Unit outline_

EDSE3125: Teaching History 1

Semester 1b, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This is the first unit of study in a suite of history curriculum units. In this unit, students will consider how discipline knowledge is organised, taught, and experienced across the secondary school years. The unit will emphasise the integration of knowledge within and across the discipline and curriculum area of History and consider the role teachers play in facilitating pedagogy that scaffolds subject learning and connects to students' lives. This unit will provide students with the practical and theory-informed knowledge required to respond to the needs of diverse learners in history.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
72 credit points including (EDSE2010 or EDHP2001) and 12 credit points at 2000 level from Ancient History or History
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
EDSE3040
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Yeow Tong Chia, yeowtong.chia@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 May 2026
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written work Essay
Understandings, influences and practice
50% Week 09
Due date: 01 May 2026 at 23:59
2000 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Written work Lesson Plans
Devising a sequence of four lesson plans
50% Week 13
Due date: 31 May 2026 at 23:59
2500 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Assessment Task 1: Students are requested to either a) write an essay discussing the perceived tension between popular/public and academic history, or 2) do an mini original historical investigation.

Assessment Task 2: Devising a sequence of 4 lesson plans.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Consultation as required One-on-one supervision meeting (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Making history teachers, and introduction to historical thinking Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Why teach history? Tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Historical Thinking II Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Syllabus mapping Tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Framing history teaching and learning: planning and programming Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Introduction to lesson planning in history Tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Assessing history teaching and learning Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Framing history teaching and learning: programming and assessment Tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 11 Why teach history? Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5
Cause and effect Tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 12 Developing historical empathy Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO5
Historical empathy Tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Using film and other media in history Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Using film and other media in history Tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Articulate the importance of curriculum and discipline knowledge in the lives of their future students.
  • LO2. Use curriculum and discipline content, strategies and resources to plan and implement activities for use in a range of contemporary education settings.
  • LO3. Select and design quality resources to develop a professional portfolio.
  • LO4. Demonstrate knowledge of teaching and learning strategies in discipline and curriculum areas that meet the diverse needs of students.
  • LO5. Demonstrate a research-based approach to teaching based on a critical analysis of curriculum- related documents.
  • LO6. Engage in collaborative professional practice with peers and colleagues.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time that this unit code is offered. We welcome your feedback at any point on this unit.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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