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Kiama High School

Kiama High School

Respect, Responsibility, Excellence

Telephone02 4232 1911

Emailkiama-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Modern History

2 units for each of Year 11 & Year 12 

Board Developed Category A

Exclusions: Nil

Course Costs: $10.00 



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.

The Year 11 course comprises three sections.

  • Investigating Modern History (60 indicative hours including ‘The Nature of Modern History’ and ‘Case Studies’)
    • Students undertake at least one option from ‘The Nature of Modern History’, and at least two case studies.
  • Historical Investigation (20 indicative hours)
  • The Shaping of the Modern World (40 indicative hours)
    • 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.

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.


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 1919–1946. 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.

The Year 12 course comprises four sections.

  • Core Study: Power and Authority in the Modern World 1919–1946 (30 indicative hours)
  • One ‘National Studies’ topic (30 indicative hours) One ‘Peace and Conflict’ topic (30 indicative hours)
  • One ‘Change in the Modern World’ topic (30 indicative hours)

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

Students are required to study at least one non-European/Western topic, for example: India 1942–1984, Conflict in the Pacific 1937–1951, The Cultural Revolution to Tiananmen Square 1966–1989.


Particular Course Requirements: NIL

Course Contact: Mr Mark Storch, Head Teacher: Human Society & Its Environment