Length: Full Year

Recommended background: Satisfactory completion of Year 7 Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

Content:

This learning area involves the study of how the life experiences of individuals and groups are shaped by particular social, cultural, religious, historical systems and structures. Using inquiry learning and other processes, students are encouraged to understand and critically challenge ideas, in order to participate positively and effectively in their school community.

The Humanities and Social Sciences course is a full year and includes elements of History, Geography, Civics & Citizenship and Business Education:

• History: A depth study of either Medieval Europe, Vikings, Renaissance Italy, The Ottoman Empire, or The Western & Islamic World; a focus on the Asian-Pacific world with a study of either Angkor/Khmer Empire, Shogun Japan or the Polynesian Expansion; and a study of either the Mongolian expansion, the Black Death, or the Spanish conquest of the Americas.
• Geography: Landforms & landscapes and the impact of urbanisation and megacities.
• Civics & Citizenship: Laws, democracies, freedoms & responsibilities for citizens and national identity.
• Business Education: Consumer rights and responsibilities, markets and government involvement and the impacts work.

To complement their studies, students can be involved with extension projects, local fieldwork, excursions and competitions.

Assessment:

Students’ performance will be determined according to the subject’s Achievement Standards as outlined in the framework of the Australian Curriculum. Grades A to E will be used for reporting purposes. This includes assessment of achievement in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating.