Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions
Year 10 HASS
Year 10 HASS: the modern world post-1918. Students investigate World War II, the struggle for rights and freedoms, post-war migration, and the forces of globalisation that shape our world today.

01World War II and the Modern World
An in-depth investigation into the causes, course, and devastating consequences of World War II, focusing on the Australian home front and global shifts in power.
Students will analyze the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and evaluate its role in creating conditions for future conflict.
Students will examine the ideologies and methods used by fascist and totalitarian regimes in Italy, Germany, and Japan.
Students will evaluate the policy of appeasement and its impact on Hitler's expansionist ambitions.
Students will investigate the invasion of Poland, the start of WWII, and the innovative German military tactic of Blitzkrieg.
Students will examine the Battle of Britain, focusing on aerial combat, technological innovations, and its significance in preventing a German invasion.
Students will investigate Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, the brutal conditions of the Eastern Front, and its impact on the war's trajectory.
Students will explore Australia's decision to join WWII and its initial contributions to the European and North African campaigns.
Students will examine the attack on Pearl Harbor and its immediate consequences, leading to the expansion of WWII into the Pacific.
Students will investigate the fall of Singapore and the bombing of Darwin, focusing on their impact on Australian security and national identity.
Students will study the Kokoda Track campaign, its brutal conditions, and its significance as a turning point for Australian forces.
Students will examine the systematic planning and execution of the Holocaust, including the role of concentration and extermination camps.
Students will explore acts of resistance by victims and efforts by individuals and nations to rescue Jews and other persecuted groups.
Students will investigate the impact of rationing and government economic controls on daily life in Australia during WWII.

02Rights and Freedoms
Investigating the struggles for civil rights and Indigenous sovereignty in Australia and the United States.
Students will examine the system of racial segregation in the US, particularly in the South, and its impact on African Americans.
Students will investigate the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education and its impact on school desegregation.
Students will study the Montgomery Bus Boycott as a pivotal event, focusing on the strategies of non-violent resistance and leadership of MLK Jr.
Students will examine the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, focusing on its goals and Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic speech.
Students will examine the key legislative achievements of the US Civil Rights Movement, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Students will explore the emergence of the Black Power movement, its ideologies, and the contrasting approaches of figures like Malcolm X.
Students will explore early Indigenous activism, including the 1938 Day of Mourning and the role of figures like William Cooper and Charles Perkins.
Students will study the Australian Freedom Rides, led by Charles Perkins, and their role in exposing racial discrimination in regional NSW.
Students will investigate the campaign for the 1967 Referendum, focusing on the arguments for and against constitutional change.
Students will assess the immediate and long-term impacts of the 1967 Referendum on Indigenous rights and Australian society.
Students will investigate the legal concept of 'Terra Nullius' and its historical application in Australia, leading to the Mabo case.
Students will examine the Mabo v Queensland (No 2) High Court decision and its revolutionary impact on Australian land law and Indigenous rights.
Students will study the government policies that led to the forced removal of Indigenous children and the devastating intergenerational impacts.

03Migration and Multiculturalism
Tracing the journey from a restrictive 'White Australia' to a modern, diverse multicultural nation.
Students will examine the 'Populate or Perish' policy and its motivations for increasing Australia's population after WWII.
Students will investigate the arrival of European displaced persons, particularly from the Baltic states, and their experiences in Australia.
Students will explore the assisted passage scheme for British migrants and its role in shaping Australia's post-war demographics.
Students will examine the historical context and mechanisms of the White Australia Policy and its impact on non-European migration.
Students will trace the policy shifts under various governments that led to the gradual dismantling of the White Australia Policy.
Students will investigate the geopolitical context of the Vietnam War and its role in creating the Vietnamese refugee crisis.
Students will examine Australia's response to the arrival of Vietnamese refugees, including public and political reactions and resettlement efforts.
Students will explore the concept of multiculturalism, differentiating it from assimilation and integration, and its formal adoption as policy.
Students will investigate the impact of multiculturalism on various aspects of Australian life, including education, media, and cuisine.
Students will examine the Tampa Affair and its role in shaping Australia's contemporary border protection policies and public debate.
Students will investigate the policies of mandatory detention and offshore processing for asylum seekers, and their human rights implications.

04The Globalising World
Exploring how interconnected economies, technologies, and environments define the 21st century.
Students will explore the origins and rapid development of the internet and its initial impact on communication and information access.
Students will investigate the rise of mobile technology and social media platforms, and their effects on social interaction and political engagement.
Students will explore the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence, its applications, and its ethical and societal implications.
Students will examine the complexities of global supply chains, from raw materials to finished products, and their economic implications.
Students will investigate the influence of multinational corporations on national economies, labor practices, and environmental regulations.
Students will explore the scientific consensus on global warming, its causes, and observable impacts on the planet.
Students will examine key international efforts to address climate change, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and their effectiveness.
Students will investigate how climate change disproportionately affects developing nations and vulnerable communities, raising issues of climate justice.
Students will examine the events of September 11, 2001, and their immediate impact on international security and counter-terrorism efforts.
Students will investigate the 'War on Terror', focusing on its impact on civil liberties, surveillance, and the rise of non-state actors.
Students will explore the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international bodies in addressing global health challenges.
Students will examine the COVID-19 pandemic, its global spread, and its profound impact on economies, societies, and international cooperation.

05Popular Culture and Society
Analysing how media, sport, and music reflect and influence Australian values and identity.
Students will examine the historical and ongoing influence of American film and television on Australian popular culture.
Students will investigate the rise of American fast-food chains and consumer culture in Australia and its social and health impacts.
Students will explore how major sporting events and achievements contribute to the construction of Australian national identity and values.
Students will investigate instances where Australian athletes have used their platforms to advocate for social justice issues.
Students will examine the role of music in Australia as a form of protest and social commentary, from the 1960s to contemporary artists.
Students will investigate how digital streaming services have transformed the music industry, affecting artists, consumers, and revenue models.
Students will explore how social media platforms influence self-perception, body image, and mental health among young people.
Students will investigate how social media fosters online communities and contributes to the formation of individual and group identities.
Students will examine the phenomenon of fast fashion, its business model, and its environmental and social consequences.
Students will explore the concept of ethical consumerism and the growing movement towards sustainable and slow fashion.
Students will analyze the historical evolution of diversity and representation on Australian television, from early programming to contemporary shows.

06Economic Performance and Living Standards
Understanding how the Australian economy functions and how wealth is distributed.
Students will learn about the role of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in managing inflation and interest rates through monetary policy.
Students will differentiate between various types of unemployment (e.g., cyclical, structural, frictional) and their causes.
Students will investigate the impact of automation, artificial intelligence, and the 'gig economy' on the Australian labor market and future jobs.
Students will examine how wealth inequality is measured in Australia and the factors contributing to the gap between rich and poor.
Students will investigate the role of Australia's social safety net and the tax system in redistributing wealth and reducing inequality.
Students will explore the causes and consequences of housing unaffordability in Australia and its impact on living standards.
Students will learn how the federal government collects revenue through taxes and decides on spending priorities in the annual budget.
Students will investigate the concepts of government debt and budget surpluses, and their implications for current and future generations.
Students will examine the role of the High Court of Australia in interpreting the Constitution and resolving legal disputes.
Students will investigate the division of powers between federal and state governments in Australia and how the High Court resolves conflicts.
Students will explore how international treaties and agreements influence Australian domestic law and policy.