a.+Rationale

 RATIONALE **Relevance ** The decline and fall of the Romanov Dynasty serves as an interesting and engaging introduction for senior Modern History students. Students are introduced to historical concepts such as autocracy, industrialisation and socialism that can be applied to other topics in the senior syllabus. The case study can be linked to the core study, World War I 1914-1919, specifically the impacts of the Russian withdrawal as a turning point. It can also serve as an introduction to National Studies - Russia and the Soviet Union 1917-1941 and option F, The Cold War 1945-1991 in the International Studies in Peace and Conflict component of the course. **Engagement Factor ** The case study has the elements for an engaging experience for all students. Oppressed people, war, revolution, a mysterious monk and the murder mystery surrounding the Romanov family hold endless opportunities for investigation and discussion. **Level of Difficulty ** A range of activities has been designed to cater for the diverse needs of senior history students. Some of the concepts and events require sound historical skills, however a constructivist approach will ensure that students can learn and develop their understanding at their own pace. **Prior knowledge ** For the majority of students, the content will be unfamiliar, however the historical skills developed in junior years will be instrumental to student understanding. Source analysis, research, communication skills and empathetic understanding are further enhanced to allow students to critically analyse the events surrounding the case study.