Quakers Hill High School

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Modern history

So, if you enjoyed Year 10 history, you will enjoy HSC modern history! Studying HSC modern history will offer you deeper insights on how people and events in the past have helped to shape today’s modern world.

History reveals things we may not have seen in the present, such as;

  • solutions to problems
  • curses that were really blessings in disguise
  • trivial matters that fundamentally altered the course of major events.

History also keeps us from oversimplifying our experiences, showing us that every decision we make is a culmination of our past decisions and that there are always multiple factors – some obvious, some not.

Learning modern history

History helps us learn how to compare multiple versions of the same event or multiple solutions to a problem. This skill also helps increase our ability to empathise with other individuals, because we learn that no two people experience the same event in the exact same way.

The Year 11 course provides students with opportunities to develop and apply their understanding of methods and issues involved in the investigation of modern history. Students have the opportunity to engage in the study of a range of people, ideas, movements, events and developments that have shaped the modern world.

Year 11 course

The Year 11 course comprises three sections.

  • Investigating Modern History
    • Students undertake at least ONE option from ‘The Nature of Modern History’, and at least TWO case studies.
  • Historical Investigation
  • The Shaping of the Modern World
    • At least ONE study from ‘The Shaping of the Modern World’ is to be undertaken.

Historical concepts and skills are integrated with the studies undertaken in Year 11.

Student studying Modern History  in 2024 will look at the issue of contestability in History. You will look at the French Revolution, the Romanovs ( Russia), the Boxer Rebellion.

Year 11 course

In the Year 11 course, students undertake at least TWO case studies.

  • One case study must be from Europe, North America or Australia, AND
  • One case study must be from Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East or Central/South America.

Students are required to study at least one non-European/non-Western topic from a set list of topics provided within the syllabus.

See the Modern History Stage 6 syllabus for further information regarding course requirements.

The Year 12 course provides students with opportunities to apply their understanding of sources and relevant issues in the investigation of the modern world. Through a core study, students investigate the nature of power and authority from 1919 to 1946. They also study key features in the history of one nation, one study in peace and conflict, and one study of change in the modern world.

In year 12 you will study Power and Authority, Russia and the Soviet Union and Indochina.

Year 12 course

The Year 12 course comprises four sections.

  • Core Study: Power and Authority in the Modern World 1919–1946
  • One ‘National Studies’ topic
  • One ‘Peace and Conflict’ topic
  • One ‘Change in the Modern World’ topic

Historical concepts and skills are integrated with the studies undertaken in Year 12.

Modern History provides you with a sound knowledge of world events and research skills which can take you to a range of jobs, including, but not limited to:

  • lawyer
  • historian
  • policy worker
  • librarian
  • archaeologist
  • research assistant
  • sociologist

The study of Modern History aims to provide students with an awareness of the transformations that have taken place from the late eighteenth century to the present. As many of the events and issues investigated are still current, there exists relevance to the lives of students. Analytical, research and communication skills developed throughout the course will benefit students as they enter the workforce.

For more information please see our website which covers all topics in the HSIE curriculum being offered and advice on how to choose your subjects.

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