Enrichment – map histories

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Mr Kydd

Map histories are a good way into new topics, and I have included here two different examples as a start. They are often most helpful in military history. The first here explains the origins of the American Civil War, whilst the second shows the mistakes that led to the Axis defeat in the Second World War.

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History in the news – Charles V: French scientists decode 500-year-old letter.

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Mr Kydd
Letter from 1547 reveals the Spanish king’s fears of a French assassination plot against him

If you click here you will get to a news article from The Guardian, explaining how “a team of researchers in France have cracked a five century-old code that reveals a rumoured French plot to kill Charles V. It took the team from the Loria research lab in France six months to decipher the letter, written in 1547 by the emperor to his ambassador in France. Bearing the signature of Charles V, it was at once mysterious and utterly incomprehensible, she told reporters on Wednesday.“

Mr Kydd

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Enrichment – something to listen to – BBC Witness clips

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Mr Kydd

It is a bit late for Black History Month, but you may like to explore / listen to the various interviews with people who were there at key moments in civil rights history, from Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, to surviving Robben Island with Nelson Mandela. There is plenty of good British content too. For example, as this controversial world cup kicks off, have a listen to Viv Anderson taking about being the first black man to play for England.

These programmes are taken from the BBC World Service programme Witness, 2009 – 2013 and can be found by clicking here.

Mr Kydd.

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UCAS taster days search engine link / a day in the life of an undergraduate historian at Oxford.

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Mr Kydd
Lower Sixth – following on from our conversation about taster days and Oxbridge, this is the UCAS search engine. There are over a hundred pending taster days for history alone.

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Book Review –

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Mr Kydd

Personality and Power:

Builders and Destroyers of Modern Europe

If you click here you will get to The Spectator’s review of Personality and Power: Builders and Destroyers of Modern Europe by Ian Kershaw. The review is by
Jay Elews.

What brings strong personalities to power?’ asks the historian Ian Kershaw. ‘And what promotes or limits their use of that power?’ Those two questions are at the centre of this book, a study of some of the 20th century’s most important leaders. The result is partly an analysis of character, but also an attempt to gauge how much history’s main players directed world events, and how much events directed them...

Have a read and see if you want to borrow my copy (Kershaw is particularly rude about Lenin).

Mr Kydd.

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Enrichment – somewhere to go. The 2022 Stenton lecture

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Mr Kydd
The University of Reading’s Stenton lecture is an annual event. It is a lecture that is open to the general public, and is excellent enrichment. This year it is on 17th November from 6.00. If you are interested, it is free, but you do need to register. Click here for details.

Mr Kydd

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Enrichment – something to discuss – how vulnerable is American democracy?

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Mr Kydd
The US mid-term elections are this week. Have a look at this lament from Bill Maher. Do you agree? Is American democracy doomed? What about democracy in the United Kingdom? Let me know what you think.

Mr Kydd.

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Enrichment – something to watch – Traumazone (on the BBC iPlayer)

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Mr Kydd
If you click here you will get to Adam Curtis’s seven part series on Russia from 1985 to 1999. It is called Traumazone, and it explores the collapse of communism and democracy in those years. It is excellent enrichment for our Russia course, and will give a bit insight towards the current world view of many around Putin. A review from The Guardian can be found here.

Mr Kydd.

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Enrichment – something to listen to:- Napalm Girl: Spreading forgiveness 50 years on

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Mr Kydd

If you click here you will get a chance to listen to something rather special. It is a 20-minute podcast from Kim Phuc Phan Thi. She became famous as the girl in the Napalm photo of 1972 in the Vietnam War. Fifty years on she still bears the scars – both physical and mental. Yet the message she wishes to spread is not of anger or revenge, but of forgiveness and peace.

As such, I warmly recommend it to you.

Mr Kydd.

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Enrichment – Debating. The Gresham Competition

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Mr Kydd

If you click here you will get to information about the Gresham competition. Year Twelves only I am afraid. If you want to know more, please come and find me.

Mr Kydd.

What is The Gresham Competition?

Gresham College is launching a Competition for Year 12 students in September 2022, to promote the art of communicating complex information in a clear, concise and compelling way. This will

  • support the development of oracy skills;
  • help students with UCAS applications and job interviews;
  • promote a deeper understanding of the environment;
  • introduce students to the inspiring research of world-class academics.

This year the competition is focussed on the environment / sustainability in a five-minute, recorded presentation. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to present again in person in London, and there will be three awards (including prizes for student and the school).

If you would like to receive updates about this exciting new competition, send us an email at: schools@gresham.ac.uk or join our schools’ mailing list.

Why Enter?

  1. Participating in the Gresham Students competition will help students develop oracy and presentation skills useful for interviews and public speaking opportunities; it will also enhance CVs and UCAS applications.
  2. The entry process is quick and easy, with entries filmed and submitted within 5 minutes.
  3. Finalists will meet a panel of prestigious judges.
  4. Winners will receive cash prizes and medals: £250 gold, £200 silver and £150 bronze.
  5. The schools of winners will also benefit with priority access to lectures, visits from Professors or senior leaders, and a certificate.
  6. Since 2022 is a pilot year, we expect fewer entries.

Key Dates

  • 15th September 2022: Competition opens
  • 15th November 2022: Competition closes
  • 30th November 2022: Entrants notified
  • 24th January 2023: In-person presentation at Gresham College.
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