Year 12 History (Level 2)
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. Students at Year 12 continue to develop skills in finding and presenting information, deciding what is relevant, structuring an essay and distinguishing facts from opinions.
The Year 12 (Level 2) course looks at topics that deal with ‘historical forces’ such as:
- Colonialism
- Nationalism
- Imperialism
- Feminism.
Topics include:
- The 1970’s Second Wave of Feminism
- This topic looks at how change happened in society that led to the removal of limitations on women and the improvement of their rights. An understanding of how women’s liberation groups carried out protest and activism in New Zealand allows students to understand the significance of social, economic, and political change was achieved as a short and long-term consequence of this activism.
- The Cold War
- In this topic, the focus is on International Relations and the Search for Security. The Historical Forces of Communism and Anti-Communism are emphasised. Students will look at specific case studies, using both primary and secondary documents. They will then undertake research into a Cold War event of their choice.
- Vietnam War
- The period of French colonialism in Vietnam and the First Vietnam War is the focus of this topic. Students will study how Vietnamese Nationalism, led by Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh, was significant as an historical force and worked to overthrow the French colonial regime.
- Bosnian War
- The conflict in Bosnia illustrates the impact of Serbian Nationalism as an historical force. The course will focus on the background to the Bosnian Conflict, where communism was replaced by nationalism as the historical force. The students will focus on the Siege of Sarajevo, and the massacre at Srebrenica.
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
Open Entry. All students are welcomes in this subject. This subject may be started at Level 2 without having done the Level 1 History course. However, a minimum of 12 credits at Level 1 History is an advantage.
Pathway
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
History 2.1 - Carry out an inquiry of an historical event or place that is of significance to New Zealanders
NZQA Info
History 2.2 - Examine an historical event or place that is of significance to New Zealanders
NZQA Info
History 2.4 - Interpret different perspectives of people in an historical event that is of significance to New Zealanders
NZQA Info
History 2.6 - Examine how a significant historical event affected New Zealand society
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,