Stage 4

First is An Introduction to History in Year 7. This course deals with time, change, archaeology and ancient societies.

Stage 5

In Year 8 or 9, students must study Mandatory History 2 which is mainly concerned with indigenous people and colonisation. Mandatory History 3 and 4 are studied in Year 10. These courses in Australian History are in preparation for the School Certificate exam in History, Civics and Citizenship.

HISTORY ELECTIVES

Students can select from the following Electives:

• Aboriginal Studies
• Traditional society and the effects of white contact
• Ancient and Modern Worlds
• Change and continuity over the ages–civilisations, democracy, empires and science
• Archaeology
• Archaeology as evidence–Stonehenge, Rome, terracotta warriors
• Civil War to Civil Rights
• US history with a focus on the struggle for black rights
• Conflict and Terrorism
• Explaining the world in which we now live
• Fact or Fiction
• Evaluating films as historical texts
• Knights and Castles
• The world of Medieval Europe
• Mysteries and Mummies
• Mysteries and treasures of Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome
• Philosophy for Thinkers
• Great thinkers and their contribution to western civilisation
• Philosophy 2
• More great thinkers plus student learning and thinking styles
• Revolution and the Dictators
• Political, social and economic upheaval plus despotic rulers
• Vikings and other Conquerors
• A focus on Viking life plus the study of other famous conquests
• World War 2
• Origins, battles, weapons, leaders and consequences

To have History recorded as an Elective with a Grade on your School Certificate, you need to study 2 or more Elective courses:

100 hour accreditation:
Any 2 History elective courses

200 hour accreditation:
Any 3 or more History elective courses

HISTORY SENIOR STUDY
Stage 6

For the Preliminary (Year 11) and HSC (Year 12) courses, students may study:

• Ancient History
• Modern History
• Society and Culture

A one-unit course in Philosophy is available for study in the Preliminary course. Those students studying Ancient and/or Modern History for the HSC may also elect the one-unit course History Extension.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Experiences in History beyond the regular classroom are encouraged through a variety of activities, including:

• Excursions to museums and historical presentations
• Attendance at historical lectures and study days
• Performance groups visiting the school
• Participation in competitions
• eg. Greek Drama Festival
• Simpson Prize
• National Trust competition
• HTA History Extension Essay Prize
• Role plays eg. Medieval Feast day

STUDENT COMMENTS

• "History is excellent at SHHS as there are lots of great electives–World War II is the best."
• "The wide range of electives means that you learn about what you want to learn."
• "The teachers make the classes fun and exciting while still teaching important and relevant information."

Please contact the History staff for further information Ph: 42294266