‘History is the true story of the human past’. 

This is not quite true. Actually, it is the story of mankind, based on the interpretation of available surviving sources left by individuals from the past. The role of the historian is to reconstruct an understanding of the past, and to become aware of the various social, economic and cultural forces that shaped societies in the past. It involves dissecting layers of truth, bias, cultural prejudice and dominant narratives that often exclude or make invisible minorities and groups of all shapes and forms in the past. More importantly, students and scholars of history can understand the ways of the world today, the root of its problems, the patterns of political and economic trends and the evolution of culture over time. Students learn critical thinking and analytical skills that allow them to see through events and narratives, in order to uncover the bigger picture of the human story.  

Students may study History either at advanced or intermediate level. While a SEC pass in History is an asset, it is not compulsory.

Prospective students are encouraged to check the MATSEC syllabi for advanced or intermediate level.

The syllabus at this level covers Maltese, European/International, and Mediterranean history for the whole period from 1750 till 2004. While the syllabus divides the various topics under these three headings, students will be encouraged to connect the various topics across time and space.

The Maltese section of the syllabus covers the period from 1800 to 2004, and includes topics such as political and constitutional history, economic and social development, as well as Church-State relations over a little more than 200 years of history. Students will be encouraged to look at the changing fortunes of the Maltese islands as they transited from the rule of the Order of St John and that of the French, to that of the British Empire. Aspects of the islands’ experience as a British colony will be explored, including social and cultural aspects, such as the development of education, migration and the Language Question. Malta’s role as a fortress will also be explored in relation to its impact on Maltese political freedoms and constitutional rights. In the second part of this section, students will explore Malta in the twentieth century, including Malta’s role in the two World Wars, social, political and economic development, politico-religious crises, and contentious debates on Malta’s future during the campaigns for Integration with Britain, Independence, military neutrality, and Malta’s bid for membership in the EU. 

The European section of the syllabus covers the period from 1750 to 2004 in European and International history. The narrative follows political developments in Europe from the French Revolution, Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, wars of unification, diplomatic alliances and rivalries against a backdrop of social and economic change as Europe and other parts of the world transition into industrial modernity. The second part of the section focuses on the twentieth century, with two World Wars, totalitarian regimes such as those in Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, the Cold War, Imperialism and Decolonisation and the path towards European integration.

The Mediterranean section of the syllabus covers the period from 1798 to 1992 and explores the various economic, political and military developments in the Mediterranean basin and its impact on both Maltese and European history. Topics include the Eastern Question revolving around the fate of the Ottoman Empire, often referred to as ‘the sick man of Europe’; the Anglo-French rivalries in the Mediterranean; Italian Fascist ambitions during the interwar period (1923-1940), World War 2, the impact of decolonisation in the Mediterranean, and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

At Advanced level, students are provided with five hours of lectures and one-hour tutorial session every week. One-to-one contact hours with staff members are also provided. 

At Intermediate level, students explore Maltese and European history between 1789 and 1921. The coverage of the narrative is less deep and detailed than at Advanced level.

The Maltese section of the syllabus includes topics such as constitutional and socio-economic development. Students will be encouraged to look at the changing fortunes of the Maltese islands as they transited from the rule of the Order of St John and that of the French, to that of the British Empire. Aspects of the islands’ experience as a British colony will be explored, including social and cultural aspects, such as Language Question. Malta’s role as a fortress will also be explored in relation to its impact on Maltese political freedoms and constitutional rights in the nineteenth and early twentieth century.

The European section of the syllabus includes topics such as political developments in Europe from the French Revolution, Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, wars of unification, diplomatic alliances and rivalries in Europe leading up to the First World War. 

Intermediate level students are provided with two hours of lecturing. One-to-one contact hours with staff are also provided.

---

Listen to the episode dedicated to history from the Junior College radio programme mill-Kulleġġ:
(the episode is in the Maltese language)