CURRICULUM AIMS
The aims of Secondary 1-3 History curriculum are:
- to enhance and develop students’ interest in studying history;
- to help students understand the present in the context of the past;
- to enrich students’ knowledge of their own community and culture, as well as other major cultures of the world;
- to develop students’ historical skills and generic skills for further studies and life situations;
- to nurture students to become citizens who have global perspectives, knowledge and sense of responsibility.
The aims of Secondary 4-6 History are:
- to enable students to discover where they stand in the contemporary world through understanding the origins and development of modern events;
- to develop the skills of critical thinking, making sound judgments and effective communication through exploring historical issues; approach past and current events in an impartial and empathetic manner, using a variety of perspectives;
- to understand the characteristics and values of their own culture, and appreciate the shared humanity and common problems of the world’s many peoples;
- to cultivate both national consciousness and the consciousness of being citizens of the global community, and thus become rational and sensible members of the local community, the nation, and the world; and be prepared to explore in greater depth an issue of personal interest, or one that may be of relevance to their future careers and professional studies.
SYLLABUS
Junior Forms (2 periods per cycle)
S1 The ancient world (From pre-historic period to the 14th century): The birth and interactions of regional civilisations | Topic 1: Human Needs: Past and Present Topic 2: The Development of European Civilisation Topic 3: The Rise of Islamic Civilisation and cultural interactions between Europe and Asia in medieval times Topic 4: History, culture and heritage of early Hong Kong region |
S2 The modern world (From 15th to 19th centuries): The growth and expansion of the West | Topic 5: The Rise of modern Europe Topic 6: European colonial expansion Topic 7: The founding and development of the United States Topic 8: Growth and development of Hong Kong up to the late 19th century |
S3 The contemporary world (From the 20th century to the present): Moving towards a multi-polar and interdependent world | Topic 9: International conflicts and crises in the 20th century (I) – The two World Wars Topic 10: International conflicts and crises in the 20th century (II) – the Cold War and the Post-Cold War period |
Senior Forms (6 periods per cycle)
S4 Modern Times (20th century) | Conflicts and Cooperation in the Twentieth-Century World Sub-themes: Major conflicts and the quest for peace The two world wars and the peace settlements Major conflicts after WWII and attempts to make peace The quest for cooperation and prosperity International economic cooperation |
S5 Modern Times (20th century) | Conflicts and Cooperation in the Twentieth-Century World Sub-themes: The quest for cooperation and prosperity International social and cultural cooperation Modernisation and Transformation in Twentieth-Century Asia Sub-themes: Modernisation and transformation of Japan and Southeast Asia Modernisation and transformation of China |
S6 Modern Times (20th century) | Modernisation and Transformation in Twentieth-Century Asia Sub-themes: Modernisation and transformation of Hong Kong |
ASSESSMENT DESIGN
LEVEL | COMPONENT | Part | DURATION |
S1 | 2 Organised Tests (20% of the term results) | First and Second Organised Tests | 45 mins |
Interim / Final Exam (80% of the term results) | Interim Examination & Final Examination (with bonus question and continuous assessment) | 1 hour | |
S2 | 2 Organised Tests (20% of the term results) | First and Second Organised Tests | 45 mins |
Interim / Final Exam (80% of the term results) | Interim Examination & Final Examination (with bonus question and continuous assessment) | 1 hour | |
S3 | 2 Organised Tests (20% of the term results) | First and Second Organised Tests | 45 mins |
Interim / Final Exam (80% of the term results) | Interim Examination & Final Examination (with bonus question and continuous assessment) | 1 hour | |
S4 | Interim / Final Exam (80% of the term results) Continuous Assessment (20% of the term results) | Data-based Questions & Essay-typed Questions (80%) Continuous Assessment (20%) | 2 hours |
S5 | Interim / Final Exam (80% of the term results) Continuous Assessment (20% of the term results) | Paper 1 Data-based Questions (50%) Paper 2 Essay-typed Questions (30%) Continuous Assessment (20%) | Paper 1: 2 hours Paper 2: Interim exam: 45 mins Final Exam: 1 hour 30 mins |
S6 | Mock Examination (100% of the subject mark) | Paper 1 Data-based Questions (60 %) Paper 2 Essay-typed Questions (40%) | Paper 1: 2 hours Paper 2: 1 hour 30 mins |
Continuous Assessment:
S1 to S3
For S1 to S3 students, they need to complete various tasks (e.g. learning tasks, Moodle revision quizzes, and assignments) that count for 15% of the Interim and Final Examination result.
S4 to S5
For S4 to S5 students, their daily performance (e.g. assignments, presentation, debate, etc.) and Uniform Tests count for 20% of the Interim and Final Examinations result.