OUTCOMES
A student:
> describes contemporary methods and issues involved in the investigation of modern history MH11-1
> explains historical features, events and developments of the modern world and how they shaped the past MH11-2
> describes the different perspectives of individuals and groups and their role in events and developments MH11-3
> assesses the significance of historical features, people, ideas, movements, events and developments in the modern world MH11-4
> analyses relevant historical sources and issues in the investigation of the modern past MH11-5
> analyses and interprets different types of sources for evidence to support an historical account or argument MH11-6
> identifies and accounts for differing interpretations and representations of the past MH11-7
> plans and conducts historical investigations and presents reasoned conclusions using evidence MH11-8
> communicates historical understanding, using historical knowledge, concepts and terms, in appropriate and well-structured forms MH11-9
Related Life Skills outcomes: MH6LS-1, MH6LS-3, MH6LS-4, MH6LS-5, MH6LS-6, MH6LS-7, MH6LS-8, MH6LS-9, MH6LS-10
CONTENT FOCUS
Students engage in ONE historical investigation, through which they further develop their skills.
The historical investigation is designed to provide opportunities for all students to further develop relevant investigative, research and presentation skills that are the core of the historical inquiry process. The outcomes addressed in the investigation build on those in the History Years 7–10 syllabus. Modern History students will access the Year 11 outcomes at different levels depending on their previous experiences and abilities. The investigation also provides the context for a practical application of the general capabilities.
The historical investigation should extend a particular area of individual student or group interest. The investigation can be integrated into any aspect of the Year 11 course and need not be completed as one project.
Students should be encouraged to select a topic and presentation style that reflects their individual interests and abilities.
Possible historical investigations include:
● aspects of society as revealed through sources
● the causes and impacts of an historical event
● the significance of an historical development
● tracing the development of an aspect of the past over time through a thematic approach
● the analysis of an historical debate
● the contribution of an historical site to our understanding of the past
● constructions of the modern world
● the nature of social and cultural change in a decade of the 20th century
● an interpretation or representation of an individual, group or event.
History Extension will further develop investigative, research and presentation skills for those students who choose to take the course.
The investigation must not overlap with or duplicate significantly any topic attempted in the Year 12 Modern History or History Extension courses.
HISTORICAL CONCEPTS AND SKILLS
The following are to be integrated with the ‘Historical Investigation’.
Analysis and use of sources
Use the context, purpose, origin and audience of sources to identify their meaning at the time and their value in an historical inquiry (ACHMH007)
Analyse and account for the different perspectives of individuals and groups in the past as revealed in a range of sources (ACHMH010)
Analyse, interpret and synthesise evidence from different types of sources to make reasoned claims (ACHMH008)
Evaluate the contestability of sources and their reliability and usefulness for a particular historical question or inquiry (ACHMH009)
Historical interpretation
Analyse the extent and nature of continuity and change over time (ACHMH001)
Identify and prioritise varying causes to develop historical arguments about causation (ACHMH001)
Form judgements about historical significance, recognising that significance may be attributed in different ways and for different purposes
Analyse problems of historical interpretation (ACHMH011)
Evaluate critically different historical interpretations of the past (ACHMH011)
Evaluate contested views about the past, including contemporary perspectives (ACHMH012) Historical investigation and research
Frame questions to guide historical inquiry and develop a coherent research plan (ACHMH004) Develop, test and modify interpretations in the process of historical inquiry (ACHMH003)
Identify, analyse, organise and synthesise relevant information from a range of sources (ACHMH005)
Explanation and communication
Develop texts, particularly historical accounts and arguments, that are substantiated with relevant evidence from sources (ACHMH013)
Communicate historical understanding in forms appropriate to purpose and audience, by selecting and using historical knowledge, concepts and terms (ACHMH014)
Acknowledge sources as appropriate within historical accounts and arguments (ACHMH015)
CONTENT
● The process of historical investigation involves:
– planning and conducting historical investigations using historical concepts – formulating historical questions and hypotheses relevant to the investigation – locating and interrogating a range of sources
– selecting and organising relevant information from sources – identifying different perspectives evident in sources
– analysing sources for their usefulness and reliability for the question(s) asked – developing and/or examining historical interpretations
– using sources to develop a view about an historical issue
– synthesising information from a range of sources to develop and support a reasoned historical account or argument
– using historical terms and concepts appropriately
– presenting and communicating the findings of an historical investigation using appropriate and well-structured oral, written and/or multimedia forms, including ICT