Course Description

This is the first course in a series of four courses on  Australian history.  Through classical education principles and a focus on Western civilisation, students analyse primary resources, engage in mapwork, and study key events. The course covers pre-history to the late 18th century.

 

Students will examine ancient conceptions of the south, the lives of the Aborigines, and artifacts from pre-history Australia. They delve into the Age of Discovery, exploring explorers like Quiros, Torres, Janszoon, Tasman, and James Cook. They will consider the scientific revolution and the work of botanist Joseph Banks. Students will then study the early colonial period, including the First Fleet's voyage, Sydney's landing sites and the early settlement period, including key historical figures such as Arthur Phillip and Bennelong. Assessment methods include reading assignments, mapwork, primary source analysis, essays, and discussions.

​

Prerequisites

History should not be study in isolation, but rather be seen as a continuum. Ideally students who undertake this course will have completed a grammar stage history course, having studied through the Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern and Modern historical periods. This course is aimed at students in the Logic phase (Grade 5-8).