Year 13 History (Level 3)
Subject Description
Head of Faculty: Mr B. Coutts.
History offers an understanding of human activities in the past in the context of change through time. It enables society to understand their heritage and that of their community, society and nation. By leading students to enter into other times and places to see how the past appeared to the people living then, it challenges them to think about continuity and change, similarities and difference, cause and effect. In the process, students learn that events require explanations, that change is complex, that truth is often difficult to establish and that personal judgements and opinions should be supported by firm evidence and coherent argument.
Level 3 History looks at the events and issues that led to a social awareness which impelled individuals and groups to take action. These events have helped shape our place in the modern world. Students will cover a range of topics which explore how ‘trends and patterns’ are shaped over time, as well as case studies on historical significance. Making judgements on Historical Significance underpins the topics looked at as well. One of the key skills taught this year is how to use historians’ opinions/perspectives (historiography) within writing as evidence. We will learn to critique evidence – both primary and secondary.
Topics include:
- Inquiring into World History
- Own topic choice individual research topic. Students will research a topic of significance, using both primary and secondary sources, in order to illustrate their understanding of the research process, source analysis and evaluation skills.
- Contested Event: The Invasion of the Waikato – A New Zealand Wars case study
- This topic looks at an historically significant event which destroy the aspirations of the Māori King movement to autonomy and self-determination, and allowed Pākehā colonisation to be advanced.
- Contested Event: Pacific History: Captain Cooks Death in Hawai’i
- Students will study the Sahlins–Obeyesekere debate where two different perspectives emerged as to why the British explorer James Cook was killed in Hawai’i. Students will investigate historians’ perspectives, analysing the evidence each used.
- Historical Trend: Resistance to Colonialism in Hawai’i
- This topic looks at trends across an extended period of time with the loss of sovereignty and increase in influence and control by European settlers. The focus of the topic looks at how racism / racial attitudes was an historical force that influenced peoples’ actions.
- Historical Trend: Advancement of Civil Rights in NZ
- This topic links to the period of counterculture focused on in Year 12 where a trends across an extended period of time emerged as both social attitudes and laws changed. Students will look at how individuals and groups made change, focusing on changing legal, medical, and religious opinions, as well as broader ideological changes.
The programme of learning will relate to the following Big Ideas that reflect the nature of history and historical knowledge;
- Big Idea: Historical Narratives are constructed.
- Big Idea: Historical Narratives are contested.
- Big Idea: Power Relationships often drive History.
- Big Idea: Place has shaped historical narratives of people.
- Big Idea: Identify is interwoven with history and is shaped by tūrangawaewae, whakapapa, and whanaungatanga.
Prerequisites
History can be taken at Level 3 without having done the Level 2 course. However, a minimum of 12 credits at Level 2 History is an advantage.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
History 3.1 - Research an historical event or place of significance to New Zealanders, using primary and secondary sources
NZQA Info
History 3.2 - Analyse an historical event, or place, of significance to New Zealanders
NZQA Info
History 3.4 - Analyse different perspectives of a contested event of significance to New Zealanders
NZQA Info
History 3.6 - Analyse a significant historical trend and the force(s) that influenced it
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 21
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
Possible Careers
Archivist, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Historian, Film and Video Editor, Barrister, Author, Urban/Regional Planner, Minister of Religion, Trainer, Journalist, Interior Designer, Communications Professional, Interpreter, Event Manager, Conservator, Technical Writer, Legal Executive, Editor, Solicitor, Judge, Curator, Radio Presenter, Workplace Relations Adviser, Records Adviser, Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Primary School Teacher, Kaiwhakaako Māori, Librarian, Translator, Library Assistant, Market Research Analyst, Tertiary Lecturer, Private Teacher/Tutor, Youth Worker, Secondary School Teacher, Travel Agent/Adviser,