as using historical evidence, selecting and evaluating evidence, source evaluation and managing interpretations. How much is it worth? Higher- the internal assessment is worth 20% of the marks. Standard- the internal assessment is worth 25% of the marks. What type of assignment can I do? It can take the form of any of the following: A historical topic or theme using written sources or a variety of sources. A historical topic based on fieldwork- e.g.: battlefields, churches A historical problem using documents e.g.: newspapers. A local history project. A history project based on oral interviews. A historical investigation based on interpreting a novel, film, piece of art. What form should it take? The IA is not an essay but should be divided into six sections: A Plan of the investigation B Summary of evidence C Evaluation of sources D Analysis E Conclusion F List of sources Section A Plan of the investigation The plan of the investigation should include: The subject of the investigation which may be formulated as a question. You must clearly state your research question. The methods to be used in the investigation. Section B Summary of evidence This should indicate what you have found out from the sources you have used. It can be in the form of a list or continuous prose. Illustrations and documents should be placed in an appendix and do not form part of the word count. It must be referenced. Section C Evaluation of sources. This section is a critical evaluation of two important sources appropriate to your investigation. You should refer to their origin, purpose, value and limitation. Section D Analysis The analysis should include: The importance of the investigation in its historical context. Analysis of the evidence. If appropriate, different interpretations. Section E Conclusion The conclusion must be clearly stated and consistent with the evidence stated. Section F List of sources A bibliography or list of sources must be included although this will not form part of the word count. You need several published (i.e. non-internet) sources though they can be supplemented with reputable websites. What is the word limit? The whole IA must be 1500-2000 words. It must not exceed this. Recommended word limits for each section: A-100-150 words B- 500-600 words C- 250-400 words D- 500-650 words E- 150-200 words. How is the IA marked? Section A- 3 marks Section B- 6 marks Section C- 5 marks Section D- 6 marks Section E- 2 marks Section F- 3 marks. Total- 25 marks. This is the same for both higher and standard students. Example 1: An investigation into social history: how successfully did Hitler promote the ideal of the family in the Third Reich? A plan of the Investigation To establish what Hitler' ideal for the family was To measure how far his vision accorded with reality. B summary of evidence Background: position of family/women prior to 1933 Duties of women defined as children, church, kitchen (Kinder, Kirche, Kuche). Hitler's ideals: Mein Kampf and other contemporary sources (e.g. speeches) Evaluation of evidence: historians of social history of Third Reich C Evaluation of sources Comparison of two historical studies e.g. Crew, DF, 1994. Nazism and German Society 1933-1945. Routledge; Noakes, J and Pridham, G. 1984. Nazism 1919-1945, Vol 2. State, economy and society 1933-1939, University of Exeter D Analysis The place of family in Nazi ideology Role of men: penalties on bachelors. Ideal of women as mothers/wives/employees as promoted by Hitler and Goebbels. Reality of women's position: lebensborn (homes for unmarried mothers); employment patterns-demands of war and re-armament. E Conclusion Evaluation of myth of German family as measured against evidence of family life from social history studies. Discussion of pressures/outside influences that undermined family policy. How much time do I have? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A topic must be chosen and agreed with your teacher by the beginning of the Summer Term. A plan must be seen by your teacher during the summer term and you must be clear about the reading required before the summer holidays. A first draft must be handed in as soon as you come back from the summer holidays (3rd September). A second draft should be handed in by 2nd November although we are not allowed to write comments on this. The final IA (2 copies) must be handed in before the Christmas holidays (10th December)