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Source 8.1. Curriculum approach extract from New syllabus history for sixth grade
(Dunlop & Palfrey, 1932b, n.p.).
Aligned with the type of history that views society as comprising ‘bad’ and ‘good’ deeds
within an overall discourse of progress, Gilbert as part of analysis of an instruction given to
school teachers by the Victorian Education Department in 1901 states:
Of course, the Department’s writers did not think it necessary to spell out what ‘good
and brave’ deeds were, or what might happen if patriotism led to tyranny, or why the
duties of the citizen were mentioned but their rights ignored. While Australian
democracy at the turn of the 20 th century was relatively progressive in areas like the
universal franchise, it was still able to promote class distinction and virulent forms of
racism. The cultural supremacy of white Australia and the trustworthiness of our
leaders were taken for granted, and obedience to God, Queen and country were seen
as equal moral absolutes. So was the role of schools in instilling these views into
students, and ensuring that they accepted their place and obligations in society
willingly. (2004, p. 10)
8.3.2 Black movement in Australia 1964-1975.
This era is characterised by type of mixture of traditional and progressive curriculum
approaches, present within the same curriculum documents. On the one hand there are clear
grand narratives presented to students, especially evident through the stories of Indigenous
peoples’ interactions with explorers; with the representations of actions of the Indigenous
peoples largely on the peripheral of history narratives. However, there is also a clear attempt
to engage with the students’ prior and background knowledge in order for students to
construct parts of their own learning. The following two extracts from Social studies for
Queensland schools grade 4 provide examples from both these approaches. The first is an
example of a traditional curriculum approach. This extract, along with an analysis is included
in Chapter 6: Black Movement in Australia 1964-1975.
During his journey down the river, Sturt met tribes of aborigines who
made their camps on the banks of the stream. He was always kind to the
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