Overview

The History teaching area invites future teachers to explore the past in ways that are meaningful, engaging, and relevant for today’s secondary classrooms. Students study a rich range of histories, including European, American, Australian, Indigenous, Asian, and Ancient contexts, while exploring powerful themes such as war and peace, race and class, gender and sexuality, conflict, and popular culture. The teaching area emphasises how historical knowledge is constructed, debated, and taught, helping students learn how to design lessons that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and informed discussion. By connecting past events to contemporary issues, students develop the confidence and skills to bring history to life for young people and to support learners in understanding the world they live in. Graduates are well prepared to teach History in secondary schools and to foster thoughtful, informed, and engaged citizens.

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Completion requirements

Students in the

  • Bachelor of Education (Secondary) must complete:

First teaching area:

  • 60 cp from History and Archaeology Discipline Area units (Part A)
  • 20 cp from History Undergraduate Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (CPA) units (Part C.1)

OR

Second teaching area:

  • 40 cp from History and Archaeology Discipline area units (Part B)
  • 20 cp from History Undergraduate Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (CPA) units (Part C.1)


  • Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary) must complete:

First Teaching area:

  • 60 cp from History and Archaeology Discipline Area units (Part A)
  • 20 cp from History Undergraduate Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (CPA) units (Part C.1)


  • Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Arts must complete:
  • 20 cp from History Undergraduate Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (CPA) units (Part C.1)

*Please note students should also complete the History or Archaeology Major (First Teaching Area) or Minor (Secondary Teaching Area) as part of the Bachelor of Arts


  • Master of Teaching (Secondary)
  • Master of Teaching (Secondary) (Internship)
  • Master of Teaching (Secondary) (Leading Learning)
  • Master of Teaching (Secondary) /Graduate Certificate in Religious Education
  • Bachelor of Arts/Master of Teaching (Secondary)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)/Master of Teaching (Secondary) must complete:
  • 20 cp from History Postgraduate Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (CPA) units (Part C.2)


Students studying History as their First Teaching Area in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) or Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary) must complete 60 credit points of English discipline units as outlined in Part A.1 (on-campus courses) OR A.2 (Employment-based or online courses).

Part A.1 OR Part A.2

    Part A.1 : On-campus courses

    • Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
    • Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with Special Education Major
    • Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary)


    Part A.1.1 AND Part A.1.2 AND Part A.1.3

    Part A.1.1 : 100-level discipline units

    Complete 10 to 20 credit points from the following:

  • HIST106Australian Indigenous Peoples Past and Present10 CP

    COMPULSORY UNIT Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander and World Indigenous Histories (Modern History)

  • HIST105Early Modern Europe10 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern History

  • HIST116The Ancient Near East10 CP

    Archaeology

  • HIST117K-POP into Korean History, Societies and Cultures10 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern History

  • HIST118The Medieval World, 400-150010 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern History

  • HIST119Egypt and the Ancient Near East10 CP

    Ancient history Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the Archaeology major/minor or the History major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST120Global History: The Making of the Modern World10 CP

    Modern History

  • Part A.1.2 : 200-level discipline units

    Complete 10 to 30 credit points from the following:

  • ENHU270Unsustainable: A Global History of Consumption10 CP

    Environmental Humanities or Modern History Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the History major/minor or the Environmental Humanities major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST207Fall of the Roman Republic10 CP

    Ancient World

  • HIST208Fascism10 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST209Revolutionary Europe 1789-191710 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST214Immigrants and Refugees in Australian History10 CP

    Asian, Australian and Indigenous Histories

  • HIST215Europe Divided and United 1945-Present10 CP

    Modern History or Politics and International Relations Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the History major/minor or the Politics and International Relations major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST216Europe in the Middle Ages and Beyond10 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST218Oral History: Australian Women's Voices10 CP

    Asian, Australian and Indigenous Histories

  • HIST222Greek City States10 CP

    Ancient World

  • HIST225US Foreign Policy Since 194510 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST229Rebels and Revolutions in Latin America10 CP

    Europe, Britain and the Americas

  • HIST230Life and Death in Pompeii10 CP

    Ancient History

  • HIST231Women in History10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST240Ancient Israel: Empires and Exile10 CP

    Archaeology

  • HIST241Persians, Greeks and Romans: Cyrus to the Caesars10 CP

    Ancient history Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the Archaeology major/minor or the History major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST250Introduction to Philippines History and Culture10 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST251Human Rights in History10 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST253Underbelly Australia: Crime and Social History10 CP

    Asian, Australian and Indigenous Histories

  • HIST254History, Myth and Legend10 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST256War and Peace10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST257To Protect or Punish? Childhood and Youth in History10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST260Keep Calm and Carry on British History Since 190110 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST261The Rise of Asia in the Modern World10 CP

    Asian, Australian and Indigenous Histories

  • HIST262Money and Power in the Western World10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST263The Making of Modern America, 1865 to 194510 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST264From Truman to Trump the US Since 194510 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST265Ancient Rome: Kingdom, Republic and Empire10 CP

    Ancient World

  • HIST266News Flash: History and the Media10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST267Diasporas and Journeys: Migration in World History10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST268Aboriginal and Torres Strait Communities: Sharing Histories of Australia10 CP

    Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander and World Indigenous Histories (Modern History) This unit only available to teaching students enrolled in the ACUO version of the Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary) and employment- pathway Bachelor of Education (Secondary) version.

  • HUMA207More than a Museum: Modern Rome10 CP

    Modern History

  • HUMA250Ancient Greek History and Drama10 CP

    Ancient World

  • HUMA252Art, Politics and Society in Renaissance and Baroque Rome10 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern History

  • Part A.1.3 : 300-level discipline units

    Complete at least 20 credit points from the following:

  • HIST308Making History10 CP

    COMPULSORY UNIT This unit may count as either a Modern or Ancient history unit for ITE students in NSW. Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the Archaeology major/minor or the History major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST327Settler Colonies in Indigenous Lands10 CP

    Aboriginal & Torres Strait Isalnder and World Indigenous Histories (Modern History)

  • HIST334Film and History10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST335The Global Spanish Empire: Conquest to Collapse10 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern

  • HIST336From Herod to Hadrian: The History and Archaeology of Roman Judaea10 CP

    Ancient history Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the Archaeology major/minor or the History major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST341History and Memory: Uses and Abuses of the Past10 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST342A History of the Present10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST350Women in the Later Roman Empire10 CP

    Ancient History

  • HUMA319Rome Field School: Landscapes Past and Present10 CP

    Modern and Ancient History

  • HUMA332Arts and Humanities Special Project10 CP

    *Restriction requirement for HUMA332. A quota applies to this unit. An application process applies for special projects on offer and academic merit will be considered. The student must have a GPA of at least 5.5 and be undertaking a major taught by the National School of Arts and Humanities (not including Mathematics and Design and Technology). Permission from the National Head of School is required prior to enrolling in this unit.

  • HUMA334Arts Field Trip or Study Tour10 CP
  • Part A.2 : Online courses (Employment Pathway or ACUO version)

    Applies to the following courses:

    • Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with an Employment Pathway
    • Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with a major in Special Education and an Employment Pathway
    • Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary) ACU Online

    Part A.2.1 AND Part A.2.2 AND Part A.2.3

    Part A.2.1 : 100-level units

    Complete exactly 20 credit points from the following:

  • HIST105Early Modern Europe10 CP

    Recommended for students in NSW

  • HIST117K-POP into Korean History, Societies and Cultures10 CP
  • HIST120Global History: The Making of the Modern World10 CP
  • Part A.2.2 : 200-level units

    Complete exactly 20 credit points from the following:

  • HIST230Life and Death in Pompeii10 CP
  • HIST268Aboriginal and Torres Strait Communities: Sharing Histories of Australia10 CP
  • Part A.2.3 : 300-level units

    Complete exactly 20 credit points from the following:

  • HIST308Making History10 CP
  • HIST341History and Memory: Uses and Abuses of the Past10 CP

Students studying English as their Second Teaching Area in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) must complete 40 credit points of English discipline units as outlined in Part B.1 (on-campus) OR B.2 (employment-based).

Part B.1 OR Part B.2

    Part B.1 : On-campus

    Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (excluding pathway options)

    Part B.1.1 AND Part B.1.2

    Part B.1.1 : 100-level discipline units

    Complete 10 to 20 credit points from the following:

  • HIST105Early Modern Europe10 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern History

  • HIST106Australian Indigenous Peoples Past and Present10 CP

    Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander and World Indigenous Histories (Modern History)

  • HIST117K-POP into Korean History, Societies and Cultures10 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern History

  • HIST118The Medieval World, 400-150010 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern History

  • HIST119Egypt and the Ancient Near East10 CP

    Ancient history Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the Archaeology major/minor or the History major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST120Global History: The Making of the Modern World10 CP

    Modern History

  • POLS108The History and Politics of Secrecy 10 CP

    Modern History/Politics and International Relations Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the History major/minor or the Politics and International Relations major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • Part B.1.2 : 200 and 300-level discipline units

    Complete 20 to 30 credit points from the following:

  • HIST207Fall of the Roman Republic10 CP

    Ancient World

  • HIST208Fascism10 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST209Revolutionary Europe 1789-191710 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST214Immigrants and Refugees in Australian History10 CP

    Asian, Australian and Indigenous Histories

  • HIST215Europe Divided and United 1945-Present10 CP

    Modern History or Politics and International Relations Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the History major/minor or the Politics and International Relations major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST216Europe in the Middle Ages and Beyond10 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST222Greek City States10 CP

    Ancient World

  • HIST225US Foreign Policy Since 194510 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST229Rebels and Revolutions in Latin America10 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST230Life and Death in Pompeii10 CP

    Ancient History

  • HIST231Women in History10 CP

    Asian, Australian and Indigenous Histories

  • HIST240Ancient Israel: Empires and Exile10 CP

    Ancient World

  • HIST241Persians, Greeks and Romans: Cyrus to the Caesars10 CP

    Ancient history Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the Archaeology major/minor or the History major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST250Introduction to Philippines History and Culture10 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST251Human Rights in History10 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST253Underbelly Australia: Crime and Social History10 CP

