Humanities Overview (IBDP & TCE)

The Friends' School Humanities courses in Year 11 and 12 come under the titles of "Group 3 - Individuals and Societies" for the IBDP and "Humanities and Social Sciences" or HASS for the TCE.

It is important to note that no prior knowledge or experience is required to choose any of the Humanities courses in the IBDP or TCE.

To help students and parents understand the significant range of Humanities courses on offer in both the IBDP and TCE curriculum - the Learning Leader of Humanities has recorded a video that provides clear guidance and support for your choices.

IBDP Group 3 (Individuals and Societies)

In the IBDP at The Friends' School a student can choose from:

Economics Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL)
Global Politics Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL)
Philosophy Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL)
Psychology Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL)

or as either a Group 3 or Group 4 (Science)

Environmental Systems Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL)

There is also the option to anticipate Economics, Global Politics or Philosophy at Standard Level (SL). This means that the subject can be completed by the end of your first year (Year 11).

TCE Level 3

A student can choose one or more of the many pre-tertiary HASS courses on offer at The Friends' School. These include:

Ancient History
Asian Studies
Business Studies (not offered in 2027)
Economics
First Nations
Geography (not offered in 2026)
Legal Studies (not offered in 2026)
Modern History
Psychology
Philosophy
Studies of Religion (not offered in 2027)
Sociology

Some of these courses will run only every second year as indicated. Please consider a two year pathway when making subject selections.

There is no prior knowledge or experience required to enrol in Humanities TASC courses.

All courses are open to all students beginning in either 11 or 12 depending on which year the courses are offered.

Completion of Level 3 HASS courses provides you with your Reading, Writing and Communiation (Literacy) Standard for the TCE (with the exception of Business Studies).

It is recommended that students consult with their Year 10 Humanities teacher, Humanities Learning Leader or a Pathways co-ordinator while making their course choices for Humanities.

Please feel free to contact current Year 10 Humanities Teachers or the Learning Area Leader of Humanities if you have any questions.

What skills do these courses develop?

• Analytical thinking and innovation

• Active learning and learning strategies

• Complex problem solving

• Critical thinking and analysis

• Creativity, originality and initiative

• Leadership and social influence

• Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility

• Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation

• Persuasion and negotiation

• Communication

• Written comprehension

• Judgement and decision-making

• Reading and oral comprehension

• Multitasking

• Empathy

• Social perceptiveness

• Attention to detail

• Problem-solving

• Active listening

What Pathway Options do these courses provide?

The skills developed during these courses help prepare students for a number of university and non-university pathways which can lead to careers and employment in areas such as:

Historian, Cultural or Conservation Heritage Officer, Economic Historian, Geographical Historian, Teacher (Primary, Secondary) University Lecturer/Academic, Screenwriter, Playwright, Media Advisor, Communications Officer, Publishing Editor, Fact-checker, Publisher, Writer/Author, Journalist, Environmental Lawyer, Solicitor, Criminologist, Conservator, Management Consultant, Manager Human Resources, Policy Advisor, Policy and Planning Manager, Policy Analyst, Political Scientist, Foreign Affairs and Trade officer, Parliamentarian, Business Consultant, Resource Economist, Community Worker, Social Researcher Counsellor, Student Advisor, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Welfare Case Manager, Welfare Worker, Youth Worker, Social Work, Sustainability Activist.