Modern History Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
New syllabus implemented from 2027
The new Modern History 11–12 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2027.
2025 and 2026
- Plan and prepare to teach Modern History 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
2027, Term 1
- Start teaching Modern History 11–12 Syllabus (2024) for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the Modern History Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2027, Term 4
- Start teaching Modern History 11–12 Syllabus (2024) for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2028
- First HSC exam for Modern History 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
Detailed implementation information, including key features and resources, is available on the Human Society and Its Environment syllabus development page.
About the course
The Year 11 course provides students with opportunities to develop and apply their understanding of methods and issues involved in the investigation of modern history. Students have the opportunity to engage in the study of a range of people, ideas, movements, events and developments that have shaped the modern world.
The Year 12 course provides students with opportunities to apply their understanding of sources and relevant issues in the investigation of the modern world. Through a core study, students investigate the nature of power and authority from 1919 to 1946. They also study key features in the history of one nation, one study in peace and conflict, and one study of change in the modern world.
Year 11 course
The Year 11 course comprises three sections.
- Investigating Modern History
- Students undertake at least ONE option from ‘The Nature of Modern History’, and at least TWO case studies.
- Historical Investigation
- The Shaping of the Modern World
- At least ONE study from ‘The Shaping of the Modern World’ is to be undertaken.
Historical concepts and skills are integrated with the studies undertaken in Year 11.
Year 12 course
The Year 12 course comprises four sections.
- Core Study: Power and Authority in the Modern World 1919–1946
- One ‘National Studies’ topic
- One ‘Peace and Conflict’ topic
- One ‘Change in the Modern World’ topic
Historical concepts and skills are integrated with the studies undertaken in Year 12.
Board Developed Course
Course number(s):
- 11270 Modern History (2 units – Year 11)
- 15270 Modern History (2 units – Year 12)
Prerequisites: Nil
Corequisites: Nil
Eligibility: Nil
Study via self-tuition: Yes
Exclusions:
- 16673 Modern History Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16673 Modern History Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
- 16699 Human Society and its Environment Life Skills (2 units – Year 11) (where Modern History is undertaken within the course)
- 16699 Human Society and its Environment Life Skills (2 units – Year 12) (where Modern History is undertaken within the course)
Year 11 course
In the Year 11 course, students undertake at least TWO case studies.
- One case study must be from Europe, North America or Australia, AND
- One case study must be from Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East or Central/South America.
Students are required to study at least one non-European/non-Western topic from a set list of topics provided within the syllabus.
See the Modern History Stage 6 syllabus for further information regarding course requirements.
The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways.
Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website:
Assessment and exam information and support
Teaching and learning support
Modern History Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample 1 (DOCX 19.44KB)
Modern History Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample 2 (DOCX 19.37KB)
Modern History Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample 3 (DOCX 19.5KB)
Modern History Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample 4 (DOCX 19.13KB)
Modern History Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample 1 (DOCX 19.73KB)
Modern History Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample 2 (DOCX 19.78KB)
Modern History Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample 3 (DOCX 19.73KB)
Modern History Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample 4 (DOCX 20.22KB)