Summary of the ACARA Modern History Curriculum (Draft) Australia 2010

1. Australian Curriculum: Senior History DraftSummary (Australia) March 2010 Modern History: Years 11 & 12 Summarised from Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Australian Curriculum Documents [May 2010] Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria

2. Skills: Years 11 & 12 Knowledge: Years 11 & 12 Historical skills & knowledge Historical questions and research Analysis and use of sources Perspectives and interpretations Comprehension and communication Key events, people and ideas Evaluating significant historical debates Working with sources Australian Curriculum: HistoryDraft Summary Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria June 2010

4. 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) Organisation of Content Australian Curriculum: HistoryDraft Summary Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria June 2010

5. Unit 1: Investigating Modern History (Year 11) Organisation of Content Unit 2a: The Nation State and National Identity Unit 2b: Recognition and Equality Choose One: Year 11 Unit 3a: International tensions and conflicts Choose One: Year 12 Unit 3b: Revolutions Australian Curriculum: HistoryDraft Summary Unit 4: Asia & Australia 1937 – 2000 (Year 12) Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria June 2010

7. One of the following economic, political, cultural and social debates:The nature of industry and technology at the turn of the 20th century and the distribution of benefits Changing roles and experience in the late 19th and early 20th centuries The impact of the media, art, literature and entertainment on social change in the 20th century The ideas that shaped the modern era in the late 19th century 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. Australian Curriculum: HistoryDraft Summary Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria June 2010

11. one struggle for equalityContexts for study are: Women’s study for equality First nations and the struggle for recognition and equality (2 Indigenous societies studied. Australia and one of Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada.) End of Apartheid in South Africa Civil Rights movement in the US Australian Curriculum: HistoryDraft Summary This unit is one of two choices offered at Unit 2. Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria June 2010

13. Unit 3b: Revolutions (Year 12) Content: Unit 3b 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: American French Russian Chinese Australian Curriculum: HistoryDraft Summary This unit is one of two choices offered at Unit 3. Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria June 2010

14. Unit 4: Asia and Australia: 1937 – 2000(Year 12) Content: Unit 4 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: Indonesia Vietnam China Japan Australian Curriculum: HistoryDraft Summary Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria June 2010

15. 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. FAQs 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. Australian Curriculum: HistoryDraft Summary 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. Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria June 2010

16. Consultation Opportunities 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. Australian Curriculum: HistoryDraft Summary Prepared by Annabel Astbury History Teachers’ Association of Victoria June 2010