Modern History: 11270

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

The study of Modern History engages students in an investigation of the forces that have shaped the world, based on the analysis and interpretation of sources. It offers students the opportunity to investigate the possible motivations and actions of individuals and groups, and how they have shaped the world politically, culturally, economically and socially. Modern History stimulates students’ curiosity and imagination and enriches their appreciation of humanity by introducing them to a range of historical developments and experiences that have defined the modern world. Modern History enables students to trace the historical background of contemporary issues and to explore the significance of individuals, events and ideas. It equips students with knowledge, understanding and skills to help them examine and make sense of the world around them.

The study of Modern History requires students to understand and use historical concepts and apply skills in their investigation of people, ideas, movements, events and developments of the modern world within personal, local, national, regional and global contexts. Students are introduced to the complexities associated with the changing nature of sources, their expanding quantity, range and form, and the distinctive characteristics of modern historical representation. Students are encouraged to interpret sources for evidence, establish which evidence is relevant to an inquiry, and use evidence to construct and analyse historical accounts

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Suitability:

Career Pathways:

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Students who have an interest in investigating the past, and a willingness to develop writing skills

Students who undertake Modern History can explore relevant careers here

History Extension: 15280 (Y12 Only)

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

History Extension provides students with opportunities to examine the way history is constructed and the role of historians.

Students investigate the nature of history and changing approaches to its construction through sampling the works of various writers, historians and others involved in the practice of history. Students apply their understanding to undertake an individual investigative project, focusing on an area of changing historical interpretation.

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Exclusions:

Suitability:

Career Pathways:

The HSC Course (Year 12) equates to 1 Unit

50 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Must be studying Ancient History and/or Modern History

Students who achieve high results in Preliminary Ancient or Modern History and demonstrate ability to conduct independent inquiry.

Students who undertake History Extension can explore relevant careers here

Geography: 15190

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

Geography is an investigation of the world which provides an accurate description and interpretation of the varied character of the earth and its people. It is a key discipline through which students develop the ability to recognise and understand environmental change and the interactions which take place in our world.

Geographers investigate the opportunities for human activities, the constraints placed upon them and the impacts of these activities. The study of Geography allows students to perceive the world in a variety of ways and helps them make sense of a complex and changing world. Students complete a Geographical Investigation in Year 11 and undertake 12 hours of fieldwork in both Year 11 and Year 12.

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Contribution to the HSC and ATAR:

Two units for each of the Preliminary Course (Year 11) and HSC Course (Year 12)

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Satisfactory completion of the Geography course fulfills the pattern of study requirements for the HSC and can be eligible for the calculation of the ATAR.

Suitability:

Career Pathways:

Students who show a sound ability in Year 7-10 Geography and enjoy learning about the world

Students who undertake Geography can explore relevant careers here.

Studies of Religion 2: 11360 (Y 11) / 15380 (Y12)

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

Studies of Religion 2 promotes an understanding and critical awareness of the nature and significance of religion and the influence of belief systems and religious traditions on individuals and within society.

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Suitability:

Exclusions:

Career Pathways:

Two units for each of the Preliminary Course (Year 11) and HSC Course (Year 12)

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Students consistently achieving at an A-B range for both Religion and English

Studies of Religion 1

Students who undertake Studies of Religion can explore relevant careers here

Legal Studies: 15220

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

Our society is regulated by a complex set of rules and regulations which both guide and protect individual and community rights. Being well informed about legal issues, including the rights and responsibilities integral to our society, is part of being an active and informed citizen.

Legal Studies students will develop an understanding of legal concepts and the way the law functions in our society. The syllabus focuses on the way in which law is generated, how it is structured and how it operates in Australian and international contexts. Learning about our legal system will allow students to investigate the way our society operates and the influences that shape it.

Students will develop an understanding of the implications that legal decisions can have for Australian society and the ways in which the legal system can affect the lives of Australian citizens. A critical understanding of the processes of reform and change will help students to contribute to making our society more equitable for all

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Suitability:

Career Pathways:

Two units for each of the Preliminary Course (Year 11) and HSC Course (Year 12)

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Students who have an interest in studying how law governs society and the way we live

Students who undertake Legal Studies can explore relevant careers here

Business Studies: 15040

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

Business activity is a feature of everyone’s life. Throughout the world people engage in a web of business activities to design, produce, market, deliver and support a range of goods and services. In addition, investors, consumers and employees depend on the business sector for much of their quality of life.

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Contribution to the HSC and ATAR:

Two units for each of the Preliminary Course (Year 11) and HSC Course (Year 12)

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Satisfactory completion of the Business Studies course fulfills the pattern of study requirements for the HSC and can be eligible for the calculation of the ATAR.

Suitability:

Career Pathways:

Students who enjoyed studying Commerce and would like to learn more about how businesses operation and interact with our society

Students who undertake Business Studies can explore relevant careers here.

Economics: 11110

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

Economic decisions have a crucial influence on the quality of life experienced by people throughout the world. The study of economics can help individuals, groups and societies make choices that assist them to improve their quality of life. Discussion of economic issues dominates the media and politics. By understanding economics, students can make informed judgements about issues and policies and participate responsibly in decision-making.

The discipline of economics has a theoretical basis and economists often debate the relative merits of different theories when assessing economic issues and proposing solutions to economic problems, including economic modelling.

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Contribution to the HSC and ATAR:

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Satisfactory completion of the Economics course fulfills the pattern of study requirements for the HSC and can be eligible for the calculation of the ATAR.

Suitability:

Career Pathways:

Students who enjoyed studying Commerce and would like to learn more about how businesses operation and interact with our society

Students who undertake Economics can explore relevant careers here.

Society and Culture: 15350

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

The central goal of Society and Culture is the development of social and cultural literacy and a clear understanding of the interaction of persons, societies, cultures, environments and time. The influence of other aspects of societies and cultures – including power, authority, identity, gender, technologies and globalisation – is also central to the course. Society and Culture draws on cross-disciplinary concepts and social research methods from anthropology; communication; cultural and media studies; philosophy; social psychology; and sociology.

Society and Culture encourages students to manage their own learning, including opportunities to experience working within teams. In allowing students to study in areas of direct relevance to their lives, Society and Culture contributes greatly to the promotion of lifelong learning, providing opportunities for students to acquire a range of skills to support such learning. The study of Society and Culture prepares students for adult life by developing knowledge, understanding, skills and other qualities associated with effective citizenship at local, national, regional and global levels.

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Suitability: Career Pathways:

Two units for each of the Preliminary Course (Year 11) and HSC Course (Year 12)

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Students who enjoyed learning about different cultures and societies in 7-10 History and Geography and are willing to use or develop high level reading and writing skills.

Students who undertake Society and Culture can explore relevant careers here

Creative and Performing

Arts Courses

Drama

Music Visual Arts

Drama: 15090

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

Students in Drama study the practices of making, performing and critically studying. Students engage with these components through collaborative and individual experiences.

Year 11

Content comprises an interaction between the components of Improvisation, play building and acting, elements of production in performance and theatrical traditions and performance styles. Learning comes from practical experiences in each of these areas.

HSC Course (Year 12)

Australian Drama and Theatre and Studies in Drama and Theatre involve theoretical study through practical exploration of themes, issues, styles and movements of traditions of theatre, exploring relevant acting techniques, performance styles and spaces. Learning comes from practical experiences in each of these areas.

The group performance (3-6 students) involves creating a piece of original theatre (8–12 minutes duration). It provides an opportunity for each student to demonstrate his or her performance skills.

For the individual project, students demonstrate their expertise in a particular area. They choose one project from Critical Analysis or Design or Performance or Scriptwriting or Video Drama

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Suitability:

Exclusions:

Career Pathways:

Two units for each of the Preliminary Course (Year 11) and HSC Course (Year 12)

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Students who like to work collaboratively and independently in an active classroom, who are creative, imaginative and organised and enjoy sustained engagement in project-based learning driven by areas of personal interest Students who are receiving a C grade or higher in English would be most suitable for this course.

Projects developed for assessment in one subject are not to be used either in full or in part for assessment in any other subject

Students who undertake Drama can explore relevant careers here.

Music 1: 15290

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

In the Preliminary and HSC courses, students will study the concepts of music through the learning experiences of performance, composition, musicology and aural skills within the context of a range of styles, periods and genres.

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Suitability:

Career Pathways:

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Students who have experience and previous study in Music; who like to work collaboratively and independently; are creative, organised and prepared to engage in sustained instrumental practise outside of school hours. Students who are generally receiving a C grade or higher in English would be most suitable for this course

Students who undertake Music 1 can explore relevant careers here

Visual Arts: 15400

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

Visual Arts involves students in artmaking, art criticism and art history. Students develop their own artworks and art images culminating in a ‘Body of Work’ in the HSC course. Students critically and historically investigate artworks, critics, historians, artists from Australia as well as those from other cultures, traditions and times.

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Suitability:

Career Pathways:

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Students who are creative, imaginative and enjoy representing, discussing and writing about ideas presented in visual forms Students must be organised, independent problem solvers, and willing to engage with artmaking in a sustained manner. Students who consistently achieve a C grade or above in English would be most suitable for this course

Students who undertake Visual Arts can explore relevant careers here.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) Courses

Community and Family Studies (CAFS)

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies

Community and Family Studies (CAFS): 11060 (Y11) / 15060 (Y12)

NESA Stage 6 Syllabus

Community and Family Studies is designed to develop in each student an understanding of the diverse nature and interdependence of families and communities, within Australian society. The course enables students to plan and manage resources effectively in order to address contemporary issues facing families and communities.

The Preliminary course consists of three mandatory modules and the indicative course time allocated to their study. The HSC course consists of three mandatory modules representing 75 per cent of course time. An options component representing 25 per cent of course time includes three modules of which students are to study only one.

Students are required to complete an Independent Research Project (IRP) in the context of the HSC core module Research Methodology and this forms part of the HSC internal assessment. The focus of the IRP should be related to the course content of one or more of the following areas: individuals, groups, families, communities, resource management.

Number of Units:

Marks available:

Suitability:

Career Pathways:

Two units for each of the Preliminary Course (Year 11) and HSC Course (Year 12)

100 marks for the HSC Course (Year 12)

Students who are community based minded and show interest in concepts relating to well-being, needs, resources or welfare of families, communities, individuals and children. CAFS is suited to occupations such as: social worker, early childhood and infant’s teacher, counselling, psychologist and other human resources roles

Students who undertake CAFS can explore relevant careers here