Year 9

 

Individuals & Societies

Global issues

by June McKenzie & Chris Dite, Teachers of  Year 9 Individuals & Societies 

Individuals and Societies  challenges students to review contemporary and historical events. This term the class has focused on three global issues to study and increase our awareness of the ramifications of these issues for us as global citizens.

For each topic, students examined different sources of information, discussed a range of perspectives and the involvement of world powers. The topics were: the global refugee crisis, the power struggles between America and North Korea and the Adani coal mine.

Within these three studies, students were presented with thought-provoking information that necessitated them being mindful of its source and the audience it was targeting. Through class discussions they were encouraged to deconstruct arguments, review conflicting views, seek ‘facts’ and actively engage in debate. They then communicated their understandings in a variety of ways:

• A press release Students had to assume the role of either an Adani corporate board  member / shareholder OR an activist against the coal mine. They had to write a press release or speech communicating their argument for / against the operation.

• Using an interactive website developed by The Refugee Project  to investigate the current global situation of refugees, students tracked refugee groups and stories of individuals across a range of countries.  This was documented and shared.

• Students had to create a visual representation that commented on the power struggle between America and North Korea. They chose one or two aspects from areas reviewed in class of this conflict to focus on and created a visual document which presents / discusses some of the complexities involved.