482-104 Learning Area (Sec) History

A sub-major in history (economic history, classical studies and classical civilisation are acceptable).

The subject will familiarise students with the issues, methods and purposes of teaching history in the secondary classroom. The key areas of the course are planning and organisation; teaching and learning; recording and assessment; resources for learning. The course includes a detailed study of senior history including practical and theoretical issues in planning units of work from the VCE history study design. State curriculum policy documents will be used to explore ways that history can be organised to meet the different learning needs of students in the middle years of schooling. Pedagogical approaches will include those that advance critical thinking, metacognition, inquiry and literacy. The course will also involve considerations of the role of multimedia in history teaching. Topics include the value and place of different kinds of history and their links to other disciplines; the development of historical skills and concepts; the relationship between historical knowledge and participatory citizenship; the pursuit of empathy in coming to understand the past and the present; and a focus on gender, culture and society.

Written assignments and curriculum projects equivalent to 4000 words.

A collection of readings will be made available to students at cost.

• VCAA, History VCE Study Design. 2004.