In Human Society and its Environment (HSIE), the subjects of History and Geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10, where students study specific historical and geographical concepts and skills.
Courses Offered
Years 7-10 Mandatory
- History
- Geography
Students also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects:
Years 9-12 Electives
- Commerce
- International Studies
- Ancient History
- Business Studies
- Legal Studies
- Modern History
- Society and Culture
- NEO: Media and Popular Culture Studies
A large number of individual subjects make up the key learning area of HSIE in which students:
- research, gather and analyse information.
- question and make judgements.
- write for a variety of purposes.
In Stages 4 and 5, HSIE is semesterised - History is taught in Semester 1 & Geography in Semester 2.
History and Geography Years 7-10
Geography
The aim of Geography in Years 7–10 is to stimulate students’ interest in and engagement with the world. Through geographical inquiry, they develop an understanding of the interactions between people, places and environments across a range of scales in order to become informed, responsible and active citizens.
Through the study of Geography in Stages 4 and 5, students develop the following:
Knowledge
- develop knowledge and understanding of the features and characteristics of places and environments across a range of scales.
- develop knowledge and understanding of interactions between people, places and environments.
Skills
- apply geographical tools for geographical inquiry.
- develop skills to acquire, process and communicate geographical information.
Values and Attitudes
- Geography as a study of interactions between people, places and environments.
- the dynamic nature of the world.
- the varying perspectives of people on geographical issues.
- the importance of sustainability and intercultural understanding.
- the role of being informed, responsible and active citizens.
History
The aim of History in Years 7-10 is to stimulate students’ interest in and enjoyment of exploring the past, and to develop a critical understanding of the past and its impact on the present, to develop the critical skills of historical inquiry and to enable students to participate as active, informed and responsible citizens.
Through the study of History in Stages 4 and 5, students develop the following:
Knowledge and Understanding
- develop knowledge and understanding of the nature of history and significant changes and developments from the past, the modern world and Australia.
- develop knowledge and understanding of ideas, movements, people and events that shaped past civilisations, the modern world and Australia.
- develop skills to undertake the process of historical inquiry.
- develop skills to communicate their understanding of history.
Values and Attitudes
- history as a study of human experience.
- the opportunity to develop a lifelong interest in and enthusiasm for history.
- the nature of history as reflecting differing perspectives and viewpoints.
- the opportunity to contribute to a democratic and socially just society through informed citizenship.
- the contribution of past and present peoples to our shared heritage.