Modern History
Modern History is a Senior Authority subject undertaken in Years 11 and 12 that contributes to an Overall Position.
Through the study of the new and innovative Modern History program at Wynnum, students can develop an understanding as to why our modern world is the way it is. They can begin to understand the processes of change and continuity that have shaped today’s world, their causes, and the roles people have played in those processes. They can understand that there are relationships between our needs and interests and a range of historical topics, people and events. At a personal level, Modern History helps students to identify their social location, their place in time and their heritage within a distinctive culture. Students develop these understandings through processes of critical inquiry, debate and reflection, and by empathising with the views of others.
Career Possibilities
Modern History students are held in high regard in university courses such as Law, Journalism, Sociology, Teaching, Anthropology and Archaeology. The analysis skills taught in Modern History are highly valuable for careers such as Forensic Science and Business. Other career possibilities are: Stage Designer, Theologian, Minister of Religion, Librarian, Archivist, Museum Curator, Historian, Diplomat and Playwright.
What to expect studying Modern History
Modern History is exciting because students can develop their own beliefs and ideas about the modern world, pursuing topics of their choice within an overall theme. Furthermore, students have a wide range of choice as to how they present their understanding. For example, students may present their research as a:
- filmed documentary
- creative story (historical fiction)
- piece of music or dance
- web page
- piece of artwork (painting, sculpture)
- interview
- debate or formal speech
- analytical, argumentative or persuasive essay
- feature article for a magazine.
Other assessment will include:
- Response to Stimulus and Short Response Tests
- Extended Response to Historical Evidence Tests
Themes
The Modern History themes are:
- The History of Ideas and Beliefs: how ideas and beliefs (eg democracy, communism) have had an influence on history.
- Studies of Conflict: how conflict has defined the modern world from World War Two to the present.
- Studies of Diversity: how different groups work together or against each other to make up the colourful society we live in.
- History and the Global Perspective: are multinational companies like Microsoft and Nike responsible global citizens or just out to make money?
- A possible School-based theme that analyzes current events which hold interest at the time (eg terrorism)
The Inquiry Process
The historical studies the students choose within the themes will be based on a process of inquiry. While teaching will involve some expository and text based teaching, the majority of information gathering and event understanding will be student centred. Students will have the opportunity to locate, interpret, analyse and evaluate the historical sources they gather, both primary and secondary. In Modern History, these sources could include cartoons, diaries, letters, newspaper articles, documentaries and other artefacts.
The Inquiry Process includes five aspects:
- definitions
- sources
- backgrounds, changes and continuities, motives and causes
- effects, interests and arguments
- reflections and responses
Assessment Criteria
Student assessment will be undertaken in terms of the criteria set down in the syllabus.
Criteria 1: Planning and Using the Historical Research Process
Criteria 2: Forming Historical Knowledge Through Critical Inquiry
Criteria 3: Communicating Historical Knowledge
Students will be given the opportunity to visit the State Library in order to access a wider range of research materials.
Prerequisite Subject
A study of History in Year 10 is a definite advantage. Students need to be competent readers and be able to express themselves clearly – a pass in English is highly desirable.
Queensland Certificate of Education - 4 points
