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Year 12 Modern History ATAR

Course Overview

The Modern History ATAR course enables students to study the forces that have shaped today’s world and provides them with a broader and deeper comprehension of the world in which they live. While the focus is on the 20th century, the course refers back to formative changes from the late 18th century onwards and encourages students to make connections with the changing world of the 21st century.

Modern history enhances students’ curiosity and imagination and their appreciation of larger themes, individuals, movements, events and ideas that have shaped the contemporary world. The themes that run through the units include: local, national and global conflicts and their resolution; the rise of nationalism and its consequences; the decline of imperialism and the process of decolonisation; the continuing struggle for the recognition of human rights; the transformation of social and economic life; the regional shifts in power and the rise of Asia; and the changing nature and influence of ideologies.

Course Description

Unit 3 - Modern Nations in the 20th Century
This unit examines the ‘nation’ as the principal form of political organisation in the modern world; the crises that confronted nations in the 20th century; their responses to these crises, and the different paths they have taken to fulfil their goals.

Chosen elective of study: Russia and the Soviet Union, 1914-1945

Unit 4 - The Modern World since 1945
This unit focuses on the distinctive features of the modern world that emerged in the period 1945–2001. It aims to build students’ understanding of the contemporary world – that is, why we are here at this point in time.

Chosen elective of study: The changing European world since 1945
Future Careers
Modern History is important to careers in:

• Business
• Government
• Law
• Health
• Science
• Teaching
• Industry
• Tourism
• Environment
• Media
• The Arts