Year 9 Humanities

Core Humanities

The Year 9 Humanities course integrates the disciplines of History, Geography, Civics & Citizenship, and Economics & Business within an examination of topic-based units. In year 9 these units position students to contend with real-world current issues by exploring the relationship these issues have with history. For example, students explore the concept of ‘working conditions’ through analysing and comparing aspects of working life during the industrial revolution with aspects of working life today. Each topic area incorporates elements of the four key subject areas within the broader Humanities umbrella: Civics, History, Economics and Geography. Through this study, students develop their abilities in acquiring, processing, and communicating information from a variety of data sources and via a range of presentation formats. They learn to evaluate patterns and connections within and between societies and places, and across time. Students synthesise information from a range of sources to produce original responses that use appropriate conventions.    

Semester 1  

Fast Fashion  

Students research the historical origins of factory production as it relates to the textiles and garment industry, and trace those influences to the modern-day Fast Fashion production model. They examine the reasons why businesses choose to offshore the manufacturing of clothing, and how this affects the communities where production takes place, such as Dhaka in Bangladesh. Students compare the working conditions of the textiles industry in the past and present, and between developed and developing countries. They discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of child labour, the lack of protections for workers in the developed world, and the choice of businesses to exploit these conditions for profit. Students suggest ways that consumers can make more environmentally sustainable and ethical clothing choices in the future.   

Future Food  

Students research the ways that humans have modified biomes for the purpose of food production and the impacts of these changes. They examine the historical origins of modern agricultural practices, including the introduction of enclosures and selective breeding during the Agricultural Revolution of 17th century Britain, and the use of chemical fertilisers during the Green Revolution in the 1940s. They investigate threats to the food security of current and future populations, such as climate change, conflict, and land degradation, and research strategies for addressing these. Students reflect on the impact that the increasing adoption of a meat-based diet has on the environment and investigate suggested alternatives designed to support an ever-growing global population.    

Semester 2 

Racism – Past & Present  

Students consider the European settlement of Australia and the clash of cultures that occurred between the British and the Aboriginal tribes of the frontiers. They examine events such as the Myall Creek massacre and discuss the different perspectives that were held at the time. They research the experiences of the Chinese on the Australian goldfields and examine how concerns regarding immigration motivated federation. Students research the Stolen Generations, the White Australia Policy, and the transition to a policy of multiculturalism. They examine how the echoes of the past still resonate today and make connections to modern-day instances of racism in Australia and elsewhere.    

The Holocaust  

Students study the Holocaust as a defining event in the 20th Century. Students recognise the short- and long-term causes and effects of prejudice, discrimination and, ultimately, genocide. They develop their capacity and willingness to be informed and active citizens. Students learn about the dangers of hatred and discrimination in the Holocaust as important lessons to fight intolerance and prejudice in today’s world. Students explore and inspire with stories of courage and adversity, upstander behaviour and resilience. They build an understanding of, and value, a diverse and cohesive society.   

History 

 Students will learn to: 

• Sequence significant events in chronological order to support analysis of the causes and effects of these events and identify the changes they brought about.  
• Analyse and corroborate sources and evaluate their accuracy, usefulness and reliability.  
• Identify and evaluate patterns of continuity and change in the development of the modern world and Australia.   
• Analyse the long-term causes, short-term triggers and the intended and unintended effects of significant events and developments.   
• Evaluate the historical significance of an event, idea, individual or place.   

Geography 

 Students will learn to: 

• Identify, analyse and explain significant spatial distributions and patterns and identify and evaluate their implications, over time and at different scales   
• Identify, analyse and explain significant interconnections within places and between places over time and at different scales, and evaluate the resulting changes and further consequences.   
• Collect and record relevant geographical data and information, using ethical protocols, from reliable and useful primary and secondary sources.   
• Select, organise and represent data and information in different forms, including by constructing special purpose maps that conform to cartographic conventions, using digital and spatial technologies as appropriate.   
• Analyse and evaluate data, maps and other geographical information using digital and spatial technologies.   

 Ethical Capabilities 

 Students will learn to: 

• Develop the knowledge, skills and understandings to analyse and evaluate ethical problems and their resolution, and to identify and manage contestability in ethical matters.  
• Reflect on whether there are ethical concepts and principles common across people, groups and cultures.   

The Law and You 

 Building on prior knowledge about government and democracy in Australia, students will develop the skills necessary to become active and informed citizens within a parliamentary democracy. Through the lens of a current community issue, students will learn how to enact positive change in society via the processes of effective decision-making and critical thinking. As part of this, students will learn how to effectively voice their opinions in society by developing a creative campaign on their chosen issue. Students will also explore the operation of a range of legal institutions, such as parliament, the courts and the police. Through developing a comprehensive understanding of such institutions, students will be able to recognise how the law applies to everyday people.    

