Modern History - Stage 2

Mandatory: No

Duration: Full year

Description

Students wishing to study this course will find it an advantage to have successfully completed the Stage 1 Modern History course.

The study of history gives students the opportunity to make sense of a complex and rapidly changing world by connecting past and present. Through the study of past events, actions, and phenomena students gain an insight into human nature and the ways in which individuals and societies function. Students’ research and review sources within a framework of inquiry and critical analysis.

Students study one topic from ‘Modern Nations’ and one topic from ‘The World since 1945’, These topics will be selected by the teacher or in consultation with the class from the following list of topics:

• Modern Nations
  - 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–c.2004)
  - Topic 5: Indonesia (1942–2005)
  - Topic 6: China (1949 – c.2012)
• The World Since 1945
  - 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–)

Students will be assessed on the following:

• Assessment Type 1: Historical Skills (50%)

Students will complete five historical skills assessments. Two assessments must be based on the topic from ‘Modern Nations’ and three assessments must be based on the topic from ‘The World since 1945’.

Tasks completed could be in the form of:
 - an essay
 - a source analysis
 - an oral presentation
 - a multimodal presentation
 - a research assignment

• Assessment Type 2: Historical Study (20%)

Students will complete one historical study, where they choose a particular focus in consultation with the teacher and undertake an individual historical study based on an aspect of the world since c.1750. Students inquire into, explore, and research a historical idea, event, person, or group in depth. They interpret and synthesise evidence to support their argument and draw conclusions.

• Assessment Type 3: Examination (30%)

Students complete a 2-hour external examination that is divided into two sections:
- Section 1: Essay
- Section 2: Source Analysis