Year 9 Humanities

Core Humanities Subjects (Year Long)	Humanities Elective Subjects (Semester Based)
Core Humanities	A Current Affair
	Should We Save Them
	The Law and You
	Philosophy

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. Via these units, 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.  

Topics across the year may include (but are not limited to): 

Fast Fashion

Future Food 

Racism – Past and Present 

The Holocaust

Topic	Description and links to relevant subject knowledge
Fast Fashion Facts	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.
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.

A Current Affair

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 a historical context and a geographical context for their 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. 

Historical Concepts & Skills 

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. 
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.

Geographical Concepts & Skills

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. 
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 and Geographical Information Systems as appropriate, to develop identifications, descriptions, explanations and conclusions that use geographical terminology.

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.

Should We Save Them?

In this subject, students will explore issues surrounding endangered species (both fauna and flora) using a range of case studies. Students will develop an understanding of what it means to be endangered, which species are endangered and where, why species are endangered, what or who is the cause and what is being done to stop or reverse the endangerment of species. Students will also develop their critical thinking and independent research skills by selecting their own case studies to investigate.   This subject encourages students to not only investigate the issue of endangered species but also the ethics that are involved in saving them and the role that zoos and sanctuaries play in this. Student Voice will also be a big part of this subject with students being able to choose several of their own case studies.

Ethical Capabilities

Students will learn to:

Explore a range of ethical problems and examine the extent to which different positions are related to commonly held ethical concepts and principles, considering the influence of cultural norms, religion, world views and philosophical thought. 
Discuss issues raised by thinking about consequences and duties, in approaches to decision-making and action, and arguments for and against these approaches. 
Investigate how different factors involved in ethical decision-making can be managed by people and groups.

Geographical Concepts & Skills

Students will learn:

Different types and distribution of environmental changes and the forms it takes in different places. 
Environmental, economic and technological factors that influence environmental change and human responses to its management. 
Environmental worldviews of people and their implications for environmental management.

Students will also learn to:

Predict changes in the characteristics of places over time and identify the possible implications of change for the future.  
Identify, analyse and explain significant spatial distributions and patterns and identify and evaluate their implications, over time and at different scales.  
Collect and record relevant geographical data and information, using ethical protocols, from reliable and useful primary and secondary sources.

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.  

Civics & Citizenship – 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

Civics & Citizenship – 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’

Philosophy

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.