Humanities Group

Humanities Courses at St Mary's College

Scroll down for descriptions of: 

• History
• Politics

History

Course Description

The study of VCE History assists students to understand themselves, others and their world, and broadens their perspective by examining people, groups, events, ideas and movements. Through studying VCE History, students develop social, political, economic and cultural understanding. They also explore continuity and change: the world is not as it has always been, and it will be subject to change in the future. In this sense, history is relevant to contemporary issues. It fosters an understanding of human agency and informs decision making in the present. The study of history fosters the ability to ask searching questions, to engage in independent research, and to construct arguments about the past based on evidence. 

Course Structure

Unit 1 – Change and Conflict

In this unit students explain how significant events, ideologies and individuals contributed to political and economic changes in the first half of the 20th century, and analyse how these contributed to the causes of World War Two. They explain patterns of social and cultural change in everyday life in the first half of the twentieth century, and analyse the conditions which influenced these changes.

Area of Study

• Ideology and conflict
• Social and cultural change

Unit 2 – Changing the world order 

In this unit students explain the causes of the Cold War and analyse its consequences on nations and people. They explain the challenges to social, political and/or economic structures of power and evaluate the extent to which continuity and change occurred.

Area of Study

• Causes, course, and consequences of the the cold war 
• Challenge and change

Unit 3 and 4 – Revolutions

In Units 3 and 4 Revolutions students analyse the causes of revolution, and evaluate the contribution of significant events, ideas, individuals and popular movements. They analyse the consequences of revolution and evaluate the extent of continuity and change in the post-revolutionary society.

Timelines:

• The American Revolution (1754–4 July 1776)
• The French Revolution (1774–4 August 1789)
• The Russian Revolution (1896– 26 October 1917)
• The Chinese Revolution (1912–1 October 1949)

Area of Study

1. Causes of revolution
2. Consequences of revolution

Entry and Recommendations

There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3. Students must undertake Unit 3 and Unit 4 as a sequence.

Assessment

Satisfactory Completion

Demonstration of achievement of outcomes and satisfactory completion of a unit are determined by evidence gained through the assessment of a range of learning activities and tasks.

Level of Achievement

Unit 1 and 2

• Historical inquiry
• Analysis of primary source
• Analysis of historical interpretation
• Essay
• Examination

Unit 3 and 4

• Unit 3 School-based Assessment (25%)
  • Historical inquiry
  • Analysis of primary source
  • Analysis of historical interpretation
  • Essay
• Unit 4 School-based Assessment (25%)
  • Historical inquiry
  • Analysis of primary source
  • Analysis of historical interpretation
  • Essay
• Examination (50%)

Unit 3 and 4 Global Politics

Course Description

Global Politics is the study of the political, social, cultural and economic forces that shape interactions between states and other global actors in the contemporary world. It examines the interconnectedness of the contemporary global political arena and the impact of globalisation on culture, sovereignty, human rights and the environment. It examines the nature and power of key global actors and the types of power used by an Asia-Pacific state to achieve its national interests. It considers global ethical issues including human rights, people movement, development and arms control and explores the nature and effectiveness of global responses to crises such as climate change, armed conflict, terrorism and economic instability.

Course Structure

Unit 3 – Global actors

In this unit students evaluate the power of key global actors and assess the extent to which they achieve their aims and are able to challenge state sovereignty. They analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the use of various types of power by a specific Asia-Pacific state in pursuit of its national interests.

Area of Study

1. Global actors
2. Power in Asia-Pacific

Unit 4 – Global challenges

In this unit students analyse the debates relating to TWO global ethical issues and evaluate the effectiveness of global actors’ responses to these issues. They analyse TWO contemporary global crises and evaluate the effectiveness of global actors’ responses to these.

Area of Study

1. Ethical issues and debates
2. Global crisis

Entry and Recommendations

There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3. Students must undertake Unit 3 prior to undertaking Unit 4. Units 1 to 4 are designed to a standard equivalent to the final two years of secondary education. All VCE studies are benchmarked against comparable national and international curriculum.

Assessment

Satisfactory Completion

Demonstration of achievement of outcomes and satisfactory completion of a unit are determined by evidence gained through the assessment of a range of learning activities and tasks.

Level of Achievement

Unit 3 and 4

• Unit 3 School-based Assessment (25%)
• Unit 4 School-based Assessment (25%)
• Examination (50%)