GE033 UNIT 3: CHANGING THE LAND
This unit focuses on two investigations of geographical change: change to land cover and change to land use. Land cover includes biomes such as forest, grassland, tundra and wetlands, as well as land covered by ice and water. Land cover is the natural state of the biophysical environment developed over time as a result of the interconnection between climate, soils, landforms and flora and fauna and, increasingly, interconnections with human activity. Natural land cover has been altered by many processes such as geomorphological events, plant succession and climate change. People have modified land cover to produce a range of land uses to satisfy needs such as housing, resource provision, communication, recreation and so on.

Areas of Study

• Land Use Change
• Land Cover Change

Outcomes

•  On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse, describe and explain land use change and assess its impacts.
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse, describe and explain processes that result in changes to land cover and discuss the impacts and responses resulting from these changes.

GE034 UNIT 4: HUMAN POPULATION – TREND AND ISSUES
In this unit students investigate the geography of human populations. They explore the patterns of population change, movement and distribution, and how governments, organisations and individuals have responded to those changes in different parts of the world.
In this unit, students study population dynamics before undertaking an investigation into two significant population trends arising in different parts of the world. They examine the dynamics of populations and their economic, social, political and environmental impacts on people and places.

Areas of Study

• Population Dynamics
• Population Issues and Challenges

Outcomes

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse, describe and explain population dynamics on a global scale.
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse, describe and explain the nature of significant population issues and challenges in selected locations and evaluate responses.

Assessment for Units 3 & 4: S or N based on the demonstrated achievement of the outcomes specified above, school-Assessed Coursework and examination.

• Unit 3 School-Assessed Coursework: 25%
• Unit 4 School-Assessed Coursework: 25%
• Units 3 and 4 examination: 50%

Rationale: History involves inquiry into human action in the past, to make meaning of the past using primary sources as evidence. As historians ask new questions, revise interpretations or discover new sources, fresh understandings come to light.
The study of VCE History assists students to understand themselves, others and their world, and broadens their perspective by examining people, groups, events, ideas and movements. Through studying VCE History, students develop social, political, economic and cultural understanding.

HI133 UNIT 3 & HI134 UNIT 4: REVOLUTIONS
For Units 3 & 4 students will study and analyse Revolutions – specifically the Chinese (1949) and Russian Revolutions (1917).

Areas of Study

• Causes of Revolution
• Creating a New Society

Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to;

• Analyse the causes of revolution, and evaluate the contribution of significant ideas, events, individuals and popular movements.
• Analyse the consequences of revolution and evaluate the extent of change brought to society.

Assessment for Units 3 & 4: S or N based on the demonstrated achievement of the outcomes specified for the unit, School-Assessed Coursework and an end of year examination.

• Unit 3 School-Assessed Coursework: 25%
• Unit 4 School-Assessed Coursework: 25%
• End of Year Examination: 50%

PS053 UNIT 3: GLOBAL ACTORS
In this unit students investigate the key global actors of contemporary global politics. They use evidence to analyse the key global actors and their aims, roles and power. They develop an understanding of the key actors through an in-depth examination of the concepts of national interests and power as they relate to the state, and the way in which one Asia-Pacific state uses power to achieve its objectives.

Areas of Study:

• Global Actors
• Power in the Asia-Pacific Region

Outcomes
Students should be able to:

•  Evaluate the power of key global actors and assess the extent to which they achieve their aims and are able to challenge state sovereignty
•  Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the use of various types of power by a specific Asia-Pacific state in pursuit of its national interests.

PS054 UNIT 4: GLOBAL CHALLENGES
In this unit students investigate key global challenges facing the international community in the twenty-first century. They examine and analyse the debates surrounding two ethical issues, which are underpinned by the contested notion of global citizenship. They then evaluate the effectiveness of responses to these issues. Students also explore the context and causes of global crises and consider the varying effectiveness of responses and challenges to solving them.

Areas of Study

• Ethical Issues and Debates
• Crises and Responses

Outcomes
Students should be able to:

•  Analyse the debates relating to two global ethical issues and evaluate the effectiveness of global actors’ responses to these issues.
• Analyse two contemporary global crises and evaluate the effectiveness of global actors’ responses to these issues

Assessment for Units 3 & 4: S or N based on the demonstrated achievement of the outcomes specified above, School-Assessed Coursework and end-of-year examination.

• Unit 3 School-Assessed Coursework: 25%
• Unit 4 School-Assessed Coursework: 25%
• End of year examination: 50%