13HIS - history

By taking History, you will be better able to understand current events and also be well-equipped to think and write analytically. The research and writing skills learnt through the study of History are directly transferable to most other academic disciplines, especially in the fields of Commerce, Humanities, and Law. Those seeking a legal career should take History alongside English. Careers in fields such as business, public policy, and journalism are also jump-started by a sound background in History.

Where can studying History lead me to in the future?

People with a background in History are employed in a wide range of in-demand and well paid roles including:

• Policy Analyst

• Barrister

• Court Registry Officer

• Judge

• Solicitor

• Journalist

• Teacher

Your teacher will choose a variety of topics from the range listed below. The number and duration of topics will depend on the teacher and assessment considerations, and in particular, the Scholarship prescription for 2025. Topics may be combined to create a thematic approach such as a wider study of the British Empire or US History. Additional topics may also be added:

• The Indian Mutiny

• The Atlantic Slave Trade

• The American Revolution

• Historical Debates on WWII and its origins

• Vietnam War & Pentagon Papers

• Strategic Bombing Campaign in WWII

• The French Revolution

• Berlin Olympics

• Tuskegee Airmen

• Nuremberg Trials

• OJ Simpson Trial

There will also be a scholarship tutorials available to students interested in sitting the Scholarship examinations. These sessions develop students’ ability to engage with conceptual thinking in History.

There will be no specialist scholarship class in 2025. All students will either be enrolled in 13HIS or 13HIU.

In a typical history lesson you might:

• Read a textbook, answer questions, and make notes.

• Examine historical sources such as newspapers or cartoons or speeches. 

• Listen to a presentation (and take notes).

• Engage in a class discussion or debate.

• Watch a film or documentary.

This course is open to all Year 13 students, even if they have not studied History before. You should:

• have an interest in studying the past

• be comfortable with writing lengthy essays

• be comfortable reading large tracts of text

• meet the minimum recommended prior learning of 14 credits in English or Media Studies or Classical Studies or Politics or History or Geography,, OR demonstrate suitable literacy skills to the satisfaction of the HOD (Mr Tester).

For the NCEA component, you will sit four achievement standards as follows:

Internals

• 3.1 - An internally assessed research project (5 credits - UE literacy reading).

• 3.2 - An internally assessed essay where you discuss key historical ideas related to an historic event and its significance to New Zealanders (5 credits - UE literacy reading).

• 3.4 - An internally assessed essay where you discuss perspectives on an historical event (5 credits - UE literacy reading). Many students coming from the 12HIS course will have already completed this standard. For those who have not (or wish to improve their grade), this will be incorporated into one single essay that will be used towards both the 3.2 and 3.4 at the same time (students will not be required to write more words, they will simply write a single essay which will meet the requirements of both standards).

Externals

• 3.3 - An externally assessed source based task where you examine historical sources and answer questions about them (4 credits - UE literacy reading and writing).

Or

• 3.5 - An externally assessed essay-based task (6 credits - UE literacy reading and writing).

Advanced students can also sit the History Scholarship exam.

NZQA History Subject Resources

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/history/levels/

School Policy for NCEA Assessment

You should be aware of the school procedures for NCEA assessment.  They can be found on the school website at this link. There you will find answers to frequently asked questions about how NCEA works as well as guidance about how to apply for extensions, reconsiderations or the process for withdrawing from a standard.