History

In the History Department we are a group of teachers who are passionate about History in general and usually have one or two countries, eras or personalities that we particularly enjoy teaching. We strongly believe that students should know about human experiences, endeavours and achievements of the past. Such knowledge acquired in the context of Christian values will enable them to participate fully and make valuable contributions to the world in which they live. The study of History involves a process of inquiry which develops the skills of research, analysis, evaluation and synthesis and which will enable them to be independent learners for the rest of their lives.

Year 7 and 8 (Stage 6)

In Years 7 and 8 students are introduced to the nature of History and the methods used by historians to investigate the past. They examine topics such as the heritage of St Vincent's College, Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, Ancient China, Medieval Europe, the Aztecs, the Incas and the history of the early contact of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Australia.

Years 9 and 10 (Stage 5)

History is compulsory at St Vincent's College in Years 9 and 10. In Year 9 students cover topics drawn from the Elective course in the Board of Studies Syllabus. This includes topics such as Film as History with a special focus on the Titanic, World War II in Europe, the Cold War, the American West, Crime and Deviance, the American Civil Rights Movement, Alexander the Great and the French Revolution.

In Year 10 students study the mandatory Australian History course from 1901 to the Post-War Period. This course includes topics such as Australia and World War I, Australia and World War II, the Vietnam War, People Power and Politics in the Post War period and Australia’s Social and Cultural History.

Year 11 and 12

In Year 11 students have the opportunity to choose courses in Ancient History and Modern History and many students take both courses.

The Preliminary Ancient History course begins by offering students the chance to examine the methods used by Historians and Archaeologists to investigate the past, and consider the impact of Science on these disciplines and the ethical issues which arise. Case Studies then include Troy, Ice Man, Deir el Medina and the City of Rome. Students also undertake their own Historical Investigation.

The Ancient History HSC course has a core study which is an investigation of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Students then study Ancient Societies such as Ancient Sparta and Minoan Crete, a Personality such as Agrippina the Younger and an Historical Period such as New Kingdom Egypt.

The Preliminary Modern History Course has two case studies such as the Decline and Fall of the Romanov Dynasty in Russia, Decolonisation in Indochina, and Bismarck and Unification of the German States. The core study is the World at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century. Students also undertake their own Historical Investigation.

The Modern History HSC Course has a core study which is a source-based study of World War I with special focus on the War on the Western Front and The Home Fronts of Britain and Germany.

Modern History Students currently study Germany 1918-1939, Leni Riefenstahl and the Conflict in the Pacific 1937-1951 but these topics may vary from year to year.

At the end of Year 11 a small group of students are given the opportunity to undertake a further unit of History called History Extension. These students undertake a major historical Project into a topic of their own choosing. They also study the nature of History and how and why interpretations change over time. The current case study is the policy of Appeasement prior to World War II.