History

History is the study of change and development in society over time. The study of history enables us to understand how past human action affects the present and influences our future, and it allows us to evaluate these effects. So, history is about learning how to think about the past, which affects the present, in a disciplined way. History is a process of enquiry. Therefore, it is about asking questions of the past: What happened? When did it happen? Why did it happen then? What were the short-term and long-term results? It involves thinking critically about the stories people tell us about the past, as well as the stories that we tell ourselves.

The study of history also supports citizenship within a democracy by:

• upholding the values of the South African Constitution and helping people to understand those values;
• reflecting the perspectives of a broad social spectrum so that race, class, gender and the voices of ordinary people are represented;
• encouraging civic responsibility and responsible leadership, including raising current social and environmental concerns;
• promoting human rights and peace by challenging prejudices that involve race, class, gender, ethnicity and xenophobia; and
• preparing young people for local, regional, national, continental and global responsibility.

Grade 10 - 12