Humanities & Social Sciences

Year 7

In Year 7, Humanities and Social Sciences consist of Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography and History.

Students develop increasing independence in critical thinking and skill application which includes questioning, researching, analysing, evaluating, communicating and reflecting. Students apply these skills to investigate events, developments, issues and phenomena, both historical and contemporary.

Students continue to build their understanding of the key features of Australia’s democracy, how it is shaped by the Australian constitution, and how the rights of individuals are protected through the justice system.

An understanding of the interdependence of consumers and producers in the market is further developed. Work and work futures are introduced.

The concepts of place, space, environment, interconnection and sustainability are continuing themes and provide students with the opportunity to enquire into how the environment supports human life and understand that people value the environment in different ways.

Year 8

In Year 8, Humanities and Social Sciences consist of Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography and History.

Students continue to build their understanding of the responsibilities and freedoms of citizens and how Australians can actively participate in their democracy. Students consider how laws are made and the types of laws used in Australia.

Students further develop their understanding of economics and business concepts by considering the ways markets work and the rights, responsibilities and opportunities that arise for businesses, consumers and governments. Work and work futures are further developed as students consider the influences on the way people work now and in the future.

The concepts of place, space, environment, interconnection and sustainability are continuing themes and provide students with the opportunity to enquire into the significance of landscapes to people and the spatial change in the distribution of population.

Students develop their historical understanding through key concepts, including evidence, continuity and change, cause and effect, perspectives, empathy, significance and contestability. These concepts are investigated within the historical context from the end of the ancient period to the beginning of the modern period, c. 650 AD (CE) – 1750 and consider how societies changed from the end of the ancient period to the beginning of the modern age, what key beliefs and values emerged and how did they influence societies, and what were the causes and effects of contact between societies in this period.

Year 9

Humanities and Social Sciences consist of Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography and History.

Students develop increasing independence in critical thinking and skill application, which includes questioning, researching, analysing, evaluating, communicating and reflecting. They apply these skills to investigate events, developments, issues and phenomena, both historical and contemporary.

Students continue to build on their understanding of the concepts of the Westminster system, democracy, democratic values, justice and participation. They examine the role of key players in the political system, the way citizens' decisions are shaped during an election campaign and how a government is formed. Students investigate how Australia's court system works in support of a democratic and just society.

Students are introduced to the concepts of specialisation and trade while continuing to further their understanding of the key concepts of scarcity, making choices, interdependence, and allocation and markets. They examine the connections between consumers, businesses and government, both within Australia and with other countries, through the flow of goods, services and resources in a global economy. The roles and responsibilities of the participants in the changing Australian and global workplace are explored.

Year 10

Humanities and Social Sciences consist of Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography and History.

Students continue to build on their understanding of the concepts of democracy, democratic values, justice, and rights and responsibilities by exploring Australia's roles and responsibilities at a global level and its international legal obligations. They inquire in to the values and practices that enable a resilient democracy to be sustained.

Students are introduced to the concept of economic performance and living standards while continuing to further their understanding of the concepts of making choices, interdependence, specialisation, and allocation and markets through examining contemporary issues, events and/or case studies delving into the reasons for variations in the performance of economies. They explore the nature of externalities and investigate the role of governments in managing economic performance to improve living standards. They inquire into the ways businesses can manage their workforces to improve productivity.

Senior School

ATAR - Accounting and Finance

The Accounting and Finance ATAR course focuses on financial literacy and aims to provide students with the knowledge, understandings and a range of skills that enables them to make sound financial judgements. Students develop an understanding that financial decisions have far reaching consequences for individuals and business.

General - Business Management and Enterprise

The Business Management and Enterprise General course focuses on establishing and operating a small business in Australia and aims to provide students with an understanding of the knowledge and skills of the processes and procedures required for generating business ideas and turning them into a viable business venture. Factors that impact on business innovation and success, business planning, and legal aspects of running a small business are examined. Students engage in the running of a small business, or participate in business simulations, to develop practical business skills and to develop financial and business literacy. Through the consideration of real businesses and scenarios, students develop knowledge, understanding and skills that enable them to analyse business opportunities, develop proposals and make sound, ethical business decisions. The course equips students to participate proactively in the world of business, behave responsibly and demonstrate integrity in business activities.

