Humanities
Head of Department - Mr Bruce Galletly
Year 10
All Year 10 students study the subject Humanities which is divided into units of History, Geography, Legal Studies and Economics. The course has been planned to provide students with a background in each of these disciplines which may be selected as separate Humanities subjects in Years 11 and 12.
In Humanities, students are exposed to a range of Information Communication Technologies as part of the teaching and learning process.
Year 11 and 12
Modern History
Background
Through the study of Modern History, we can understand why our modern world is the way it is. We can understand the processes of change and continuity that have shaped today’s world, their causes, and the roles people have played in those processes. We can understand that there are relationships between our needs and interests and a range of historical processes of critical inquiry, debate and reflection, and through empathetic engagement with the standpoint of others.
Through studying Modern History, students will:
• understand that history is an interpretive, explanatory discipline
• become proficient in the processes of historical enquiry and explanation
• understand the forces and influences that have shaped the modern world
• critically evaluate heritages and traditions
• investigate the role of values in history, and refine their own values commitment
• value the study of history
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this subject. However, as the study of Modern History involves a significant amount of reading, writing and research, students without reasonable skills in these areas may experience difficulties with the subject.
Course Outline
Themes Inquiry Topics
Studies of Conflict
- 20th Century Ideologies
- The Cold War
- Nationalism: Former Yugoslavia/East Timor/Pacific Islands
Studies of Power
- What Makes a Powerful Person Powerful?
- Powerful Northern Neighbours: China and/or Indonesia
Studies of Diversity
- Race Relations: South Africa and the United States
- Australia: Immigration, Refugees & Multiculturalism
Studies of Hope
- Middle East / Northern Ireland
- Cooperative human activity bringing hope
- Changing Role of Women
Exit Criteria
• Planning and using an historical research process
• Forming historical knowledge through critical inquiry
• Communicating historical knowledge
Career Options
History students develop skills in written expression, analysis and interpretation which make them candidates for a wide range of careers in:
| Administration | Librarianship | Archives | Retailing |
| Public Relations | Publishing | Advertising | Law |
| Teaching | Anthropology | Fine Art | Politics |
| Museum work | Psychology | Diplomatic Service |
Geography
Background
Geography is the study of the variable character of the earth’s surface; of man’s interaction with the earth as the home of people. Geographical studies range through an investigation of the physical environment to studies of one’s own and other societies and focus on spatial and ecological concepts. The discipline of Geography has thus a unique integrating function within the general framework of human knowledge.
Through studies of Geography, students will be able to:
• search for, recognise and understand the patterns and processes of the way phenomena are arranged on the earth’s surface
• develop practical skills by which data may be obtained, analysed and presented
• appreciate the beauty and character of the landscape
• develop an empathy for other cultures and lifestyles through the understanding of their environmental settings
• become involved members of the community in which they live
Course Outline
The four themes and core units offered in senior Geography are:
Theme 1: Managing the Natural Environment
• Focus Unit 1: Responding to natural hazards
• Focus Unit 2: Managing catchments
Theme 2: Social Environments
• Focus Unit 3: Sustaining communities
• Focus Unit 4: Connecting people and places
Theme 3: Resources and the Environment
• Focus Unit 5: Living with climate change
• Focus Unit 6: Sustaining biodiversity
Theme 4: People and Development
• Focus Unit 7: Feeding the world’s people
• Focus Unit 8: Exploring the geography of disease
Exit Criteria
1. Knowledge
2. Analytical Processes
3. Decision-Making Processes
4. Research and Communication Skills
Career Options
After Year 12 a student may wish to pursue Geography at higher levels at a University or TAFE. Geographers are employed by both private enterprise and all levels of government. General areas where they may find
employment are:
• Cartography (map making)
• Urban and Regional Planning
• Environmental Conservation (National Parks/Fisheries/Wildlife sections)
• Tourism and Recreation Research and Planning
• Social Planning and Community Development
• Teaching
• Meteorology
• C.S.I.R.O. (Land Use Research Division)
• Armed Forces.
• Public Service eg Department of Primary Industries
• Land Care Agencies
• Natural Resource Management (soil quality, water quality etc)
Legal Studies
Background
Many significant legal and social issues face individuals and groups in Australian society. To deal with these issues, people need to be able to investigate and understand the Australian legal system and how it affects their basic rights, obligations and responsibilities. Informed citizens are better able to constructively question and contribute to improvement of laws and legal processes.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this subject. However, it is recommended that students have a satisfactory level of language skills as the study of law involves a substantial amount of reading, research, interpretation and writing.
Course Outline
Year 11
• The Legal System
• Crime and Society
• Civil Obligations
Year 12
• You, the law and society - 2 topics from:
Renting and Buying, Family, Jobs, Sport, Environment, Consumers,
Technology, Rights and Responsibilities
• Independent study
• Law in a changing society
Exit Criteria
• Knowledge and Understanding - Ability to retrieve and comprehend information
• Investigation - Ability to examine legal situations and issues
• Evaluation - Ability to critically review the law’s attempts to achieve just, fair and equitable outcomes to issues
• Communication & Research Skills - Ability to select, organise and present information
Career Options
| Accountant | Economics | Politics |
| Barrister | Finance | Self-employment |
| Business and Administration | Government | Social Worker |
| Conveyor | International Business | Solicitor |
| Diplomatic Service | Legal Secretary | Teaching |
Economics
Background
Economics in Years 11 and 12 should be regarded as a subject which is challenging and interesting to all students. The extensive media coverage of economic issues, problems and events has, in recent years, highlighted the need for increased community awareness of the economic environment in which we live and the economic forces that act upon our lives. This increased media focus has fostered a growing public perception of the relevance of Economics and of the impact of economic decision making.
This course of study stresses the desirability of having students understand the significance of economic events as well as the implications of individual, business and government decision making. In emphasizing the application of economic skills and concepts to the problems and issues facing Australian society, senior students should gain the skills and competence to effectively participate in and contribute to economic decision making. These skills are acquired through a process of inquiry by which students develop economic literacy i.e. the skills of communication required to comprehend, analyse and evaluate economic data and to report findings on and propose solutions for a range of increasingly economic issues.
Studies in Economics thus provide students with knowledge and skills which are both relevant for living in contemporary society and useful for a range of employment in commerce and industry. Senior Economics also lays the foundation for further study in the discipline and in related business studies at tertiary institutions.
Prerequisites
There are no subject prerequisites. However, as a study of Economics involves a significant amount of reading, writing, logical analysis and computation, students who lack basic language and numeracy skills will have difficulty with the subject.
Course Outline
There is one core and one elective topic studied each semester of the two year course:
Semester Core Topic Elective Topic
1. Markets and Models Personal economics
2. Contemporary micro-economic issues Share market
3. Contemporary micro-economic management Income and wealth distribution
4. International economics Globilisation and trade
As well, 4 to 6 elective topics will be studied over the 2 years from the following: Population, Personal Economics, Economics of Industry, Economics of Technology Change, Environmental Economics, Business Concentration, Economics of Government, Evolution of Economic Ideas, Distribution of Income and Wealth, Income and Expenditure Analysis, Market, Finance, Economic Systems, Development Economics, Economics of Trade and Economic Globalisation.
Exit Criteria
The criteria by which a student will be evaluated on completion of the Economics course are:
• Knowledge and Understanding
• Investigation
• Synthesis and Evaluation
Career Options
| Business | Politics | Government |
| Self-Employment | International Trade | Marketing |
| Administration | Diplomatic Services | Teaching |
| Law | Agriculture | Accounting |
| Tourism | Welfare & Community Service | Finance |
