Learning Matters

Year 10 Pop Art & Culture

The final Depth Study of the Year 10 History course is Popular Culture. In this unit, students investigate the evolution of Australian culture by researching a specific event, idea or phenomenon that has greatly influenced our way of life. In particular, we focus on significant changes that occurred in the decades following World War 2, a time when Australia’s increased prosperity coincided with a greater focus on engaging with the international community. From this point onwards, we became exposed to a range of new and progressive ideas that dramatically affected our national culture.

This semester an impressive range of topics was chosen. Students researched the impact of new technologies (such as the personal computer, television, the Walkman and mobile phone), achievements in the sporting world (such as the 1956 Olympics and the creation of World Series Cricket), the development of new fashions and fads (such as the bikini, mini-skirt and Hippie culture), and also major scientific discoveries (such as the polio vaccine and IVF). Just an important though, students had to evaluate the extent to which their topics continue to influence the modern-day world. 

Traditionally, the study of History has focused on political events, leaders, and international conflicts. In contrast, this unit explores Australia’s social history, and thus allows students to engage with their own world by considering the origins of our present-day lifestyles, pastimes and interests.

Mr Richard Long

Curriculum Coordinator