History

The History faculty at Sefton High School offers a wide range of courses. History is a process of inquiry into the past that allows students to think abut their place in human history and experience. It enables students to appreciate and enjoy human endeavours, achievements and, sometimes, mistakes. It also assists students to develop important skills for their future careers and private lives, skills such as thinking, problem-solving and communication.

Courses in History

Years 7 and 8 History

This course has been designed to provide students with an understanding of world history from ancient to modern times as well as the basic skills required for the effective study of History.

Topics studied in Year 7 are:

• Investigating the Ancient Past
• The Mediterranean World – Ancient Greece
• The Asian World – Ancient China

Topics studied in Year 8 are:

• The Western and Islamic World – Medieval Europe
• Expanding Contacts – The Spanish Conquest of the Americas
• The Asia-Pacific World – Japan under the Shoguns

Years 9 and 10 History

This course has been designed to provide students with an understanding of Australian history and the making of the modern world. Students will also develop the skills required for the effective study of History.

Topics studied in Year 9 are:

• World War I
• World War II

Topics studied in Year 10 are:

• Making a Better World? Movement of Peoples (1750-1901)
• Rights and Freedoms (1945-present)
• The Vietnam War(1945-present)
• Popular Culture (1945-present)

History Elective in Years 9 and 10

This course is offered as an elective over two years. The aim of the course is for students who particularly enjoy History to explore a range of thematic and historical studies, and to extend their historical skills.

Year 9 elective subjects:

• Vicious Vikings
• Henry VIII and Tudor England
• Terrorism in the Modern World
• History Mysteries: The Chamberlain Case

Year 10 elective subjects:

• Alexander the Great
• Joan of Arc
• History Mysteries: Assassination of President John F Kennedy
• History Goes to the Movies Titanic, The Crucible

Ancient History

The study of Ancient History enables students to acquire knowledge and understanding, historical skills, and values and attitudes in order to appreciate the ancient world.

Preliminary course topics include:

• Human Remains: Otzi the Iceman
• Homer and the Trojan War
• Representations of History in Greek Drama and film
• Site Study - Persepolis
• Power and Image Mad Emperors Caligula and Nero

HSC course topics include:

• Core Study: Cities of Vesuvius – Pompeii and Herculaneum
• One Ancient Society: Sparta
• One Personality in Their Time: Xerxes
• One Historical Period:  The Greek World 500-440 BC

Modern History

Modern History is designed to enable students to acquire knowledge and understanding, historical skills, and values and attitudes in order to appreciate the forces that have shaped the modern world.

Preliminary topics include:

• Investigating Modern History:The Holocaust
• The Decline on the Romans
• The Meiji Restoration (19th Century Japan)
• Shaping the Modern World: World War One

HSC topics include:

• Power and Authority in the Modern World
• One National Study: USA 1919-1941
• Conflict in the Pacific 1937-1951
• Civil Rights in the USA 1945-1968

History Extension

The aim of HSC History Extension is to enable students to evaluate the ideas and processes used by historians to produce history, and to apply what they have learned in order to enquire into areas of historical interest with increasing independence. The course involves:

• Part I: What is History?
• Part II: Case Study – Elizabeth I

Studies of Religion 1

The aim of Studies of Religion is to promote an understanding and critical awareness of the nature and significance of religion and the influence of belief systems and religious traditions on individuals and within society.

Preliminary and HSC topics include:

• Nature of Religion and Beliefs & Ancient Aboriginal Spirituality
• Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-1945
• Religious Tradition Depth Study 1 – Christianity: Martin Luther, Bioethics, Baptism
• Religious Tradition Depth Study 2 – Islam: Aisha Abu Bakr, Biethics, Hajj

History Assessment

Years 7 to 10 Class Assessments

Classes in Years 7 to 10 have a formal assessment schedule in which all students in the Year do the same assessment tasks. There are no separate class assessment tasks.

Years 11 and 12 Assessment

There is a formal assessment schedule for all courses based on BOSTES requirements.

History Excursions

Excursions include visiting the Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst with a Holocaust survivor as the guide, exploring the Chau Chak Museum at the University of Sydney to see Ancient Egyptian mummies, and undertaking an archaeological site study at The Rocks Dig in Sydney as well as a medieval show. HTANSW Excursions for HSC students; submarines at Darling Harbour

History Co-Curricular Activities

Our co-curricular activities include:

• There are inter-school History debating competitions for Years 10 and 11 students.
• Students participate in the National History Challenge and Australian History competition.
• Students from History classes are chosen to participate in the annual school Anzac Day service.
• History Club

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