Stage 4 History (Mandatory) has been designed to provide students with an understanding of world history from ancient times to the modern world.

There are four focus issues, which form the basis of students’ knowledge and understanding of world history.

The content is divided into a number of topics. Each topic contains a number of areas of study. Inquiry questions are provided to define the scope of inquiry for each area of study. These questions are derived from the focus issues.

At the end of this stage, students should demonstrate an understanding of the four focus issues; however, the course allows for flexible programming approaches.

Teachers may program by developing a thematic link across topics.

All students must complete a site study. Appropriate support should be provided to enable access to site studies for all students, including students with special education needs.

Topics – History (Mandatory) Stage 4

Principal Focus

Aspects of world history, including the contribution of past societies to world cultural heritage and the nature of contact between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.

Focus Issues

1. Why do we study history and how do we find out about the past?
2. How did people in past societies and periods live?
3. What contribution have past societies and periods made to world cultural heritage?
4. What has been the nature of colonisation and contact between indigenous and non-indigenous people in Australia and elsewhere?

Topics	Areas of Study	Inquiry Questions
1. Introducing History Issues of historical inquiry must be integrated into all topics, although they may be introduced to students as a discrete topic	The purpose of historical study The nature of historical study Exploring heritage issues through a site study	How do historians investigate the past? How do historians record the past? How does the historian relate the past to the present? Why is History valued? Why is conservation of the past important?

Students must study at least one non-European option from Topic 2 or 3.

2. Ancient Societies Choose at least one area of study	Egypt Israel Mesopotamia Greece Rome Aboriginal Australia Britain Ireland China Japan South-East Asia India The Pacific The Americas	What were the origins of the society or time? How did people live? What were the main features of the society or time? How did the people govern themselves? What were the beliefs and values of the society or time? What contact did the society have with other peoples? What contribution did significant people and/or events make to the society or time? What has been the legacy of the society or time?
3. Medieval Societies and the Early Modern Period Choose at least one area of study	Medieval Europe Islamic world Renaissance Reformation China India Japan South-East Asia Scandinavia The Pacific The Americas Africa

Topics	Areas of Study	Inquiry Questions
4. Indigenous Peoples, Colonisation and Contact History Choose at least one from Section A plus Section B	The nature and impact of colonisation and contact Section A North America Central America South America Africa Pacific region China India South-East Asia Ireland Section B Australia (including a study of the longevity of Aboriginal occupation and contact history before 1900)	What is colonisation? Why and how did it occur? What were some of the significant social, economic and environmental features of the indigenous culture prior to colonisation? What were some of the key aspects of the contact between the indigenous and non-indigenous peoples? How did indigenous peoples respond to colonisation? What were the results and legacy of colonisation for the indigenous peoples and the colonisers?