Students may gain an opportunity to participate in $20 Boss which is a free-to-access program that provides $20 of real money to build a business and a tangible way of supporting students to learn, identify and talk about the skills they’re building. Through $20 Boss we flip the focus by challenging students to solve a real problem and help them better understand their relationship with money and business.

General - Career and Enterprise

Career education involves learning to manage and take responsibility for personal career development. The Career and Enterprise General course involves recognising one’s individual skills and talents, and using this understanding to assist in gaining employment and keeping in work. The course develops a range of work skills and an understanding of the nature of work. Key components of the course include: the development of an understanding of different personality types and their link to career choices; entrepreneurial behaviours; learning to learn; and the exploration of social, cultural and environmental issues that affect work, workplaces and careers.

ATAR - Economics

Economics investigates the choices which all people, groups and societies face as they confront the ongoing problem of satisfying their unlimited wants with limited resources. Economics aims to understand and analyse the allocation, utilisation and distribution of scarce resources that determine our wealth and wellbeing. Economics develops the knowledge, reasoning and interpretation skills that form an important component of understanding individual, business and government behaviour at the local, national and global levels.

The Economics ATAR course encompasses the key features which characterise an economist’s approach to a contemporary economic event or issue: the ability to simplify the essence of a problem; to collect economic information and data to assist analysis and reasoning; to think critically about the limits of analysis in a social context; and to draw inferences which assist decision-making, the development of public policy and improvement in economic wellbeing.

ATAR - Geography

The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our natural world and appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. It’s about understanding how to build our cities to face the challenges that a changing planet will bring: rising population, food and water shortages and a warming climate. Geography concerns the movement of people, the growth of cities and the creative technologies used to live sustainably on a dynamic planet. Additionally, this subject also provides students with the opportunity to go on multiple field work excursions and camps throughout the year.

A camp to Rottnest is an essential component of the course enabling students to develop some of the necessary data collection skills.

General - Geography

In the Geography General course students learn how to collect information from primary and secondary sources, such as field observation and data collection, mapping, monitoring, remote sensing, case studies and reports. Geography as a discipline values imagination, creativity and speculation as modes of thought. It develops students’ knowledge about the interconnections between places and explores the spatial patterns and processes related to environments at risk, and to the protection of such environments through management at local, regional and global levels.

This course has a significant practical component with the majority of assessments requiring some form of fieldwork, excursion notes and inquiry. Using skills such as mapping and fieldwork, student will study how environments, specifically coastal and coral reefs, are at risk from human and natural influences. Furthermore, students will develop an understanding of the complexities of the biosphere and the structure and function of the Earth’s ecosystems. Students will also study in depth a particular region, South East Asia, and develop knowledge of the urban and natural characteristics of that area. A camp to Rottnest is an essential component of the course enabling students to develop some of the necessary data collection skills.

ATAR - Politics and Law

Politics and law is a critical study of the processes of decision making concerning society’s collective future. The study of politics examines the structures and processes through which individuals and groups with different interests, beliefs and goals, deliberate and negotiate in order to make choices, respond to changing circumstances and enact laws. The study of law examines the system of laws governing the conduct of the people of a community, society or nation, in response to the need for regularity, consistency and justice based upon collective human experience.

A close relationship exists between politics and law. They relate through the judicial, executive and legislative arms of government; together they constitute how societies are governed. Laws generally embody social and political values that usually have a philosophical foundation.

The skills and values developed in the Politics and Law ATAR course aim to allow students to become informed, active and effective participants in the political and legal decisions that affect their lives within society.

The study of the Politics and Law ATAR course contributes to students’ intellectual, social, and ethical development. The course aims to support all students in developing a sense of identity, and a sense of political, legal, cultural and social awareness.

General - Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of how people think, feel and act. It aims to answer important questions such as what factors influence human development. This course introduces students to a breadth of knowledge focusing on the psychology of self and others. Psychological knowledge helps us understand factors relating to individuals, such as: cognition, or the way we think; biological bases of behaviour; and personality, the enduring traits that distinguish individuals. This course is designed to integrate the understanding of scientific principles, the acquisition of psychological knowledge and the application of both in an enjoyable and contemporary way. The study of psychology is highly relevant to further studies in the health professions; education, human resources, social sciences, sales, media and marketing and management.