Modern History Draft Summary

Summarised from Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Australian Curriculum Documents [May 2010]

Australian Curriculum: Senior History Draft

Summary(Australia) March 2010

Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria

Modern History: Years 11 & 12

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Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of VictoriaJune 2010

Historical questions and research

Analysis and use of sources

Perspectives and interpretations

Comprehension and communication

Skills: Years 11 & 12

Key events, people and ideas

Evaluating significant historical debates

Working with sources

Knowledge: Years 11 & 12

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Two courses for Years 11 & 12 will be offered:

1) Ancient History: 4 Units over Years 11 & 122) Modern History: 4 Units over Years 11 & 12

• Units for each course will be taken sequentially.

• At this stage, students in Year 12 will continue with the course that they have commenced in Year 11. (IE: Students cannot do Units 3 & 4 of the different history)

Stage of learning: Years 11 &12 Basic Structure

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Unit 1: Investigating Modern History (Year 11)

Unit 4: Asia & Australia 1937 – 2000 (Year 12)

Choose One: Year 12

Choose One: Year 11Unit 2a: The Nation State and National Identity

Unit 2b: Recognition and Equality

Unit 3b: RevolutionsUnit 3a: International tensions and conflicts

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In this unit students undertake 2 case studies:

• World War One• One of the following economic, political, cultural

and social debates:

i. The nature of industry and technology at the turn of the 20th century and the distribution of benefits

ii. Changing roles and experience in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

iii. The impact of the media, art, literature and entertainment on social change in the 20th century

iv. The ideas that shaped the modern era in the late 19th century

v. The changing nature of international tension in the second half of the 20th century – motives, perspectives and methods used to achieve goals

This is a compulsory unit.

Unit 1: Investigating Modern History (Year 11)

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In this unit students study key events of the first half of the 20th century.Students study:• one nation state and • an individual.

Contexts for study include: i. Australia 1880s – 1945ii. Germany 1870s – 1945iii. India 1850s – 1947iv. Japan 1850s – 1941v. USA 1890s – 1945

• This unit is one of two choices offered at Unit 2.

Unit 2a: The Nation State and National Identity (Year 11)

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In this unit students study the struggle of oppressed and disadvantaged peoples.

Students study:•one struggle for recognition and•one struggle for equality

Contexts for study are:i. Women’s study for equalityii. First nations and the struggle for

recognition and equality(2 Indigenous societies studied. Australia and one of Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada.)

iii. End of Apartheid in South Africaiv. Civil Rights movement in the US

Unit 2b: Recognition and Equality (Year 11)

This unit is one of two choices offered at Unit 2.

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In this unit students study the nature of conflict, the historical causes and consequences of conflict .

Students study:• one international tension or conflict.

Contexts for study include: i. The Cold War Eraii. Conflict in the Middle East iii. Decolonisation and independence in Asia

and Africa

Unit 3a: International tensions and conflict (Year 12)


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In this Unit students study the causes, course and consequences of Revolutionary change in the modern period.

Students will study one of the following Revolutions:

i. Americanii. Frenchiii. Russian iv. Chinese

Unit 3b: Revolutions (Year 12)


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In this unit students study the historical significance of WW2 in the Asia Pacific for Australia and Asian Nations.

Students study the war in South east Asia and ONE Asian nation. The Asian Nations to choose from are:i. Indonesiaii. Vietnamiii. China iv. Japan

Unit 4: Asia and Australia: 1937 – 2000(Year 12)

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FAQ

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When will the senior course be implemented in Victoria?It is expected that the new Australian curriculum for English, Mathematics, the Sciences and History will then be introduced in all Victorian schools and providers for students in P – 10 in 2012. This includes the new content and achievement standards and associated reporting of student achievement.For Years 11 and 12, it is expected that new Australian curriculum-based VCE courses in the subject areas of English, Mathematics, the Sciences and History will be introduced at Units 1 and 2 in 2013 and Units 3 and 4 in 2014.

Will students be able to undertake a Unit 3 & 4 sequence only?This is still to be determined. There are still some important issues to decided by both ACARA and the local curriculum and assessment authorities regarding implementation.

Will it be compulsory for all Australian students to undertake History at Years 11 & 12?No.

How many hours is the senior history draft expected to be delivered in?The indicative time given to writers for each unit was 50 – 60 hours.

Will Australian Curriculum courses be considered more important that state / territory offerings?No. When finalised, Australian Curriculum Courses will be implemented into the study design with other courses.

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You can contribute feedback:

ACARA: www.australiancurriculum.edu.au

VCAA: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

HTAV: www.htav.asn.au

Consultation forums will be held by the HTAV and VCAA throughout Victoria in June. Please see the websites for details.

http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/

http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/

http://www.htav.asn.au/

Education

Modern History Draft Summary