Humanities

Humanities in the High School focuses on the study of History, Geography, Business, Economics and Civics and Citizenship. Humanities subjects emphasise inquiry-based teaching and learning. Learners spend time developing skills in communication, analysis and research. Learners engage in activities designed to identify the context and significance of events and developments, incorporate multiple perspectives and recognise the value of using evidence to justify a point of view.

All students in Years 7 to 9 study Humanities, followed by History in Year 10.

In Year 9 students may select Economics, Business & Law (EBL) as a semester long unit in addition to the core Humanities program

All students in Year 10 study History. In addition to this core subject, students can select a range of Humanities options during Year 10. These options include Economics, Business & Law (EBL), Geography, Global Politics, Social Psychology, Religion in Society and Philosophy.

Humanities objectives:

• To expand students’ knowledge and understanding of their own society, other societies, local and global environments, and the relationships between societies and environments
• To promote the acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that enable students to participate as active and informed citizens in society and within the global community.

Year 7 Humanities

Humanities knowledge and understanding:

In Year 7 Humanities, students study History when they describe the reasons and effects for change and continuity in ancient societies. They describe events and developments from the perspective of different people who lived in the ancient world and they explain the role of groups and the significance of key individuals. 

Students in Year 7 explore Civics and Citizenship when they explain features of Australia’s Constitution, the diverse nature of Australian society, the ways they can be active and informed citizens and when they identify the importance of shared values in promoting cohesiveness. 

Year 7 students study Business and Economics when they explore the interdependence of consumers and producers in the market and identify the reasons individuals choose to work and the various sources of income that exist. They study Geography when they investigate the interconnections between people, places and environments - particularly as it applies to the resource of water. 

Term 1 - Investigating the Ancient Past. 

Term 2 - Australian Deep Time History. Ancient Greece.

Term 3 - Australian Federation and The Constitution. 

Term 4 - Create a Niche Business. Water in the World (Geography).

Year 8 Humanities

Humanities knowledge and understanding:

In Year 8 Humanities, students study Geography when they investigate interconnections and change within and between environments and between people and places. They explore how places are perceived and valued differently, they propose explanations for spatial distributions, patterns, trends and relationships in the natural and built environments. 

Year 8 students study Business and Economics when they investigate how markets operate and recognise why governments may influence the market’s operation. Students explain the rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses, describe the influences on the way people work and factors that may affect work in the future. 

Year 8 students study History by recognising and explaining patterns of change and continuity over time and the causes and effects of events and developments in Medieval Europe and Japan under the Shogunate. 

Year 8 students study Civics and Citizenship when they explore the different types of law in Australia, how laws are made, the features of Australia’s democracy that enable active participation and uphold human rights, and when they identify and analyse diverse belief systems and points of view. 

Term 1 - Landforms, Landscapes and Urbanisation (Geography)

Term 2 - The Market, Business and Government (Economics and Business)

Term 3 - Medieval Europe and Shogunate Japan (History)

Term 4 - Human Rights (Civics and Citizenship)