Assessment Task | Stage 4 | Year 8 History
Japan under the Shoguns Assessment Task
Syllabus link: Stage 4
Ancient to the Modern World (Depth Study 5: The Asia-Pacific World)
Context for the task: Students have been studying Feudal Japan under the Shoguns. Students have explored examples of
computer games and films during the unit of work and will now be given a chance to assess these texts in relation to the historical
content they have studied.
Outcomes to be assessed:
HT4-2: describes major periods of historical time and sequences events, people and societies from the past
HT 4-6: uses evidence from sources to support historical narratives and explanations.
HT 4-7: identifies and describes different contexts, perspectives and interpretations of the past.
HT 4-9: uses a range of historical terms and concepts when communicating an understanding of the past.
HT 4-10: selects and uses appropriate oral, written, visual and digital forms to communicate about the past.
Historical skills required:
Analysis and use of sources
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locate, select and use information from a range of sources as evidence.

draw conclusions about the usefulness of sources.
Empathetic understanding

interpret history within the context of the actions, attitudes and motives of people in the context of the past.
Research
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ask a range of questions about the past to inform an historical inquiry.
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identify and locate a range of relevant sources, using ICT and other methods.
Explanation and communication
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develop historical texts, particularly explanations and historical arguments that use evidence from a range of sources.

select and use a range of communication forms (oral, graphic, written and digital) to communicate effectively about the past.
The Rubric:
In your answers you will be assessed on how well you:
•
Demonstrate understanding of Feudal Japan and sequence events and people from this time period
•
Use evidence from the sources to support your understanding of the historical narrative of Feudal Japan.
•
Identify and describe different contexts, perspectives and interpretations of Feudal Japan.
•
Communicate ideas and information using a range of historical terms and concepts appropriately.
•
Select and use appropriate written, visual and digital forms to communicate about Feudal Japan
Weighting:
Out of:
Date Issued:
Due Date:
/25
This assessment task was written by Marco Scali, Newington College. Copyright © of the unit of work is owned by AISNSW.
NSW syllabus content prepared by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW for and on behalf of the
State of New South Wales is protected by Crown copyright.
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Assessment Advice:
In order to undertake this task you will need to:

Conduct research into the history of Feudal Japan.

Engage closely with a visual source (computer game or film) assessing it for its historical accuracy.

Draw conclusions on the usefulness of a particular visual source to an historian studying Feudal Japan.
The Task:
Use the information you have gained in class, and the further research you have conducted on Feudal Japan, to closely analyse a
computer game OR film. Your goal is to measure the historical accuracy of your selected text. The task will be marked out of 25.
The texts you can choose from are the following (Choose ONE):
Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa
Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties
Shogun: Total War or Shogun 2: Total War
Your critical analysis must address these THREE questions:

What time period of Japanese history is your computer game or film set in? Provide a brief summary of the major historical
people and events of this period. (200-300 words) - 5 MARKS

How historically accurate or inaccurate is your computer game or film? Discuss specific examples from your computer game or
film. (300-400 words ) - 10 MARKS

What are the strengths and weaknesses of computer games OR films for people who wish to gain an understanding of the
past? Did it help you gain a better understanding of Feudal Japan? (300-400 words) - 10 MARKS
Your assignment MUST follow these guidelines:

Be typed, using 14 point font, with 1.5 line spacing.

Be a maximum of 1,100 words.

Address ALL THREE questions starting each question on a new page with the question placed clearly on top of the page.

Include a bibliography of references used in question 1.
This assessment task was written by Marco Scali, Newington College. Copyright © of the unit of work is owned by AISNSW.
NSW syllabus content prepared by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW for and on behalf of the
State of New South Wales is protected by Crown copyright.
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