Humanities
Humanities
Welcome to the exciting world of Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) at our College! As the Head of Department, I am thrilled to introduce you to the rich tapestry of history, geography, civics, and economics we offer for Years 7-10.
HASS is more than just a collection of dates and events; it’s a journey into the stories that shape our world. From the ancient civilisations that laid the foundations of modern society, to the dynamic changes of contemporary times, studying history helps us understand the forces that influence our lives today. Geography will take students beyond the map to explore the physical and human processes that shape our environment and societies. Civics and Citizenship will empower our students with knowledge about our political and legal systems, while Economics and Business will introduce our young people to the fundamentals of how societies use resources.
Our curriculum is designed to be engaging and thought-provoking, encouraging you to think critically about the past and present. Students will delve into fascinating case studies, participate in interactive projects, and develop skills that are vital for the 21st century, such as critical thinking, analysis, and informed decision-making.
I am confident that our students’ journey through HASS will be both educational and inspiring, igniting a lifelong curiosity about the world and their place in it. Welcome aboard!
Year 7 HASS
In Year 7, students study Civics, History, Geography, and Economics & Business. In Civics, they learn about democracy, individual rights, justice, and community cohesion. In Economics & Business, they explore decision-making, types of businesses, entrepreneurial success, and work methods. Geography covers water's impact on places and liveability. History units focus on historical context, continuity, change, and themes, including archaeological and historical terms and cultural representations of time.
Year 8 History
The Year 8 students study Viking Expansion, Medieval Europe, and Shogunate Japan, focusing on the end of the ancient world, religion, feudalism, trade, discovery, cultural contacts, and significant ideas shaping the early modern world.
Year 9 History
The Year 9 curriculum covers the history from 1750 to 1918, including the Industrial Revolution, nationalism, imperialism, European expansion, and World War I. Key units are the Industrial Revolution, Making Australia, and World War I.
Year 10 History
The Year 10 students study the history from 1918 to the present, focusing on Australia's development in a global context, political turmoil, global conflict, international cooperation, and First Nations Australians' rights. Key units are World War II, Building Modern Australia, and The Globalising World.
Electives
Geography
Year 8: The curriculum includes 'Landforms and Landscapes,' focusing on landform processes, cultural values, hazards, and sustainability, and 'Changing Nations,' focusing on urbanisation, migration, and sustainability of urban areas.
Year 9: Students study 'Biomes and Food Security,' focusing on biomes, food production, and environmental challenges, and 'Geographies of Interconnections,' focusing on global connections, tourism, trade, and their impacts.
Year 10: The curriculum includes 'Environmental Change and Management,' focusing on environmental sustainability and management strategies, and 'Geographies of Human Wellbeing,' focusing on global, national, and local differences in human wellbeing and programs to reduce these gaps.
Legal Studies
Year 7: Students explore human rights, building a critical understanding of rights and responsibilities.
Year 8: The curriculum includes Economics & Business and Civics, focusing on political participation, elections, law-making, resource allocation, market adaptation, taxation, and financial decision-making.
Year 9: Students study Australia's federal system, court system, global connectedness, legal arguments, and the impact of technology and social media on legal and social change.
Year 10: The curriculum includes a comparison of Australia's government with another in Asia, Australia's international roles, the High Court, rights protection, democratic values, crime and society, deviance, social behaviour, and international law.
Ancient History
Year 10: Ancient History enables students to study life in early civilisations based on the analysis and interpretation of physical and written remains. The ancient period extends from the development of early human communities to the end of late antiquity AD 650, with a particular focus on the ancient societies of Europe, the Near East and Asia. Students explore Australian archaeological sites, ancient societies in Asia and the Americas, before investigating The Crusades and the two power dynamics on each side.
Business and Economics
Year 8: The curriculum includes Economics & Business and Civics, focusing on political participation, elections, law-making, resource allocation, market adaptation, taxation, and financial decision-making.
Year 9: Students investigate Australia's role in the global economy, trade with Asia, resource allocation, competitive advantage, financial risks and rewards, and the influence of the financial sector on economic decision-making.
Year 10: The curriculum covers factors influencing individual, financial, and economic decision-making, government economic management, business responses to economic conditions, productivity, workforce management, superannuation, and financial wellbeing.