Wesley College
Year 12 History
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Mr J. Eason.
History is a subject that offers an understanding of human activities in the past in the context of change through time. It enables students to understand politics, their heritage and that of their community, society and nation, as well the examination of other society’s heritage. Students are encouraged to read and analyse a range of source materials carefully with discrimination and insight. They learn to research and write effectively for a range of purposes, expressing their perspectives in a clear, well-organised and convincing manner. Students taking History will learn a number of important and highly transferable social skills including how to develop clear critical thinking, diplomacy, research, communication, reasoned debate, observation, recognizing differing points of view, and detect bias and propaganda.
History provides an opportunity for ākonga to understand how our historical narratives are shaped and how they influence our understanding of both ourselves and the world around us. Through whanaungatanga, vā, and fonua, ākonga are able to grow as confident, questioning, and empathetic individuals, with a developing understanding of their own place in, and their connection to the world around them.
History is a research-led discipline where ākonga are able to engage through pūrakau and pakiwaitara from our origin stories and nurture a growing awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – its principles, values, and ongoing relevance. Ākonga will have the opportunity to look at causes and effects, as well as the continuity and change of historical narratives. When engaging with sources, ākonga will be able to critique the historical narratives and the various perspectives around them by considering whose narratives are missing and whose have taken dominance, and the historical factors that contribute to shaping these narratives, including omissions and 'myth-takes'.
Ākonga will develop their understanding of the nature of historical inquiry and will apply culturally appropriate methodologies when conducting research. They will learn how to ask and answer important questions based on their engagement with a range of sources and substantiate their arguments and judgements. When critiquing the construction of historical narratives, ākonga are able to look at the strengths and limitations of sources used in their construction and how they can be contested. Ākonga will learn ways to determine the significance of the history that they learn and be able to debate that significance in different ways.
History presents ākonga with the dilemmas, choices, and beliefs of people in the past. Ākonga build on their understanding of differing perspectives and contested historical narratives. They learn to apply whakapapa as a framework to connect to whānau, hapū, iwi, communities, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the wider world - building connections with their own identities and sense of place. This encourages a greater level of critical thinking and engagement with sources of knowledge.
Exploring the shaping of identity in history can illuminate the space, relationships, and connections between people and te taiao. This is where the concept of vā can be applied as a powerful method of teaching and learning about place and identity within History. It is a concept from across the Pacific Islands which can be widely understood as 'relational space', where both personal and collective wellbeing is facilitated through sharing, giving, creating, and navigating space.
History prepares ākonga for the future because it equips them with knowledge and skills, such as the ability to articulate ideas and make them clear to others, that are valuable and useful throughout life and a wide range of careers. History also supports ākonga in exploring the significance of tūrangawaewae to Aotearoa New Zealand and in growing an informed understanding of its diverse society. It also provides space to explore the concept of fonua by highlighting the importance of belongingness and connectedness to both people and place, as well as the importance of having “a place to stand” where people feel secure, safe, respected, and accepted for who they are. Ākonga will understand the significance of the whakapapa of places, peoples, and events. They will learn how to think critically about local, national, and global historical narratives.
Course Overview
Term 1
Complete Research/ Inquiry assessment due end of term 1.
2.1
The 1981 Springbok Tour to New Zealand- or ANY Historical event of significance to New Zealand
No FAO available.
Term 2
Complete term 2 assessment 2.2
That answers your term 1 inquiry Focusing questions.
Due end of term 2
No FAO available.
Term 3
Complete term 3 assessment 2.4
The Historical Perspectives of Sir Apirana Ngata and Princess Te Puia Herangi on Maori Participation in World War 1 or any historical perspectives of significance to New Zealand assessment.
Due end of term 3
No FAO available.
Term 4
All three internal assessments have been completed
Revise for 2.3 External Examination
Historical Source interpretation.
Recommended Prior Learning
10+ credits at L1 History or 10+ credits at L1 English required.
Pathway
Learning Pathway
History is a broad and transformative subject that reaches beyond both secondary and tertiary study. It allows ākonga to connect to their heritage and engage with their own history, as well as the histories of others, which helps them better understand the world around them and influences how they connect with their community beyond the learning environment.
When looking at pathways, we aim to look broader than pathways into specific occupations. While it is important to prepare ākonga for further education, training, or employment post-NCEA, we also want to emphasise NCEA's ability to prepare them for pathways in life. This can look like engaging meaningfully with their education to develop skills which help them become who they want to be, providing space to explore their interests and aspirations, as well as discover new ones.
As a subject, History develops strong research skills and critical thinking, as well as conscientisation and the drive towards achieving an in-depth understanding of society, politics, and the wider world. It strengthens a range of transferable soft skills – for example, self-management, time management, and so on. Although these skills are foundational for tertiary study, they are also applicable in all walks of life, whether ākonga choose to pursue further study or embark on non-tertiary vocational pathways.
Historians carry skills and ways of perceiving the world that make them excellent problem-solvers, as they can look at an issue from a variety of perspectives to come up with the best solution. This makes students of History the problem-solvers of the future and valuable assets in any group or organisation they become part of. The society and economy of Aotearoa New Zealand want young people who are strong and ethical thinkers who can move into communities and the workforce, have their ideas challenged, and eventually be able to challenge their ideas themselves.
Through the learning of history, ākonga can go into local communities with a deeper understanding of tūrangawaewae, whakapapa, and whanaungatanga. This allows rangatahi to connect more deeply with hapū and iwi to support iwi development, advocacy roles, and liaison work to ensure culturally appropriate understandings and methodologies are used. Through these pathways, ākonga can become a force in decolonizing and indigenizing Aotearoa New Zealand industries.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
History 2.1 - Carry out an inquiry of an historical event or place that is of significance to New Zealanders
NZQA Info
History 2.2 - Examine an historical event or place that is of significance to New Zealanders
NZQA Info
History 2.3 - Examine sources of an historical event that is of significance to New Zealanders
NZQA Info
History 2.4 - Interpret different perspectives of people in an historical event that is of significance to New Zealanders
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