The aim of History (Elective) is to enable students to acquire the historical skills, knowledge and understanding, and values and attitudes essential to an appreciation of the past and to prepare students for informed and active citizenship in a changing world.

Objectives

Knowledge and Understanding

Through the study of History (Elective), students will develop knowledge and understanding about:

• time and chronology, including:
  

  – different perceptions of time
  – conventions used to describe historical periods and the passing of time
  – chronological frameworks of people, events and historical forces
  

• the nature of societies from the past (Topic 1)
  
• the significant forces influencing the modern world (Topic 2).
  

Skills

Through the study of History (Elective), students will develop skills in:

(a) Interpretation and analysis
This involves the capacity to:

• identify problems and issues using historical information and sources
  
• interpret and use historical sources for the purposes of a specific historical inquiry
  
• recognise perspectives and interpretations about individuals, groups, societies and periods
  

(b) Research
This involves the capacity to work individually and in groups to:

• define the purpose of a historical investigation
  
• plan historical research to suit the purpose of an investigation
  
• locate, select and organise information from a variety of historical sources
  
• evaluate the usefulness of sources for the purpose of an investigation
  

(c) Communication

This involves the capacity to work individually and in groups to:


• identify the purposes and audience for communication
  
• select the appropriate form of communication
  
• use knowledge and understanding to retell, describe, recount, explain or argue clearly and coherently
  
• evaluate the effectiveness of the communication.
  

Values and Attitudes

Students will develop:

• commitment to informed and active citizenship
  
• commitment to a just society
  
• an appreciation of the study of history
  
• empathetic understanding
  
• commitment to lifelong learning.