HistoryResources
Description
History is a study of change and development in society over time and space. It is a fascinating exploration of human behaviour, choices and consequences of those choices as well as the power relations that operate in any society, present or past. History is no longer about memorising reams of content, but uses content as a context for developing the skills of enquiry, interpretation and knowledge construction. These are valuable life skills, involving identifying and evaluating relevant information, and then constructing history based on this. A new aspect of History is the exploration and analysis of heritage and public representations of the past, such as monuments, memorials, museums, buildings, heritage sites and community history and memory. This takes history beyond the classroom into the world around us.
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Why is History important?
History contributes to the development of life skills. These include the ability to analyse and organise a wide range of information, to develop logical arguments supported by evidence, and to understand and evaluate different points of view. Learners will develop an understanding of issues in our world today and of the importance of the past for understanding the present and building the future. History also teaches young people the skills and thought processes so necessary to becoming responsible citizens in a democracy. History teaches us that we have choices and that we can all make a difference.
What does it consist of?
The content in History is organised to answer two important key questions:
- How do we understand our world today?
- What legacies of the past have shaped the present?
By the time learners reach the end of Grade 12 they will have explored issues of globalisation, of the role of civil society, of human rights, race, gender, class, xenophobia and genocide and the impact that these have had in the past and are still having on our lives today.
The Learning Outcomes and Assessment Standards develops History as enquiry, builds conceptual knowledge and understanding, analyses different perspectives and interpretations and guides learners in the process of knowledge construction and effective communication.
How will this subject help a learner to get into the world of work or further studies?
Through the study of History, young people will learn the art of oral debate and the ability to express and justify a clear personal point of view. These are invaluable skills for any job or further education. The skills, processes and understanding built into the Learning Outcomes prepare learners for managing themselves and their studies at a tertiary level. History prepares learners for a wide range of careers. In the current rapidly changing world employers want people who are independent thinkers, open-minded, disciplined, good at problem solving, able to pick out the essential from the trivial. The ‘Which Subject, Which Career?’ guide published in the United Kingdom in 2002 it said about the study of History:
‘Historians are regarded as having had an education that trains their minds to assemble, organise and present facts and opinions and this is a very useful quality in many walks of life and careers…history is an excellent preparation for very many jobs.’ The study of history supports independent, critical thinking, valued in today’s world in all careers.
