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History

Introduction from the History Faculty

We are a high performing Faculty which has quality teaching at its heart. We are a collegial and innovative staff that is prepared to take risks in order to develop 21st Century programs which seek to enthuse our highly gifted students.

We have suitably high expectations of our students and use assessment for learning strategies to help them improve their knowledge and understanding as ability groups and as individuals. The knowledge and skills learned whilst doing History at High (whether it be to Year 9, Year 10 or to Year 12) will allow our students to become articulate, critical thinkers and understand the importance of their rights and responsibilities as Australian and global citizens.

Years 7 to 10 History

History in Years 7 and 8 is taught as a one semester course – students alternate with Geography.

Year 7 History

The Year 7 History Course involves the study of two Ancient Societies, Ancient China and Ancient Greece. It introduces students to the nature of History and methods used by historians to investigate the past. Students use both Primary and Secondary sources to gather evidence, to answer questions about the past and to understand historical and heritage issues. An emphasis is also placed on not only developing the student’s ability to work independently but to also work cooperatively as members of groups to conduct an historical investigation and to communicate ideas and information. The History Department is also committed to developing the student’s literacy skills. History is ideally suited to improving these skills which include the comprehension of texts, the use of specific historical language and constructing a variety of texts for different purposes.

Year 8 History

Students undertake a number of independent and group inquiries spanning three areas of study: Japan under the Shogun, the Vikings and the Spanish Conquest of the Americas. The foundation work in History, established in Year 7, is continued in the Year 8 curriculum, with a focus on developing students skills in analysing and using historical sources. Both their formal assessments and ongoing classwork are designed to challenge and engage students.

There is also a strong emphasis on developing students’ formal writing skills throughout the course, which is designed to maximise student achievement within the course, as well as to best prepare students for the rigours of senior humanities study. As well as modelled answers and a number of formative tasks, students work to develop their own questions and marking criteria, as well as deconstructing questions and responses from previous assessments. This has consistently proven to be an effective strategy, as seen through students improved performance in formal written tasks throughout the semester.

Year 9 History

The Stage 5 curriculum at Sydney Boys High School has been compacted into Year 9. This has been a very successful initiative with both staff and students responding positively to the pace and challenge set. The strong focus on literacy continues in Year 9. The Stage 5 course covers the following units:

Unit 1: The Making of the Modern World: Industrialisation and Imperialism
Unit 2: The Making of a Nation
Unit 3: Australians at War.
Unit 4: Change in the Modern World

Many Year 9 students choose to continue with their studies in History in as the Year 10 History Elective. Year 9 who do well are also offered the option to study Modern History as an HSC-level Accelerated subject in Year 10.

Year 10 Elective History

The History Elective Course is an opportunity for students to gain knowledge and understanding of a range of History periods; to develop the skills required to be successful at both Modern History and Ancient History HSC and to further their enthusiasm for History.

The first unit of work which spans the first term and a half is History, Heritage & Archaeology: Archaeological Sites – City of Rome. This is very much an archaeological study of Ancient Rome.

The second unit is a school developed study on Medicine Through Time, focusing on Ancient and Medieval Medicine.

Students then move on to a study of Medieval Society: the Golden Age of Islam. Through sources and artefacts, students discover the wonders of the Golden Age of Islam.

This is followed by another school developed study: Conflict through Time. In class, students examine the conflicts of Alexander the Great before choosing to research and present on a conflict of their choosing. The final unit in the course is Crime and Punishment with a focus on the Rwandan Genocide.

Year 10 Philosophy

The History Faculty offers Philosophy as an option for Year 10 Students. This course has been growing in popularity. Research shows philosophy students consistently perform better in exams and earn more over their careers than peers who don’t study philosophy.

At SBHS, philosophy gives students the same advantage as students at top independent schools and those undertaking the International Baccalaureate, where it is a core subject.

Topics such as logic and political philosophy overlap with Maths and English, strengthening student skills and background knowledge across subjects.

Through Philosophy, students also have the chance to take part in exciting opportunities such as:

• Philosothon competitions
• Philosophy Day for Thinkers at Ascham
• Workshops with Newington’s Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics
• Philosophy sharpens student thinking and strengthens student voice.

What we cover in Year 10 Philosophy:

• Logic, Argument & Reasoning: Formal logic and learning how to build strong arguments and spot weaknesses in others’ reasoning.
• Epistemology: Exploring questions about knowledge: What is it, and how do we know what we know?
• Ethics: Debating what makes actions right or wrong, and how we should live. We do a depth study of Australian ethicist Peter Singer.
• Metaphysics: Investigating big questions about reality, existence, time, and identity.
• Student Choice: Exploring areas of personal interest such as aesthetics, political philosophy, gender studies, or key philosophers and movements.

