VCE Modern History is the practice of understanding and making meaning of the past. It is also the study of establishing and representing that meaning. It is a synthesising discipline that draws upon most knowledge and human experience elements. Students learn about their historical past, their shared history and the people, ideas and events that have created present societies and cultures.
This study builds a conceptual and historical framework within which students can understand the issues of their own time and place. It seeks to extend students’ cultural, economic, social and political understanding while developing analytical skills and using imagination.
In Unit 1, students explore the nature of political, social and cultural change in the period between the world wars.
In Unit 2, students explore the nature and impact of the Cold War and challenges and changes to existing political, economic and social arrangements in the second half of the Twentieth Century.
In Units 3 and 4, Revolutions students investigate the significant historical causes and consequences of political revolution. Revolutions represent great ruptures in time and are a major turning point in the collapse and destruction of an existing political order, which results in extensive change to society. Revolutions are caused by the interplay of events, ideas, individuals and popular movements, and the interplay between the political, social, cultural, economic and environmental conditions.
Any two of these revolutions will be covered in Unit 3 and 4:
