Humanities - Curriculum Information

Year 7 Humanities

Geography:

Course Description:

This course focuses on students developing their geospatial skills in the study and interpretation of these maps in detail. The fundamentals of BOLTSS are explored in exercises specific to orientation, legend, title, scale and source.

Students explore the use of their atlas and learn to appreciate the various types of maps. Latitude and Longitude help pinpoint places with great accuracy so students develop skills in locating cities and other significant places of interest.

Finally the layers of the earth are studied with specific emphasis on the causes and effects of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Rationale:

Maps play a significant role in our everyday life. We use maps to communicate information effectively and they help us locate places and explore different parts of the earth's surface. Reading a Melways, understanding the where and what of significant regions of Australia and the rest of the world lay the foundations of a variety of studies.

Outcomes:

Different ways of viewing landscape.
Applying geospatial tools such as scale, direction and grid references.
Interpret maps, photographs, satellite images and graphs.
New ways of recording and representing data.

Assessment Tasks

Folio work (class activities)
Test on mapping skills, BOLTSS, etc
Assignment: Natural Disasters

History

Unit description

History is the study of people and the society's of the past. To understand our society, one must have knowledge of the past and of the origins of civilisation. History, at Year 7 introduced the students to foundation skills such as inquiry and research. Students focus on an exploration of the history and contribution of ancient civilisations such as Egypt and Greece.

Learning focus

During this unit of work students

Sequence events and develop timelines
Investigate and use a variety of primary and secondary sources
Analyse and describe key aspects of life in ancient societies.
Compare ancient societies with contemporary societies

Assessment Tasks

Folio: A series of activities in a range of topics such as tests (timelines), mapping work, written work.
Research Project: A written or oral presentation on an aspect of an Ancient Civilization.

Resources

Brown, S. ( 1998) Ancient Egypt Prim-Ed Publishing: Greenwood, Western Australia

Burke E & Mirams, S. (1996) The Ancients Oxford University Press: Melbourne

Salidais, M. ( et al.) ( 2005) Humanities Alive 1, Jacaranda: Melbourne

Civics and Citizenship

Unit Description:

Government concerns all people. Often people feel distant or removed from a political process which seems dominated by politicians. However, as citizens of a democracy, we can participate in certain aspects of government. Australian citizens aged 18 or over have an obligation to vote to select the political party they would like to govern Australia. The aim of this unit is to analyse the key features of Australia's political system at local, state and federal levels and to highlight how as citizens in a democracy, students can participate in aspects of government and the representative process.

Civics and Citizenship Dimensions:

Explain the origins and features of representative government
Compare representative government with other forms of government
Explain the importance of political rights and describe how they were achieved in Australia
Identify and question the features and values of Australia's political system
Use a range of sources for inquiries, including the mass media, and present viewpoints based on evidence

Assessment Tasks:

Tests on the 3 leves of Government and class activities/ library skills (assessed independantly and via group work)
Individual project on the Local, State and Federal systems of Government.

Resources

Relevant educational videos/ DVD /internet sites /software
Discovering Democracy kit
Humanities Alive 1&2 - Jacaranda, Maggy Salais, Peter Van Noorden, Jo Lamont, 2005

Economics

Course description:

Economics is the study of the allocation of our scarce resources in the most efficient way possible to best satisfy our needs/wants. This course examines the daily decisions we make such as what we buy, where to go on holidays, where to live, what career to follow, how much money we can earn, how much can we spend and save. Students examine these decisions in detail and begin to appreciate the role of government and the workings of the economy and how it operates.

Rationale:

Economics is essential to the ability to make education decisions in our daily lives. An understanding of the fundamental concepts of Demand and supply are pivotal to the notion of the free market system and consumer choice.

Outcomes:

Understanding the definition of economics.
The role of consumers, producers and government.
Types of business structures in Australia.
The concept of demand, supply and scarcity.
The role of money in society.

Assessment

Folio of work (series of class activities, including Test on Economic decision-making and related concepts)
Assignment: Presentation - Mobile Phones as an economic case study

Year 8 Humanities

Geography

Course Description:

Firstly, students will learn about advanced geospatial skills including area grid references, contours and cross-sections.

Students learn to ask a series of geographical questions and follow an inquiry -based approach incorporating identification, observation, description, analysis, explanation, synthesis and evaluation. This extends their understanding and provides students with a well-researched, informed spatial perspective to apply to local and global issues, including sustainable use and management of the world's resources. This region that this topic will look at is the Asia - Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific region covers nearly one-sixth of the Earth's land surface, and a large proportion of its water body, the Pacific Ocean. It features great physical and human contrasts, diversity of languages and religions, and is the centre of much of the world's trade. With their close proximity to our own continent, Asia and Pacific nations play an important part in Australia's affairs. It is within the Asia-Pacific region that trade, tourism and educational growth between our nations is taking place.

Rationale

This unit provides opportunities to gain a significant understanding of issues and challenges facing the region. Students have the opportunity to look at aid links between Australia and countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Students develop their geography skills.

Outcomes

Apply knowledge and understanding of scale, contours, cross sections grid references, legend and direction in using maps.
Use topographic maps, atlas maps and geographic information systems as sources of spatial information.
Explain, with examples from the Asia- Pacific region, how the interaction of physical processes and human activities change the characteristics of regions.
Understands the consequences of human activity on local and global systems and understands how to act as a responsible global citizen.
Understands the environmental principles and ethical issues involved in creating and working towards sustainable futures

Assessment Tasks

Test on Geography skills
Research Project : Asia Pacific Region : Model U.N Summit

History

Course Description:

This unit describes the people, places and period of the Middle Ages and the renaissance. The course comprises of:

The Middle Ages: a brief introduction of the decline of the Roman Empire and the rise of the Barbarians; the Feudal System; Daily Life; Education; Religion and Witchcraft; Crimes and Punishment; Growth of towns and development of banking; the Black death; the Crusades.

Renaissance: Artists, Patronage and thinkers; Religion; Exploration; the Printing Press

Students will encounter, research, study and report on different people and places from the past and of today, making connections and comparisons with their own lives in their own time and land.

Dimensions:

Analyse and describe key aspects of the life in ancient and medieval societies.
Compare key aspects of past and present societies (e.g. social and political ideas and structures and cultural values and beliefs).
Analyse change and continuity over time.
Sequence events and develop timelines.
Use a range of evidence to describe features of past societies.
Understand how ancient societies have provided a foundation for modern society.
Compare ancient and medieval societies with contemporary societies, including Australia.
Explore key concepts of ancient and medieval societies (e.g. democracy, governance, the rule of law, justice, religion, liberty, authority, leadership, culture and feudalism).
Investigate daily life, the role and work of various groups, the division of labour between men and women, education, rituals and family.
Explore the values and beliefs of societies through their religions, myths and legends and their social and political structures.
Examine the ways the culture was expressed through art, music, literature, drama, festivals and education.
Learn about key events, significant individuals and the influence of trade and contact with other cultures.

Assessment Tasks

Research Activity based on the daily life of people in a society
Analytical Task based on a variety of topics, for example witchcraft, the Plague, the Crusades, a significant person or persons
Folio: a series of tests and activities including map work, comprehension questions, timelines, short responses etc.

Resources

SOSE 1 , Calandra, A. Jacaranda. (class text 2006)
Humanities Alive 2, Easton, M. et al. Jacaranda
Heineman Atlas
Threads of Time, Coupe and Scanlan. (Class set in IRC)
History Adventures, Davies et al. (Class set in IRC)
Various educational videos, internet sites and relevant software.

Civics and Citizenship

Unit Description:

Government concerns all people. Often people feel distant or removed from a political process which seems dominated by politicians. However, as citizens of a democracy, we can participate in certain aspects of government. Australian citizens aged 18 or over have an obligation to vote to select the political party they would like to govern Australia. The aim of this unit is to ensure students understand and question the key aspects of our Democracy, namely that we are a Constitutional Monarchy with a Constitution and a Federal Parliament consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. We also have a leader who is Prime Minister and is supported by a Cabinet whose decisions often filter down and affect all of us.

Civics and Citizenship Dimensions:

Explain the origins and features of representative government
Explain the importance of political rights and describe how they were achieved in Australia
Identify and question the features and values of Australia's political system
Describe the purposes of laws and the processes of creating and changing them
Use a range of sources for inquiries, including the mass media, and present viewpoints based on evidence

Identify and discuss the qualities of leadership through historical and contemporary examples evidence

Assessment Tasks

Test on Australian Government and Class Activities.
Individual project on significant Australian Political Figures.

Resources:

Relevant educational videos/dvd/internet sites
Jacaranda SOSE, Grace Ciavarella, 2000
Discovering Democracy kit
Humanities Alive 1&2 - Jacaranda, Maggy Salais, Peter Van Noorden, Jo Lamont, 2005

Economics

Course Description:

Economic issues affect us all. Whether we can find employment, can afford to buy a home or take an overseas holiday or increase the amount of income we earn depends on the economy. Knowing a little about the economy makes some of these issues clearer. In this unit, students will discover that by choosing to spend their money, they are sending a signal to producers to keep making products they buy. They are therefore helping to create work opportunities for people make the products they buy. Students will learn that all people play a role as important resources, in addition to our finite natural resources, in the Australian economy.

Learning Focus:

Students will discover:

Why consumers and producers need each other
The law of demand and supply
How Australia's resources are used
The importance of international trade
How businesses compete in the Australian economy

Assessment:

Major Assignment on a significant Economic issue in Australia

Folio (series of tests and class activities)

Resources:

Jacaranda 'Humanities Alive 2' 2006 Easton,M / Saldais,M / Lamont,J/ Van Noorden,P

Blackline Masters 'An Introduction To Economics' Cattell, Tim

Blackline Masters 'Consumers, Business and Markets' Cattell, Tim

Various educational websites/DVD/Videos and assorted handouts

Middle School Electives

The year 9/10 elective program was born from the idea that students would benefit enormously from a wide range of learning experiences in the middle school. Apart from assisting them in making informed and measured choices for their VCE studies, the program caters for a wide range of interest and ability. The Humanities courses provide a broad range of choice and the teaching and learning strategies are being brought into accordance with The Victorian Education Learning Standards (VELS).

We are very proud of the units offered within the Humanities area which provide flexible, relevant and vibrant learning delivered by a dedicated and caring staff. Aspects of History, Geography, Civics & Commerce provide an opportunity to select from a range of subjects, providing a stepping stone toward vocational pathways or pure academic interest.

We encourage all students to choose carefully, keeping in mind your strengths and learning interests. Learning can be fun when you are open to new academic experiences. Please don’t hesitate to approach me or any other Humanities staff if you have any questions or queries.

HISTORY

1. The Story of Oz- From the Dreaming to Federation

This history course asks students to consider the question “Who were the first Australians?” and to examine how different groups within Australia have claimed this title for themselves. The course will explore the arrival of the indigenous Australians tens of thousands of years ago and their way of life, the arrival of the Europeans just over 200 years ago and their impact on the indigenous Australians. The course will also look at the way Australia developed from a British penal colony to nationhood with the establishment of a Federation of States. The course is designed to increase the students’ appreciation of history and develop their investigative, critical thinking, interpretive and reporting skills..

2. Australians At War - 1900-2006

Why did Australia join America in the war in Iraq? Why are there so many American programs on the television? Why are American celebrities our celebrities? Questions such as these are examined in this subject. The emergence of Australia and America’s relationship during World War Two and how this relationship has been developed through the study of key events such as the World Wars, the Vietnam, the Gulf war and the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

GEOGRAPHY

3. The Great Outdoors

In this unit students will investigate the “Great Outdoors” in Australia and overseas. They will examine a range of factors and issues that impact on the environment. They will specifically study rainforests and the issues that are leading to their destruction, weather, climate and mapping. Through role-play, discussion, class work, power point and research, students will develop their personal opinions on contemporary environmental issues such as global warming, pollution, acid rain and the greenhouse effect. Practical mapping and compass exercises will provide an introduction to basic geographical skills and fieldwork visits to the Rainforest gallery and the local Fitzroy area will give students the opportunity to put their practical skills into practice.

4. Where Do We Go From Here?

Through an inquiry based approach this unit enables students to examine how particular landforms have been created and the physical processes taking place under the earth’s surface that have an influence and effect on human activity. An in depth study into human population statistics; differences between developed and underdeveloped countries; migration patterns, resource management and alternative energies are given attention.

CIVICS & COMMERCE

Rationale:
Government is part of our every day life. Government is responsible for the defense of the nation, for the laws and enforcement of law. Yet surveys show Australians have limited knowledge about how government operates at all levels. This subject aims at redressing this issue through the study of our democracy and our own electoral system.

Similarly government is responsible for a system of courts and tribunals to hear disputes and bodies such as police to enforce law and order and to protect the community. Important aspects of the nature and functions of laws are also addressed in this subject.

Year 9	Year 10
Government and You	Government and You
Democracy	Why vote: Representative Democracy
Government in Australia	Political Parties
Federation / Constitution	Voting and elections
Victorian Parliament : Contemporary Issue	Electoral processes
Levels of Government	Republic versus Constitutional Monarchy
The Law and You	The Law and You
What is law	The role of police
Need for law	Teenagers & the Police: Know Your Rights
Criminal and Civil law	Human Rights and the UN declaration
Australian legal system	Australia & Rights & Responsibilities
Enforcing the law / Dispute resolution
Changing laws / becoming active citizens
Economics Focus	Economics Focus
The nature of the economic problem Factors of production and their importance Opportunity cost / Enterprise Entrepreneurs	Research on ONE economic issue from: Managing the Economy Inflation Employment Sustainable economic development Income Distribution : Poverty
Personal Finance	Personal Finance
Characteristics and functions of money / Currencies	Choices in Investing
Budgeting / Saving / Spending Money	Changing work patterns
Managing credit effectively	Job seeking / C.V
Advertising / Consumer Protection	Interview skills / work & vocational pathways

VCE

Accounting

Unit 1 - Going into Business

This unit focuses on the accounting and financial management of a small business. Students will be introduced to the process of gathering, recording and reporting of financial information for use by the owner of a small business. There will also be an introduction to the use of information and communications technology in undertaking these accounting principles. Students will learn about the role of accounting in effective decision making, using single entry recording of financial information for a sole proprietor service business.

Areas of Study

Recording, reporting and understanding accounting information.
Decision making

Unit 2 - Operating a Business

This unit focuses on the accounting and financial operations of a sole proprietor trading business. Students will be introduced to an accounting system using the accrual approach for recording and reporting, which recognises the impact of credit transactions. Students look at tools of analysis and interpretation in order to assist in the evaluation of business performance.

Areas of Study

Recording, reporting and understanding accounting information.
Decision making

Unit 3 - Double Entry for Trading Businesses

Units 3 and 4 are designed to be taken as a sequence. Unit 3 focuses on accounting and financial issues of a small trading business, operating as a sole proprietor. Students are introduced to a double entry system using the accrual basis of accounting. The unit emphasises the role of accounting as an information system and the role of information and communications technology in completing procedures. It also investigates alternative approaches in accounting and their impact on financial reports.

Areas Of Study

Recording, reporting and understanding accounting information.
Decision making

Unit 4 - Planning Control and Decision Making

This unit further develops the role of accounting in providing information, with the main focus on accounting information for management. It covers recording and reporting for trading businesses, using perpetual inventory recording and reporting on the accrual basis. Budgeting for cash, financial performance and financial position are also covered in this unit.

Areas Of Study

Recording, reporting and understanding accounting information.
Decision making

Business Management

Unit 3 - Corporate Management

In this unit students investigate how large scale organisations operate. Students examine the context in which they conduct their businesses, focus on aspects of their internal environment and then look at the operations management function. Students develop an understanding of the complexity and challenge of managing large organisations and have the opportunity to compare theoretical perspectives with practical applications.

Areas of Study:

Large - scale organisations in context.
Internal environment of large- scale organisations.
The operations management function.

Unit 4 - Managing People and Change

This unit continues the examination of corporate management. It commences with a focus on the human resource management function. Students learn about the key aspects of this function and strategies used to most effectively manage human resources. The unit concludes with analysis of the management of change. Students learn about key change management processes and strategies and are provided with the opportunity to apply these to a contemporary issue of significance.

Areas of Study:

The human resource management function
The management of change.

Legal Studies

Unit 1 - Criminal Law and Justice

This unit explores the distinction between legal and non-legal rules, the Victorian court hierarchy, and the process of making laws through parliament. It focuses on the role of the police, their powers of investigation, the procedures of a criminal trial and an examination of possible sanctions that are available to the criminal courts. In addition, students explore the concepts of fairness and justice within the criminal justice system.

Areas of Study:

Criminal Law
The Courtroom

Unit 2 - Civil Law and the Law in Focus

This unit focuses on the effective resolution of civil disputes. It looks at the processes and procedures involved in civil litigation and the possible defenses to civil claims within our legal system available to enforce the civil rights of our citizens. As well as the judicial procedure to resolve civil disputes, the unit also investigates the alternative avenues of dispute resolution and their effectiveness. This unit provides students with the opportunity to explore specific areas of law and to analyse contemporary legal issues.

Areas of Study:

Civil Disputes
Civil Law in Action
The Law in Focus

Unit 3 - Law-making

The purpose of this unit is to enable students to develop an understanding of the institutions that determine laws and the processes by which laws are made. I t considers reasons why laws are necessary and the impact of the Commonwealth Constitution on the operation of the legal system. Students undertake an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the law-making bodies and the processes used to influence change and reform.

Areas of Study:

Parliament and the citizen
Constitution and the protection of rights
Role of the courts

Unit 4 - Dispute Resolution

This unit explores the function and jurisdiction of the courts, tribunals and alternative avenues of dispute resolution with a view to comparing and evaluating the operation of the various dispute resolution methods. Students develop an understanding of criminal and civil pre-trial and trial processes and procedures which operate within the Victorian legal system. The current operation of the jury system in criminal and civil trials will be examined and students will also review the operation of the adversary system, giving consideration to its strengths and weaknesses. Students will compare features of the adversary and inquisitorial systems of dispute resolution. In this unit students evaluate the effective operation of the Victorian legal system and make recommendations for possible improvement and reform.

Areas of Study:

Criminal cases and civil disputes
Court processes and procedures

History

Unit 1 - Twentieth Century History (1900 - 1945)

The first half of the twentieth century was marked by significant change. Old certainties were replaced by new uncertainties with social and political crises and conflicts. New states were created and new borders within Europe, Asia and Africa.This was particularly true for the Middle East. Advances in science and technology began to transform the world. This unit considers the new mediums of film and radio, were both to reflect and explore these changes. The ways in which societies responded to these changes and how they affected people's lives is also examined.

Areas of study

Crisis and conflict
Social life
Cultural expression

Unit 2 - Twentieth Century History (1945-2000)

In 1945 the forces of Japanese imperialism and German fascism were defeated. The United States of America and the USSR as the new superpowers came into conflict The relationship between these allies dissolved into suspicion and a Cold War was waged. Movements in the social, political and Economic climate challenged many countries. This unit specifically looks at the Cold War, Middle east conflicts, Peace and disarmament movements, Asian, African, or Middle East nationalism, globalisation.
Areas of study

Ideas and political power
movements of the people
Issues for the millennium

Units 1 and 2: International Politics

Unit 1: Politics, Power and People

Unit 1 considers key concepts, processes and relationships within and between different political structures and systems. It introduces students to the study of politics by considering key concepts and ideas including representation, power and democracy. Students compare a democratic and non democratic system and consider leadership through the study of a post-World War II leader/s.

Area of Study 1 - Democracies and dictatorship

This area of study introduces key concepts, values, ideologies, structures and processes that define nation states. Students undertake a comparative study of a contemporary democratic and non democratic system.

Area of Study 2 - Leading people

This area of study focuses on the values, goals, style and impact of post-World War II political leader/s. Students consider the leader's contribution to national and international politics and the extent to which the leader was/is able to exercise power.

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of key political concepts and values that underpin the development and organisation of nation states.

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain and evaluate the goals, style and the national and international impact of a post-World War II political leader.

Unit 2: The Global Picture

Unit 2 considers international relations through a consideration of key concepts, organisations and contemporary international relationships. Students consider key concepts and events in contemporary international relations. Students investigate how a selected state (or group of states) exercises power internationally and a current international conflict/area of instability.

Area of Study 1 - Looking out

This area of study is an introduction to international politics. Students consider concepts in international relations and key events since World War II. Students investigate ways in which a particular nation state is able to exercise international and or regional influence.

Area of Study 2 - The international community

This area of study considers the extent to which the international community is cohesive and can manage conflict and instability. Students investigate an example of changed national borders or new nation states and a contemporary example of international cooperation and conflict/instability.

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe key events that have shaped contemporary international relations and the ways in which states can exercise power and influence internationally.

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe and analyse the extent to which the international community is cohesive and has the ability to manage conflict and instability.

Units 3 and 4: International Studies

International studies explores contemporary international issues

Unit 3: Global Issues and Conflicts

Unit 3 investigates recent global politics and incorporates a detailed examination of the concepts of globalisation and internationalism. The second area of study in this unit examines the nature of conflict in the post-Cold War world including a look at key concepts such as 'superpower', 'terror' and 'terrorism' post September 11.

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the concepts of globalisation and internationalism and evaluate their impact on the role of the state and the concept of sovereignty.

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and evaluate the nature of conflict in the post-Cold War period.

Unit 4: International Relations

This unit focuses on the Asia-Pacific region and Australia's interaction with the international community. The Asia-Pacific Region unit specifically examines the concept of power and the way that states use power in their relations with each other as they pursue their national interest. The unit finishes with a study of Australian foreign policy that examines the nature of Australia's position in the region and the world.

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and evaluate types and forms of power used by states and groups in the Asia-Pacific region.

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse those factors that have influenced Australia in its definition and pursuit of national interest, and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies and policies adopted.

Assessment

Satisfactory Completion

Demonstrated achievement of the set of outcomes specified for the unit.

There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3. Students must undertake Unit 3 prior to undertaking Unit 4.

Levels of Achievement

Units 1 and 2

Individual school decision on levels of achievement.

Units 3 and 4

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will supervise the assessment of all students undertaking Units 3 and 4. In International Politics the student's level of achievement will be determined by school-assessed coursework and an end-of-year examination. Percentage contributions to the study score in International Politics are as follows:

Unit 3 school-assessed coursework: 25 per cent
Unit 4 school-assessed coursework: 25 per cent
End-of-year examination: 50 per cent.

Unit 3/4 Revolutions

Revolutions are the great disjuncture of modern times and share the common aim of breaking with the past by destroying the existing regimes and societies and embarking on a program of economic, social and political transformation. This process of dramatically accelerated charge has a profound impact on the country in which it occurs, as well as international repercussions. The study of a revolution should consider differing perspectives and the reasons why different groups have made different judgements of the history of the revolution.

Area of Study One

Revolutionary ideas, leaders, movements and events

American Revolution: 1763 - 1776

French Revolution: 1781 -1789

Russian Revolution: 1905 - 1917

Chinese Revolution: 1898 - 1949

Area of Study Two

Creating a new society

American Revolution: 1776 - 1789

French Revolution: 1789 - 1795

Russian Revolution: 1917 - 1924

Chinese Revolution: 1949 - 1976

NB: Only TWO of the aforementioned Revolutions can be selected, and they must be the SAME for both Areas of Study.

NB: The following four assessment tasks must be taken over Units 3/4:

Research Report
Analysis of visual and/or written documents
Historiographical exercise
Essay