2017 School Magazine

JUNIOR HISTORY Over the past two years that I have been studying Junior History, my view on our world has greatly changed. History has provided me with the chance to learn eye-opening information about things I never would have thought to investigate on my own. When I first learned about how our modern world was shaped by the Industrial Revolution, I discovered that history was more than just learning about specific dates or writing long essays. History at Brisbane Girls Grammar School tests in creative ways to expand both our knowledge and skills. For example, in Year 9 we take part in a mock trial of King Louis XVI for our assessment. The trial involves taking on a role, dressing up in character and presenting a case as to whether Louis XVI was guilty or not of treason against the French nation. This was one of the highlights of my Junior History experience as I not only learnt about a very important historic event but it brought history to life for me. History is a subject that all students can achieve in and learn from. TOMRIS ERCAN (10H)

MODERN HISTORY

Senior Modern History is one of the most fulfilling and worthwhile subjects I’ve taken, culminating in a deep and thoughtful understanding of our complex world. Throughout Year 11 we established the pervading role of ideologies in the modern world, applying this knowledge to a study of the Cold War and an independent, self-directed study of Nazi Germany. The power of the individual was investigated through a study of Dr Martin Luther King Jr and our own twentieth century ‘great’. Using this as a spring-board for our scholarship this year, we focused on both Studies of Conflict and Studies of Hope, concluding in two self-directed research tasks and an in-depth study of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Each topic has gifted students’ rare insights into the power of ideas as a catalyst for change, enabling a broader understanding of our world. The knowledge and skills attained through critical inquiry, verbal and non-verbal communication and in-class discussions has made Modern History an incredibly rewarding and enthralling subject. ISABELLA MATHIOU (12G)

ANCIENT HISTORY

Imperial Period, in which the use and abuse of all forms of power was researched. We then progressed onto the Middle Ages by investigating the Crusades. Not only were the Crusades conceptually intriguing, but I was fascinated by their contribution to the development of many aspects of modern thought which are especially pertinent today, such as Just War Theory and the Western idea of Islam. We then rounded off our year of study with an exploration of the roles of women in Ancient China. Studying Ancient History exposed me to vastly unique topics that stimulated in-depth thought, engaging class discussions and a deeper level of understanding of where we have come from. For me, it is the continual search for understanding, the appreciation of humanity, and the threads, however thin, that connect the ancients and us that will never cease to interest me. XUAN-NGHI PHAM (12O)

Ancient History has been, without a doubt, the most fascinating, enriching and rewarding subject that I have undertaken in Year 12. My interest in Ancient History stemmed primarily from my wish to understand the origins of our modern world and how the ancients — people whose thoughts, customs and actions are often incomprehensible to the twenty-first century mind — fit into this narrative. The answers to my questions were found in the topics studied this year. We first delved into the social, religious and political culture of Ancient Rome, honing in on the life of Julius Caesar and his role in the collapse of the Roman Republic. Each of us, presented with a plethora of ancient sources to analyse and evaluate, were at liberty to formulate individual arguments regarding the extent of Caesar’s responsibility in the Republic’s demise. Following this, our studies in Ancient Rome advanced into the Roman

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