Level 2 History
12HIS Course DescriptionTeacher in Charge: Mr M. Benham.
Recommended Prior LearningA wide general knowledge is always a good starting point for studying History. This allows students to place their learning in a wider context and a gives them a greater appreciation of events time and place.
This course has a focus on “The War of the Worlds” in the “Cold War”. In the period after World War II an ideological struggle took place for the hearts and minds of people. Democracy and communism faced each other in a contest for dominance at a time when both were adjusting to the responsibilities of having the nuclear bomb at their disposal. The Cuban Missile Crisis, Berlin Wall and Vietnam War are some of the topics investigated.
The impact of this struggle is also studied in a New Zealand and global context when students complete an in-depth study of the Vietnam War. Students will also conduct a research assignment on a topic of their choice as part of their internal assessment program.
History develops important skills. These include the ability to interpret and analyse information, draw conclusions and communicate findings in reports.
Course Overview
Term 1
Topic 1: The Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis
This was the age when the powers of the West and the Communist Block fought a battle for geopolitical supremacy that led to the very brink of nuclear Armageddon. We will be examining what the sources of this conflict were and how a nuclear holocaust was only just avoided.
Term 2
Topic 2: The War in Vietnam and the conflict in Indo-China.
This topic examines the origins and course of the war in Vietnam and how this conflict became part of a regional conflict. It examines how and why successive western countries became involved in a war that logic told them they could not win from the outset and what lessons this should have taught later administrations. The study also examines the Vietnam War in the wider context of the Cold War and Superpower relations up to the present.
Term 3
Topic: The War in Vietnam and the conflict in Indochina.(Continued)
Term 4
Revision
Assessment Policy & Procedures Pathway
History develops the essential skills for a wide range of tertiary study courses. A wider range of jobs opens up with a History qualification. Law, tourism archivist, sociologist, policy advisor, public servant political studies, archaeologist finance, social work etc.
Career PathwaysMarket Research Analyst, Office Manager, Policy Analyst, Private Teacher/Tutor, Secondary School Teacher, Intelligence Officer, Management Consultant, Test Analyst, Career Consultant, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Elected Government Representative, Emergency Management Officer, Communications Professional, Solicitor, Sales Representative, Curator, Office Administrator, Advertising Specialist, Copywriter, Foreign Policy Officer, Radio Presenter, Personal Assistant, Economist, Electrical Engineering Technician, Lift Technician, Human Resources Adviser, Exhibition and Collections Technician, Archivist, Police Officer, Historian, Barrister, Author, Bank Worker
Equipment/StationeryStudents require a 2B5 hardcover book and a 40 leaf clear file.