Professional Learning

The Asia-Pacific World – Angkor/Khmer Empire

Angkor Wat

Focus: Year 8 Depth Study: The Asia-Pacific World – Angkor/Khmer Empire (c.802 – c.1431 CE)

Topic: The decline of Angkor society in the 13th and 14th centuries CE

Relevance: The ability to manipulate the flow of water was an integral part of the Angkor/Khmer Empire. Students investigate the effect environmental change had on ancient water management systems, and the extent to which this may have helped bring about the decline of the empire. This could be both in regard to human actions such as deforestation and the impact of environmental changes such as drought.

Going further: Students compare and contrast the impact environmental change and human actions have had on other ancient civilisations, and the ways in which societies responded to these factors.

Overview of the modern world and Australia – The Vietnam War

Napalm Girl & Nick Ut

Focus: Year 10 Overview of the modern world and Australia - The Vietnam War

Topic: The influence of photographic evidence

Relevance: Students examine Nick Ut’s Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of Kim Phuc taken following the accidental napalm attack on Trang Bang by the South Vietnamese Army on June 6th, 1972. They investigate  the effects of this photograph (primary source evidence) on perceptions of, and responses to war both then and now.

Going further: Students investigate the series of photographs Nick Ut took outside of Trang Bang on June 6th, 1972 and discuss why this photo (and not others in this set) received the Pulitzer prize.

Resource to assist: 1972 Napalm Girl Photo, Photographer Nick Ut