In Modern History, students study the forces that have shaped the modern world and develop a broader, deeper understanding of the world in which they live. The Modern History curriculum consists of four units. For each unit, there are topic electives that focus on a particular nation-state, movement or development. The electives chosen will be determined by available resources, teacher expertise, and students' abilities and interests. Each unit focuses on key concepts that underpin the discipline of history, such as cause and effect, significance, and contestability.
Students will examine historical topics such as the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and Imperialism. This unit introduces significant developments in the modern period that have defined the modern world, and the ideas that underpinned them, such as liberty, equality and fraternity.
Classes choose areas of study from topics such as US Civil Rights, Women’s Rights or Right-wing Dictatorships. The unit examines significant movements that emerged in response to ideas studied in Unit 1 and brought about changes in political debate in the modern world. A focus on the way individuals, groups and institutions have challenged authority to transform society.
We will choose a Western and a non-Western major nation to investigate. Examine the ‘nation’ as the principal form of political organisation in the modern world; the crises that confronted nations in the 20th century; their responses to these crises, and the different paths they have taken to fulfil their goals.
Students can examine phenomena such as the Cold War, Globalisation, Conflict in the Middle East or Australia’s engagement with Asia. Focus on the distinctive features of the modern world that emerged in the period 1945–present day. It aims to build understanding of the contemporary world -why we are here now.