blog

Aboriginal History In the New HSC History Syllabuses

31 May 2017

Aboriginal History In the New HSC History Syllabuses

This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the successful 1967 Referendum; with its huge practical and symbolic importance for Aboriginal people. So it’s fitting that NESA has publicised elements of the new HSC History syllabuses that will encourage History teachers and their students to look at Aboriginal History for study topics and historical examples.

Sydney Morning Herald – 27 May

We Do Have an Ancient History in Australia As Well: NESA Flags HSC Changes

As a result of changes made to the curriculum in the early 21st Century in NSW, and now across the country because of the Australian National Curriculum, students in contemporary Australia learn much more about Australia’s history than their predecessors. This takes place across K-10 and is taught in a more balanced manner than the old approach – students learn about our Aboriginal heritage as well as the years of white settlement.

The NESA announcement shows that, with the introduction of the new HSC History syllabi in 2018, students who choose to study a History subject as one of their HSC courses will be able to continue studying Aboriginal history.

For example:

Modern History
For a more detailed look, please go to http://syllabus.nesa.nsw.edu.au/modern-history-stage6/

HSC Modern History has traditionally been dominated by European topics such as World War One, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. NESA is consciously looking to expand teachers’ and students’ horizons and perspectives. This includes encouraging them to look at Australia’s Aboriginal history for examples of important principles.

For example, in Year 11 students will study five units, one of which is entitled “Investigating Modern History – The Nature of Modern History”. Students will choose one option from a list, which includes:

  • Construction of Modern Histories – including the study of historical individuals such as Pemulwuy
  • History and Memory – topics such as the Stolen Generations
  • Representation and Commemoration of the Past – this could include exhibitions such as ‘Contested Frontiers’ at the National Museum in Canberra.

Ancient History
For a more detailed look, please go to http://syllabus.nesa.nsw.edu.au/ancient-history-stage6/

The HSC Ancient History syllabus has traditionally been dominated by the three Mediterranean Ancient societies of Egypt, Greece and Rome. The new syllabus seeks to encourage teachers and students to look around the world for other ancient societies to compare and contrast with the ‘big three’.

For example, within the ‘Investigation of Ancient Sites and Sources’ topic students look at the treatment and display or human remains. The examples which they list include traditional favourites such as the mummified remains of Ancient Egypt, Ötzi the Iceman, but the suggestions now include the viewpoints of Aboriginal peoples.

This is just one example of change within the new HSC syllabuses of English, Maths, Science and History. Interestingly, NESA has also promised that all syllabi will be subject to review and possible changes every 5 years from now on. So we will be seeing many more changes like this as new HSC syllabuses are delivered and existing syllabuses reviewed.