Modern History

MODERN HISTORY (BDC)

PRELIMINARY THEN HSC 2 UNIT CATEGORY A HSC and ATAR

Prerequisite

A reasonable standard in English.

Course Description

History has been described as a contested dialogue between past and present. The study of history allows students to perceive the world in a variety of ways as they develop powers of deduction and reasoning and learn to make sense of an increasingly complex global society. The study of Modern History has a distinctive role in the school curriculum as it challenges students to consider the great social, technological, economic, political and moral transformations from the late eighteenth century to the present. It requires students to analyse the causes, progress and effects of these transformations and, finally, to make judgements about them. Modern History is especially relevant to the lives of students, as the events and issues that form its content are, in many cases, still current.

The Year 11 course is designed to provide students with opportunities to investigate individuals, groups, events, institutions, societies and ideas in a range of historical contexts as a background for their more specialised HSC studies.

The HSC Course is designed for students to investigate national and international forces for change and continuity in the twentieth century through 3 major studies.

For whom is this subject intended

Modern History prepares students for many jobs. Employers recognise the value of historical study in teaching students to think clearly and critically, find information from all sorts of sources, including the latest information technology, work individually and with others on problem solving and write clear, well-argued reports. History provides a valuable basis for careers such as law, journalism, teaching, architecture, advertising, tourism, building restoration, town planning, research, public service, librarianship, politics, public relations and many others. From a personal perspective, the study of history is essential in the formation of well-informed, tolerant and well-balanced citizens

Main Topics Covered

Year 11 Course

Part I: Investigating Modern History

Part II: Historical Investigation

Part III: The Shaping of the Modern World

HSC Course

Part I: Core Study: Power and Authority in the Modern World 1919–1946

Part II: ONE National Study

Part III: ONE Peace and Conflict

Part IV: ONE Change in the Modern World

Particular Course Requirements

It is desirable that students undertaking Modern History in the HSC have strong literacy skills. Both the Preliminary and HSC course require strong writing and reading skills. The HSC exam contains a number of extended response questions.