History Extension (HSC level only)

1 unit in HSC only

NESA Developed Course

Prerequisites: A Year 11 and HSC course in Modern History or Ancient History.

What background knowledge do I need to study History Extension?

Students must be studying either Modern History or Ancient History. There are no other prerequisites but is is assumed that students:

• have a love of, and interest in, history

• have competent essay writing skills

Why study History Extension?

History Extension has been designed for those who enjoy studying History. As the individual project represents a large part of the assessment in this course, it is an ideal course for students who want to research a favourite historical area. The course takes an historiographical approach and aims to develop historical thinking and writing. Therefore, it can strengthen these skills and so enhance the results of students in the 2 Unit courses. It is essential that Extension students are self-motivated workers.

Course description:

HSC History Extension is offered in Year 12 for students of either Modern or Ancient History. This course is designed to enhance the development of critical and reflective thinking skills essential for effective participation in work, higher learning and the broader community.

Main topics covered:

• Part I – Constructing History o Within this topic, students look at the key questions which provide a framework for the investigation the construction of history with a focus on historiography. Students then develop their understanding of significant historiographical ideas and methodologies by exploring one case study.

• Part II – Constructing History - Case Studies o Students then develop their understanding of significant historiographical ideas and methodologies by exploring one case study. Topics that may be studied include: Winston Churchill, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Cleopatra VII, Witches

• Part III – History Project o Students will choose and design a research topic. This topic may be chosen from any period of history according to individual interest.

Will I produce a major work for the history project?

Yes. A research essay of 2,500 words forms 40 per cent of the internal assessment program. This work may be chosen from any topic area and must be historiographical in approach. Students’ works will be supervised by a teacher but will be independently researched and written. Students may need access to academic libraries and will need to allocate some time outside school hours for their research to complete a work of the required standard. The major work is assessed internally. It is not tested in the HSC examination.

HSC examination structure:

The examination will consist of a written paper worth 50 marks. The time allowed is two hours plus ten-minutes reading time. The paper will consist of two sections:

• Section I (25 marks) o There will be one extended-response question. The question may include reference to one or two unseen passages as a stimulus for exploration of issues of historiography. The expected length of response will be around eight examination writing pages (approximately 1,000 words).

• Section II (25 marks) o There will be one extended-response question. The question will ask candidates to analyse an historiographical issue with specific reference to the case study. The expected length of response will be around eight examination writing pages (approximately 1,000 words)

How is Extension History relevant to tertiary studies and career choice?

This course provides excellent training in research methods for History and other disciplines. It develops students’ skills in library and internet research methods as well as developing skills in critically editing what they have written. Students become familiar with university libraries and campuses. They also learn to work collaboratively to help other researchers and develop independent work and thinking skills. Most importantly, they discover the challenges of meeting deadlines with large projects. This course is ideally suited to bridging the gap between school and tertiary studies or the workplace.