History

Units 1-2 MODERN WORLD HISTORY

Modern World History investigates the social, political, economic and cultural changes in the 20th century, touching on the later part of the 19th century, and the first decade of the 21st century. Modern History provides students with an opportunity to explore the significant events, ideas, individuals and movements that shaped the conditions and developments that have defined the modern world. These units provide the skills required for Unit 3 and 4 History subjects 

UNIT 1 - Change and Conflict 

Unit 1 focuses on the end of empires and the emergence of new nation states before and after World War One; the consequences of World War One; the contrasting decades of the 1920s and 1930s; the emergence of ideologies and conflict; and the causes of World War Two. Unit 1 also explores the changes in social life and cultural expression in the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century, and their relation to the technological, political and economic changes of the period. Students will learn to think like historians enabling them to critically analyse and explain the development of crises and conflict and evaluate the validity of different historical perspectives 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES Exploration and analysis of written and visual sources, oral presentations, discussion and debates, internet/research investigations, group activities, written tasks, documentaries and film to support learning. 

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Reading, group and class discussions, essay writing, note-taking, research and ICT activities, use of historical concepts, analysis of historical sources and historians’ interpretations. 

ASSESSED TASKS Assessed tasks will include a selection of a historical inquiry, essays, evaluation of historical sources (both historical perspectives and interpretations), short-answer questions, extended responses, a multimedia presentation, and an end of semester exam 

UNIT 2 - The Changing World Order

Unit 2 focuses on how, although there were initial efforts made to avoid warfare after World War 2, the second half of the twentieth century was dominated by the Cold War, competing ideologies of democracy and communism, and proxy wars between nations. Unit 2 also explores the rise of social movements, such as the Civil Rights and Anti-Apartheid Movements, that challenged existing values and traditions and the established social and political power structures within nations. Students focus on the causes and consequences of key events and movements, and the consequences for nations and people in the period 1945–2010. 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES Exploration and analysis of written and visual sources, oral presentations, discussion and debates, internet/research investigations, group activities, written tasks, documentaries and film to support learning. 

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Reading, group and class discussions, essay writing, note-taking, research and ICT activities, use of historical concepts, analysis of historical sources and historians’ interpretations. 

ASSESSED TASKS Assessed tasks will include a selection of a historical inquiry, essays, evaluation of historical sources (both historical perspectives and interpretations), short-answer questions, extended responses, a multimedia presentation, and an end of semester exam 

Units 3-4 HISTORY REVOLUTIONS

This subject will help students understand the causes, processes and patterns in violent and radical change in societies. Students explore revolutions and evaluate the causes of tension and conflicts and the role played by ideas, movements and leaders in revolutionary struggles. Students will also evaluate the role of ideas such as Marxism, liberty, equality and nationalism, as well as significant leaders and movements in shaping the revolutionary struggles. 

UNIT 3 

Students will study the following Revolution. 

• The Russian Revolution (1896-1927) 

Students will examine the role and significance of ideas, leaders, popular movements and events in the chosen revolution. An analysis of the challenges facing the emerging new order, and the way in which attempts were made to create a new society will be conducted. A second revolution will be explored in Unit 4. 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES Study of paintings, drawings and cartoons, film analysis, role plays, group tasks, research activities and analysis of secondary sources 

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Reading, group and class discussions, formal writing, note taking and ICT activities. 

ASSESSED TASKS Analysis of visual and/or written documents and an historical inquiry.

UNIT 4 

Students will examine: 

• French Revolution (1789-1799)

LEARNING ACTIVITIES Group tasks, analysis of propaganda posters, documentaries and research activities, historiography exercises and essay writing. 

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Reading, analysis and synthesis, essay writing, research, analysis of historical sources and historical interpretations. 

ASSESSED TASKS An evaluation of historical interpretations, an essay and an end of year written examination.. VCAA 

ASSESSMENT – The overall Study Score will consist of: School Assessed Coursework Unit 3 (25%), School Assessed Coursework Unit 4 (25%), 2 hour written examination in November (50%).