LEVEL: Stage 2
SACE Credits: 20 credits
LENGTH: Full Year
Recommended background: Satisfactory completion of Stage 1 Modern History, Stage 1 Society & Culture, Stage 1 English
Content:
Students will study two topics which may include: the United States of America (1914 – present) or Germany (1914 – 1948) and the Changing World Order (1945 – present).
In the United States of America (1914 – present) topic, students will explore elements of USA’s society, responses to the Great Depression, foreign policy and the emergence of the nation as a global superpower. Whilst the Germany (1914 – 1948) topic will involve students exploring the failures of the Weimar Republic, the ways a Nazi dictatorship was established, the persecution of minorities and post-war Germany and the impact of World War Two on Germany.
They will also explore political ideologies and the origins, nature, course and consequences of the Cold War up to the present day.
Assessment:
Students’ performance will be determined according to the subject’s Performance Standards, as outlined by the SACE Board. Grades A+ to E- will be used for reporting purposes. Students understanding and skills will be assessed in a variety of tasks that include:
- one individual Historical Study (20%, 2,000 words) into an aspect of the world since c.1750.
- five Historical Skills tasks (50%, 5,000 words) based on the United States or Germany topics. These may include:
- a museum display of significant objects related to the Cold War
- a historical interpretation response that compares and contrasts historian’s explanations on the causes of the Cold War.
- a historical report on a key individual, policy or event that led to the end of the Cold War
- a sources analysis test on events leading to the Holocaust
- an examination (30%) consisting of an essay on the Modern Nations topic and a generic sources analysis