    Asian, Australian and Indigenous Histories

  • HIST254History, Myth and Legend10 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST256War and Peace10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST257To Protect or Punish? Childhood and Youth in History10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST260Keep Calm and Carry on British History Since 190110 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST261The Rise of Asia in the Modern World10 CP

    Asian, Australian and Indigenous Histories

  • HIST262Money and Power in the Western World10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST263The Making of Modern America, 1865 to 194510 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST264From Truman to Trump the US Since 194510 CP

    Europe, Britain, and the Americas

  • HIST265Ancient Rome: Kingdom, Republic and Empire10 CP

    Ancient World

  • HIST266News Flash: History and the Media10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST267Diasporas and Journeys: Migration in World History10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST268Aboriginal and Torres Strait Communities: Sharing Histories of Australia10 CP

    Ancient World

  • HIST308Making History10 CP

    This unit may count as either a Modern or Ancient history unit for ITE students in NSW. Cross-listed unit. This unit may count in the Archaeology major/minor or the History major/minor. It may not be counted twice in a degree.

  • HIST327Settler Colonies in Indigenous Lands10 CP

    Aboriginal & Torres Strait Isalnder and World Indigenous Histories (Modern History)

  • HIST334Film and History10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST335The Global Spanish Empire: Conquest to Collapse10 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern

  • HIST336From Herod to Hadrian: The History and Archaeology of Roman Judaea10 CP
  • HIST341History and Memory: Uses and Abuses of the Past10 CP

    Modern History

  • HIST342A History of the Present10 CP

    Contemporary, Comparative and Applied History

  • HIST350Women in the Later Roman Empire10 CP

    Ancient History

  • HUMA207More than a Museum: Modern Rome10 CP

    Modern History

  • HUMA250Ancient Greek History and Drama10 CP

    Modern History

  • HUMA252Art, Politics and Society in Renaissance and Baroque Rome10 CP

    Medieval and Early Modern History

  • HUMA319Rome Field School: Landscapes Past and Present10 CP

    Modern and Ancient History

  • HUMA332Arts and Humanities Special Project10 CP

    *Restriction requirement for HUMA332. A quota applies to this unit. An application process applies for special projects on offer and academic merit will be considered. The student must have a GPA of at least 5.5 and be undertaking a major taught by the National School of Arts and Humanities (not including Mathematics and Design and Technology). Permission from the National Head of School is required prior to enrolling in this unit.

  • Part B.2 : Online courses (Employment Pathway)

    Part B.2.1 AND Part B.2.2

    Part B.2.1 : 100-level units

    Complete exactly 20 credit points from the following:

  • HIST105Early Modern Europe10 CP

    Recommended for students in NSW

  • HIST117K-POP into Korean History, Societies and Cultures10 CP
  • HIST120Global History: The Making of the Modern World10 CP
  • Part B.2.2 : 200 or 300-level units

    Complete exactly 20 credit points from the following:

  • HIST230Life and Death in Pompeii10 CP
  • HIST268Aboriginal and Torres Strait Communities: Sharing Histories of Australia10 CP
  • HIST308Making History10 CP
  • HIST341History and Memory: Uses and Abuses of the Past10 CP

All students taking the History Teaching Area in any degree must complete 20 points of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment units, as outlined below

Part C.1 OR Part C.2

    Part C.1 : Undergraduate CPA units

    Part C.1.1 AND Part C.1.2

    Part C.1.1 : Junior Secondary CPA unit

    Complete exactly 10 credit points from the following:

  • EDSS250Pedagogical Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (7 to 10)10 CP

    Required for all students

  • EDSS291Place-based Humanities and Social Science Pedagogies for Sustainable Futures10 CP

    Only for students with two Teaching Areas in Humanities and Social Science, where EDSS250 is already studied.

  • Part C.1.2 : Senior Secondary CPA unit

    Complete exactly 10 credit points from the following:

  • EDCU350Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment for Senior Studies 110 CP

    Study as part of the First Teaching Area

  • EDCU351Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment for Senior Studies 210 CP

    Study as part of the Second Teaching Area

  • EDCU352Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment for Senior Studies 310 CP

    Study as part of the Second Teaching Area

  • Part C.2 : Postgraduate CPA units

    Part C.2.1 AND Part C.2.2

    Part C.2.1 : Junior Secondary CPA unit

    Complete exactly 10 credit points from the following:

  • EDSS550Pedagogical Studies in Humanities and Social Science (7 to 10)10 CP

    Required for all students

  • EDSS551Place Based Humanities and Social Science Pedagogies for Sustainable Futures10 CP

    For students with two Teaching Areas in Humanities and Social Science, who have already studied EDSS550.

  • Part C.2.2 : Senior Secondary CPA unit

    Complete exactly 10 credit points from the following:

  • EDCU650Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment for Senior Studies 110 CP

    Study as part of the First Teaching Area

  • EDCU651Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment for Senior Studies 210 CP

    Study as part of the Second Teaching Area

  • EDCU652Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment for Senior Studies 310 CP

    Study as part of the Second Teaching Area

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