Years 11 and 12: Preliminary and HSC History

Subjects offered in the senior school are:

Ancient History

TThe Ancient History Course allows students to study past societies drawing on a variety of disciplines and sources both written and archaeological. Examples include literary works, inscriptions, art, architecture and human remains enabling students to piece together an informed and coherent view of the past. The course allows students to develop their own interpretations alongside those found in secondary texts and how to deal with gaps in the evidence. Students also develop and apply the research skills and methodologies of the historian and archaeologists. They work as members of groups to conduct historical investigations, explore issues and historical problems using appropriate information technologies. This course enables students to develop higher order thinking skills necessary for further education, work and everyday life. It also raises significant contemporary ethical issues associated with present and future ownership of the past. The Ancient History Course empowers students with the knowledge, understanding, skills and values that are useful for their lifelong learning.

The Ancient History course is divided into the Preliminary (Year 11) and the HSC Courses. Below is the structure of both courses.

Preliminary Course

1. Investigating the past
   1. The Investigation of Ancient Sites and Sources
   2. Case Studies:
      1. Palmyra and the Silk Road
      2. Alexandria
2. Historical Investigation
3. Ancient Societies, Sites and Sources:
   1. Features of Ancient Societies: Roman Warfare
   2. Assyrian Warfare

HSC Course

1. Core: Cities of Vesuvius – Pompeii and Herculaneum
2. Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra 371 BC
3. Xerxes
4. The Greek World 500 – 440 BC

Modern History

The historian’s primary skill is the ability to gather and interpret available evidence. Meaning is constructed by incorporating various perspectives to the historical picture. The ability to understand complexity is a sought after skill for the 21st century citizen. The Stage 6 Modern History Syllabus offers students a range of learning opportunities to explore history. The Modern History course is divided into the Year 11 and the HSC courses. Below is the structure of both courses and there are sample programs. These change from year to year depending on what students want to study and teacher’s interests. Please see Ms Rigby (Head Teacher History) for further information on course content and structure.

Preliminary (Year 11) Course
The Preliminary course is conducted in the first three terms of year 11. We approach history by exploring themes and structures; arguments, interpretations and analyses.

Part I: Two Case Studies
Part II: Historical Investigation
Part III:The Shaping of the Modern World

HSC Course
Part I: Power and Authority in the Modern World
Part II: Russia 1917-1941 or China 1927-1949
Part III: Studies in Peace and Conflict: Conflict in Indochina
Part IV: Change in the Modern World: Civil Rights in the USA

History Extension

Focus: Historiography
History Extension is a one unit course for students who will sit for History in the current HSC or who have already completed that requirement. It is a challenging unit in which the History of, and nature of History, is studied. Every concept in the course is new to the class. It is not for the faint hearted.

As History Extension is not yet on the crowded official timetable students who choose this course will need to be mature, independent, committed, learners. To help them with a range of books and readings available in a portable form each student is issued on loan a Kindle loaded with useful texts.

Students are required to become Historians by conducting a research project on a topic of their choice. This is worth 40 marks out of 50 in the school assessment. The other 10 marks are from the Trial HSC.

The HSC examination is 2 hours long, for 2 questions: One question on historiography and the other on the historiography of a major case study. The current case study is Appeasement.

Studies of Religion

Religion has been and is an integral part of human experience and a component of every culture. An appreciation of society is enhanced by an understanding of religion, its influence on human behaviour and interaction within culture. The aim of the Stage 6 Studies of Religion syllabus is to promote an understanding and critical awareness of the nature and significance of religion and the influence of belief systems and religious traditions on individuals and within society.

Studies of Religion emphasises the development of skills of analysis, independent research, collaboration and effective communication. These skills empower students to become critically reflective life-long learners.

Students will develop knowledge and understanding about: the nature of religion and belief systems in local and global contexts; the influence and expression of religion and belief systems in Australia; and religious traditions and their adherents. They will gain skills relating to: effective gathering, analysing and synthesising of information about religion; effective evaluation and application of findings from research about religion; and communication of complex information, ideas and issues in appropriate forms to different audiences and in different contexts. Students will value and appreciate: ethical and socially responsible behaviours which are brought about through empathy for, and acceptance of, religious diversity; and the fundamental rights of religious believers, rules and laws that promote fairness, justice and equality in society.

The Studies of Religion Subject is divided into the Preliminary (Year 11) and the HSC Courses. Below is the structure of both courses.

Preliminary Course:
The Year 11 Course is conducted in the first three terms of Year 11 as a 2 unit subject taught in a 1 unit timeframe to allow students the choice to choose either 1 or 2 Unit Studies of Religion in Year 12. It covers:

1. The Nature of Religion and Belief;
2. Religious Tradition Study 1: Christianity
3. Religious Tradition Study 2: Islam
4. Religious Tradition Study: Buddhism
5. Religions of Ancient Origin
6. Religion in Australia pre 1945

HSC Course:
Sydney Boys High School offers Studies of Religion as both a 1 unit and a 2 unit subject, as outlined below:

The 1 unit Course:

1. Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post – 1945;
2. Religious Tradition Depth Study 1: Buddhism;
3. Religious Tradition Depth Study 2: Islam.

The 2 unit Course contains all of the above, but with three additional areas of study:

1. Religion and Non – Religion;
2. Religious Tradition Depth Study 3: Christianity;
3. Religion and Peace.