Stage 2 Modern History

Stage 2 Modern History - Length | Full Year (20 credits)

In the study of Modern History at Stage 2, students investigate the growth of modern nations at a time of rapid global change. They engage in a study of one nation, and of interactions between or among nations.

Content

Stage 2 Modern History is a 20 Credit course that consists of the study of:

• modern nations

• the world since 1945

• an individual history study

Modern nations

Students study one topic from ‘Modern nations’ and one topic from ‘The world since 1945’. Modern nations are selected from the following list of topics:

Topic 1: Australia (1901–56)

Topic 2: United States of America (1914–45)

Topic 3: Germany (1918–48)

Topic 4: The Soviet Union and Russia (1945–1991)

Topic 5: Indonesia (1942–2005)

Topic 6: China (1949–c1999)

In their study of a topic from ‘Modern nations’, students investigate the concepts of ‘nation’ and ‘state’, and the social, political, and economic changes that shaped the development of a selected nation. Through their study, they develop insights into the characteristics of modern nations, crises, and challenges that have confronted them, ways in which nations have dealt with internal divisions and external challenges, and the different paths that nations have taken.

The world since 1945

In their study of a topic from ‘The world since 1945’, students investigate the political, social, and economic interactions among nations and states, and the impact of these interactions on national, regional, and/or international development. They consider how some emerging nations and states sought to impose their influence and power, and how others sought to forge their own destiny.

Topics are selected from the following list:

Topic 7: The changing world order (1945– )

Topic 8: Australia’s relationship with Asia and the South Pacific Region (1945– )

Topic 9: National self-determination in South-East Asia (1945– )

Topic 10: The struggle for peace in the Middle East (1945– )

Topic 11: Challenges to peace and security (1945– )

Topic 12: The United Nations and establishment of a global perspective(1945–) 

In addition to formative assessments, the following summative assessment types enable students to demonstrate their learning in Stage 2 Modern History.

School based assessment                                                (70%)

Assessment Type 1: Historical skills                        (50%)

Assessment Type 2: Historical study                        (20%)

External Assessment                                                       (30%)

Assessment Type 3: Online Examination                 (30%)

Students provide evidence of their learning through seven assessments, including the external assessment component.

Students undertake:

·   five historical skills assessments

·       one historical study

·       one 2 hour externally assessed examination