Modern History 1-2

Modern History explores the significant events, ideas, individuals and movements that shaped the social, political, economic and technological conditions and developments that have defined the modern world.

This subject is suited to students who are:

• curious about the past

• open minded when considering new ideas

• willing to provide their point of view using persuasive evidence

• passionate about learning how more recent historical events have shaped the world and continue to have influence today

• considering studying a history subject in Year 12 in 2024.

Unit 1 - Change and Conflict

In unit 1 students investigate the nature of social, political, economic and cultural change in the later part of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century.  This period includes the First World War, the Communist revolutions in Russia and China, the Great Depression, the rise of Facism and Nazism and challenges to society and the world order.

Unit 2 - The Changing World Order

In unit 2 students investigate the nature and impact of the Cold War and challenges and changes to social, political and economic structures and systems of power in the second half of the twentieth century and the first decade of the twenty-first century.  This period includes the reshaping of post-war Europe, the Cold War, the wars in Korea and Vietnam and the Space Race.  Students will also explore movements for change - including the peace and environmental movements and the fight for equality.

History REVOLUTIONS Unit 3-4

This subject is only available to students who have completed Unit 1-2 Modern History.

In this subject you will look in depth at two major revolutions that have shaped the world as we know it: the American and Russian Revolutions. These were moments of radical social and political change.

Revolutionaries made deliberate attempts to break with past traditions and ruling regimes to transform society and government. You will start by examining the significant causes of revolution. Part of this is to consider the role different ideas, events, individuals and popular movements had in creating a revolutionary situation.

You then focus on how the revolutionaries went about trying to create a new society. You will look at how the new regimes were both threatened and radicalised. Then you will evaluate historical interpretations about the success of the revolution; the new regime’s consolidation of power; their compromise of revolutionary ideology; and finally, the degree of change brought to each society.

This subject is for students who are:-

• curious about the past

• open-minded when considering new ideas

• willing to argue their point of view using persuasive evidence

• passionate about learning how historical events have shaped, and are continuing to shape the world today.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3. Students must undertake Units 3 & 4 as a sequence within one calendar year.  

Satisfactory Completion: Achievement of the set of outcomes specified for the unit.

Levels of Achievement: 

Units 1 and 2: A range of school based assessment tasks, including end of year exam, will be utilised to record the standard achieved by students.

Units 3 and 4: School- assessed coursework / end-of-year exams.

• Unit 3 school-assessed coursework: 25%

• Unit 4 school-assessed coursework: 25%

• End-of-year examination: 50%