ELECTIVE: Rights and Freedoms

What is the subject about?

“The message should be that there is nothing to fear or to lose in the recognition of historical truth, or the extension of social justice, or the deepening of Australian social democracy to include indigenous Australians.” Keating Redfern speech

As the world emerged from the atrocities of World War 2, many leaders strived to change the world to one that valued peace, harmony and protected human rights. However, across the globe people continued to experience discrimination and persecution. In this subject, students explore the events of the second half of the 20th Century with a focus on the people and leaders that risked all for equality and civil rights. Topics students will investigate are: Martin Luther King Jr fight for the Civil Rights Act in America and how it influenced Australian civil rights activists’ battle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander equality and recognition. Students will then explore how individuals can influence changes in the law with an emphasis on the Mabo land right and Native title.

Units

• American civil rights movement.
• Australian civil rights movements. 
• High court, Common Law, the Constitution and referendum.
• Mabo land rights and Native Title. 

Skills you will develop

• Ask historical questions and explore cause and consequence
• Analyse sources as evidence
• Explain social, political, economic and cultural feature and changes.
• Evaluate historical significants and construct arguments.
• Describe the role of parliament and courts as law makers.
• Discuss strategies that individuals have to influence law.   

Assessment

• Investigation report 
• Film Study
• Multimedia Presentation
• Source analysis portfolio

Pathways

Studying this subject can lead to the following careers

• Journalist 
• Lawyer 
• Author 
• Screenwriter 
• Politician 
• Activist 
• Teacher 

Prerequisites – Completed Yr9 CORE History unit. 

If you are interested in this subject please see Miss Gurrie