VCE Australian History – Units 3 & 4
Subject Overview
Australian History is the study of our own significant foundation and the transformative ideas and events that have shaped our nation. Australian history is contested and the past continues to contribute to our present social tensions and debates. Australian History helps you develop the key skills of critical thinking, research, empathy, problem solving and fluent/coherent communication.
Unit 3
In Unit 3: Power & Resistance 1788 – 1913 you will:
- Investigate the use of power and force in Australia’s complex story of colonisation
- Examine how first nations peoples confronted colonisation in various ways including battles, conflicts, resistance, adaptation and preservation of culture
- Explore the emergence of resistance in both first nations peoples and settler communities
- Consider governing structures, land reforms and social political and economic rights and reforms
Unit 4
In Unit 4: War and Upheaval you will:
- Investigate Australia’s involvement in conflicts including the Cold War and the Vietnam War
- Investigate the ideas of alliances with the USA and UK, fear of communism
- Explore the change involvement in both the conflict and anti-war protest movements had on Australian society
- Explore the extent Australia changed and/or remained the same during and after conflicts
Types of Assessement
- Analysis and evaluation of historical sources
- A Historical Investigation
- Essay
- Extended responses
- External end of year examination
Class Activities
- Concept & mind maps
- Exam style responses
- Short answer questions
- View film and documentaries
- Extended investigations
- Analysis of sources
Careers that may link to this subject area
- Academic Researcher
- Archivist
- Anthropologist
- Archaeologist
- Art Historian
- Heritage Protection
- Historian
- History Teacher
- History-based Game Developer
- Historical Fiction Author
- Museum Curator
- Records Manager
- Tour Guide