History
Courses:
History (Years 7-10)
History Elective (Years 9-10)
Modern History (Years 11-12)
Ancient History (Years 11-12)
History Extension (Year 12)
Legal Studies (Year 11-12)
Also on offer:
History (Years 7-10)
All students study History in Years 7 to 10. In Year 7, we look at Evidence, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Year 8 covers Medieval Europe, the Aztecs and Aboriginal Society prior to 1788. In Year 9, students examine Australian History since 1900, including Federation, Women at War and Migrants. This course continues in Year 10 - We will look at Australians at War (WWI, WWII and Vietnam), Communism and History's Mysteries. All students sit for the School Certificate Exam in History.
Excursions include a visit to Canberra in Year 10 and a site study . Incursions include Medieval Day in Year 8 and 1950s Day in Year 10.
History Elective (Years 9-10)
Students can choose History as an elective in Years 9 and 10. In Year 9, the topics include Crime, Law and Punishment; Entertainment in the Modern World; Terrorism and Ideologies. In Year 10, we examine African History, Slavery in the Modern World and the Kennedy Assassination. This is an intriguing topic and we will look at the evidence behind the official finding and the different conspiracy theories.
Planned excursions include a visit to the Police and Justice Museum and we organise movie visits for the Entertainment unit.
Modern History (Years 11-12)
In Year 11, we start with the US Civil Rights Movement, focusing on Martin Luther King, Black Power and Malcolm X. We also examine the decline of the Romanovs in Russia and the Opium Wars in Imperial China. The HSC Course begins in Term IV of Year 11 and starts with the core study - World War One. In Year 12, students learn about Nazi Germany, Hitler's favourite filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl and the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis. Students sit for the HSC examination in Modern History.
Excursions to the Holocaust Museum are organised every year in Year 12.
Ancient History (Years 11-12)
In Year 11, the topics include Archaeology, The Great Flood, The Trojan War, Greek Drama, Tutankhamen's Tomb and other Ancient Societies. The HSC Course begins in Term IV of Year 11 and covers four sections. We look at the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. We also examine the life of Tiberius Gracchus, a radical tribune, and Political Revolution in Rome, a period of crisis in the Republic lasting from 133 to 78 BC. The Ancient Society covered is Sparta, a fascinating military culture. Students sit for the HSC examination in Ancient History.
In Year 11, we visit the Museum of Ancient Cultures and Macquarie University. There are also study days for Year 12.
History Extension (Year 12)
Students who are achieving at a high level in Ancient or Modern History can choose to study History Extension in Year 12. This challenging course consists of two sections and a research project, which each student completes independently. The first section, entitled 'What is History?', explores the changing approaches to history. Students also examine a case study, The Nature of Western Imperialism in the 19th Century. For their research project, students can choose any issue, event, personality, etc, which has been the subject of historical debate.
Students go on an excursion to the National Museum in Canberra and visits to Fisher Library, Macquarie University Library or the State Library to help with their research project.
Legal Studies (Year 11-12)
In Year 11, topics include Sources of Law, the
Individual and the State and the Australian
legal system. As
part of their
assessment, students
prepare
a moot and research how the law affects disadvantaged
groups. The
HSC Course begins in Term IV of Year 11 and
starts with Law and Society, looking at
Law, Justice and Human Rights. Students then
study Crime and the Law,
including defences
Excursions in previous years have included
visits to Silverwater Prison, Parramatta
District Court,
the
Supreme Court (Crminial
division) in
Darlinghurst, Emu Plains Women's Prison and
the Downing Centre. Prison visits depend
on approval from the relevant authorities.
Students in Year 11 will have the opportunity to participate in the Inter-School Mock Trial Competition run by the Law Society of NSW.
Historical Society
This is an informal society run by Mr Kaplinski
for students (and staff) with an enthusiasm
for History.
In the past,
he has organised
guest
speakers, movie screenings, debates
and research projects. Information about
the term's events will be published in the
Newsletter.