Government and Democracy  

Students will learn to: 

• Discuss the freedoms that enable active participation in Australia's democracy within the bounds of the law, including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement   
• Explain how citizens can participate in Australia's democracy, including the use of the electoral system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups, interest groups and direct action   
• Discuss the role of political parties and independent representatives in Australia’s system of government, including the formation of governments, and explain the process through which government policy is shaped and developed   
• Analyse how citizens’ political choices are shaped, including the influence of the media   

 Laws and Citizens   

Students will learn to: 

• Describe the key features of Australia’s court system, including jurisdictions and how courts apply and interpret the law, resolve disputes and make law through judgments.    
• Explain how and why laws are enforced and describe the roles and responsibilities of key personnel in law enforcement, and in the legal system . 
• Identify how values can promote cohesion within Australian society, including the values of freedom, respect, inclusion, civility, responsibility, compassion, equality and a ‘fair go’   

A Current Affair  

A Current Affair aims to provide students freedom and space to explore an issue of their own choosing in detail. This inquiry-based subject focuses on teaching and nurturing skills in research and inquiry whilst providing choice to students with regards to content. Students will be introduced to a range of social, cultural, political and environmental issues that are currently making the news. Students will develop their critical thinking and independent research skills by selecting an issue of their choice to investigate in depth. Students will develop an exploration of the social/historical context of the issue as well as examine different perspectives on the issue. Students will also learn how to evaluate the proposed solutions/responses to their issue. Possible issues for investigation include gender inequality, the climate crisis, the rise of religious fundamentalism, terrorism, Australia’s border protection policy, and domestic violence. This subject draws from concepts and skills from both Civics and Citizenship and History elements of the curriculum.  

Historical Concepts & Skills    

Students will learn to: 

• Analyse and corroborate sources and evaluate their accuracy, usefulness and reliability.   
• Analyse the different perspectives of people and evaluate how these perspectives are influenced by significant events, ideas, location, beliefs and values.   
• Evaluate different historical interpretations and contested debates.   
• Analyse the long-term causes, short-term triggers and the intended and unintended effects of significant events and developments.   

 Civics & Citizenship  

Students will learn to: 

• Explain how Australia’s international legal obligations shape Australian law and government policies, including in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.   
• Analyse contemporary examples and issues relating to Australian democracy and global connections, including key aspects of citizenship in a pluralist society.   
• Discuss challenges to and ways of sustaining a resilient democracy and cohesive society.   
• Examine the influence of a range of media, including social media, in shaping identities and attitudes to diversity and how ideas about Australian identity may be influenced by global events.   

History Mysteries 

 Human history is filled with unknowns and in this subject, students will use the historical skills they learn in class to try and develop a theory about some of our world’s most famous (and infamous) mysteries. Drawing primarily on the historical skill of source analysis, students will piece together pieces of evidence to try and form a working theory that explains the unexplained. Students will also need to explore historical perspectives and contexts to better understand the possible motivations or causes or some of these historically significant mysteries. Attempted assassinations, brazen mid-flight robberies, lost cities and eerie disappearances – students will be able to choose from a selection of well-known mysteries to develop their skills in source analysis and evidence use. This subject draws on the History component of the Victorian Curriculum, focusing on skills that will support students seeking to move into senior elective and VCE History subjects. 

Historical Sources as Evidence  

Students will learn to: 

• Analyse and corroborate sources and evaluate their accuracy, usefulness and reliability  
• Analyse the different perspectives of people in the past and evaluate how these perspectives are influenced by significant events, ideas, location, beliefs and values. 
• Evaluate different historical interpretations and contested debates. 

Cause and Effect + Continuity and Change  

Students will learn to: 

• Analyse and evaluate the broad patterns of change over the period 1750–present. 
• Analyse the long term causes, short term triggers and the intended and unintended effects of significant events and developments. 

 Philosophy 

 Philosophy is the study of fundamental elements of humanity like truth, morality, knowledge and existence. It takes its name from the Greek for ‘love of wisdom’ and explores complex aspects of our daily lives in ways that are unique from other classroom environments. In Philosophy students will discuss concepts like ‘reality’ and ‘existence’ as they develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This Year 9 Philosophy elective is based on the Victorian Curriculum, which is organised into three interrelated English elaborations: Language, Literature and Literacy. It also incorporates Critical and Creative Thinking. Students explore concepts related to reality, life and ethical problems that arise. This elective adds value to students’ study of philosophical questions arising from a variety of texts including literary and non-literary texts, print and non-print. The themes explored require maturity and willingness to discuss mainstream and non-mainstream ideas.  

Questions and Possibilities  

Students will learn to:  

• Investigate the characteristics of effective questions in different contexts to examine the information and test possibilities.  
• Suspend judgements to allow new possibilities to emerge and investigate how this can broaden ideas and solutions.  
• Challenge previously held assumptions and create new links by investigating ideas that provoke shifts in perspectives and cross boundaries to generate ideas and solutions.   

Reasoning  

Students will learn to:  

•  Examine how to identify and analyse suppressed premises and assumptions.  
•  Investigate the nature and use of counter-examples structured as arguments.  
• Consider ambiguity and equivocation and how they affect the strength of arguments.  

Metacognition  

Students will learn to:  

• Critically examine their own and others’ thinking processes and discuss factors that influence thinking.  
• Investigate how the use of a range of learning strategies can be monitored, evaluated and re-directed as necessary.