NSS History

1
NSS History

• Introduction

2
What is History.

• History is the discovery of the constant and
  universal principles of human nature.
• David Hume

3
Why should you study History?

• To discover where you stand in the modern world
  through understanding the origins and development
  of modern events
• To approach past and current events in an
  impartial manner using a variety of perspectives
• To develop the skills of critical thinking,
  making sound judgments and effective
  communication through exploring historical issues
• To develop a global perspective and an enhanced
  understanding of the rapid change in todays
  world

4
How useful is History?

• Very useful
• Develop students potential for further studies
  in the humanities, social sciences or perhaps
  business management
• Training in History is very useful for
  professions that require critical and independent
  thinking
• Historical knowledge and skills can be applied in
  everyday life

5
CURRICULUM

• Compulsory Part
• Introduction The Making of the Modern
  World
• The foundations of Western supremacy
• Western expansion and the formation of colonial
  empires
• Asias reactions to western expansion
• Towards international cooperation

6
Compulsory Part

• Theme A
• Modernization and Transformation in
  Twentieth-Century Asia
• Hong Kong
• China
• Japan and Southeast Asia

• Theme B
• Conflicts and Cooperation in the
  Twentieth-Century World
• The two world wars and the peace settlements
• The Cold War
• The quest for peace and international cooperation

7
You have a choice!

• Elective Part
• Focus on an aspect of 20th century history
• Relevant to your needs, interests, and ability
  levels
• Choose ONE of the following
• Comparative Studies
• Issue-based Studies
• Local Heritage Studies

8
Elective Part

• Comparative Studies e.g. Compare the role of the
  US in helping economic recovery of Britain and
  Japan after the Second World War.
• Issue-based Studies e.g. Among all the
  participants in the First World War, should
  Germany bear the sole responsibility for the
  outbreak of the War?
• Local Heritage Studies e.g. The Bun Festival the
  changing culture and tradition of Hong Kong

9
Assessment

• Public Examination (80)
• Paper 1 Data-based questions (50) 1 hr. 45
  min.
• Paper 2 2 essay-type questions (30) 1 hr. 15
  min.
• Questions in both papers will fall within the
  Compulsory part.

• School-based Assessment (SBA) (20)
• A two-task course assignment related to
  students selected elective
• Presentation of study outline (10), conducted
  before the end of S.5
• Study report (10), submitted in the second term
  of S.6

10
Sample questions

• To what extent was Hong Kong modernised by the
  year 2000? Explain your answer with reference to
  Hong Kongs political and economic developments
  in the period 1970s-1990s.
• Do you agree that militarism harmed rather than
  benefited Japan up to 1945? Explain your answer.
• Compare the main features of Chinas
  modernisation efforts in the Maoist and post-Mao
  periods.

11
Sample questions

• In what ways was the Second World War a turning
  point in 20th_century world history? Explain
  your answer with reference to any one country or
  region covered by this syllabus.
• How effective was the United Nations in solving
  environmental problems in the second half of the
  20th century?
• To what extent were Israeli-Arab conflicts caused
  by the racial factor?

12
Qualities of a good History student

• Good command of English
• Good thinking skills
• Keen to ask questions
• Active learning attitude
• Fond of reading
• Acquisitive of truth