HISTORY EXTENSION
Board Developed Course (ATAR) - 1 Unit - Major work requirement
History Extension is intended for students with a strong interest in historical inquiry, historiography and the interpretation of historical evidence. It is ideal for those passionate about understanding how history is constructed, contested and represented.
The course caters to students aspiring to pursue careers in history, archaeology, education, journalism, research and museum studies.
The course emphasises the development of critical thinking, historical analysis, and sophisticated writing skills, including the ability to interpret historical debates, evaluate the reliability of sources and understand different historiographical approaches. Students learn to write with clarity and depth, producing well-structured extended responses and investigative research projects that demonstrate advanced understanding of historical interpretation.
PRE-REQUISITES
To enrol in History Extension, students must be studying either Modern History or Ancient History as a co-requisite. This is a mandatory requirement, as History Extension builds on the skills and historical understanding developed in these subjects.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
• Constructing History
- Key Questions
- Case Studies
• History Project
Students are expected to:
• Interpret and analyse a range of sources and evidence
• Construct well-organised extended responses
• Evaluate differing historical interpretations and methodologies
• Apply critical thinking to historiographical debates
• Engage with historical theories and scholarly arguments to deepen understanding
HSC EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
The HSC examination for History Extension is a two-hour written paper that consists of two sections worth a total of 50 marks.
The examination assesses student understanding through extended response questions.
The expected length of each extended response is approximately 1000 words.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS COURSE
The History Project – Historical Process consists of three elements assessed as one formal task:
• proposal
• process log
• annotated sources
The History Project – Essay has an expected word count of approximately 2500 words.
Further information is available on the NESA website.