Humanities, Social Sciences

Time to learn how Politics works and Law is formed.

In Term 4, all Year 7-10 classes will study of Civics and Citizenship, which develops students’ understating of political and juridical institutions as well as their appreciation of the key elements of our democratic system. A focus on contemporary issues, such as debates over changes in law and Australian government responses to national and international events, provides a means of developing students’ thinking and their critical approach to current affairs.

Students learn how to actively participate, question and improve our democracy; an aspect which should never be given for granted. The advantage of studying Civics and Citizenship in Term 4 is that can apply principles and content learnt through Humanities in previous terms.

Students will develop general skills and capabilities such as an appreciation of diverse perspectives, empathy, collaboration, negotiation, self-awareness and intercultural understanding, making them active citizens in the promotion and protection of our constitutional rights and duties. At times, according to the WA Curriculum, it will be necessary to refer to current politicians and their political views. All views are welcomed and encouraged to be shared in class, as far as respect and consideration of "the other'' is guaranteed.

The Geography and History SS ATAR courses, together with the Politics and Law General course, will be available in 2020 to those Year 10 students willing to continue in their study of social and political events. We encourage wholeheartedly students in the future to pick up the Humanities subject, as these will make them more aware and therefore successful citizens, either undertaking General or ATAR course. HASS teachers at SNC also encourage students to discuss at home topics learnt in class, as this will help them further enhance their understanding, and therefore knowledge of current affairs, prompting their awareness of the impact and significance of events in the real world.  Students of all year levels should read/watch the news almost daily. While media such as Channel 7, Channel 9 and Channel 10 can be quite useful for local, regional and State wide news, HASS teachers suggest channels such as ABC, SBS, the BBC or other reliable media on national and international level.

The study of Civics and Citizenship allows (at times and according to year level abilities) each HASS class to be turned into a ''social platform'' with lively debates on current affair issues. Indeed, SNC students are getting prepared for all good works. For this reason, HASS teachers encourage each student to put all the effort into this final unit of the year. As cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” It is possible that students, parents and teachers look at this quote from a different perspective!

                                                                                                                         Dr A Runco (Head of Learning, Humanities)