Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) in Kindergarten to Year 10

Board Developed Course

Course numbers:

• 410 Aboriginal Studies 200 hours
• 411 Aboriginal Studies 100 hours
• 415 Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 200 hours (commences 2021 for Year 9)
  
• 414 Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 100 hours (commences 2021 for Year 9 or Year 10)
  

Exclusions: Students may not access both the Aboriginal Studies Years 7–10 outcomes and content and the Aboriginal Studies Life Skills outcomes and content.

Course description

Aboriginal Studies provides students with opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal Peoples, histories, cultures and experiences. It is designed for all students and is of value to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

The Aboriginal Studies Years 7–10 course includes Life Skills outcomes and content for students with disability.

What students learn

Students learn about the diversity of Aboriginal Peoples’ identities, cultures and communities, which are interconnected with Country and spirituality. They learn about the dynamic nature of cultural expression, and the maintenance of Aboriginal identities and cultures. They also develop understanding of the importance of self-determination and autonomy for the ongoing contribution and success of Aboriginal Peoples and communities. Students study historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal Peoples, factors that influence non-Aboriginal peoples’ perceptions of Aboriginal Peoples and cultures, and the effects of these perceptions. They learn about the range of interactions and relationships between Aboriginal Peoples and non-Aboriginal people, and the continued roles of Aboriginal Peoples and communities locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Students develop understanding of community consultation protocols that enable them to engage respectfully and responsibly with their local Aboriginal community and other Aboriginal communities. They learn about the importance of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), and ethical research practices to gather, protect and interpret data. In their research, students develop skills in the use of a range of research techniques and technologies to locate, select, organise and communicate information and findings.

Through their study of core and option topics, case studies and research, students develop knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes that are of value to their personal, social, cultural, academic and professional development, and enable them to become active and informed advocates for a just and inclusive world.

Course requirements

Students may undertake 100 or 200 hours of study in Aboriginal Studies in Stage 4 and/or Stage 5.

Record of School Achievement

Satisfactory completion of 100 or 200 hours of study in Aboriginal Studies during Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) will be recorded with a grade on the student’s Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Students undertaking a course based on Life Skills outcomes and content are not allocated a grade.

Board Developed Course

Course numbers:

• 430 Commerce 200 hours
• 431 Commerce 100 hours
• 434 Commerce Life Skills 200 hours
• 433 Commerce Life Skills 100 hours

Exclusions: Students may not access both the Commerce Years 7–10 outcomes and content and the Commerce Life Skills outcomes and content.

Course description

Commerce enables young people to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes that form the foundation on which they can make sound decisions about consumer, financial, economic, business, legal, political and employment issues. It develops in students the ability to research information, apply problem-solving strategies and evaluate options in order to make informed and responsible decisions as individuals and as part of the community.

The Commerce Years 7–10 course includes Life Skills outcomes and content for students with disability.

What students learn

Students investigate the consumer, financial, economic, business, legal, political and employment world and are provided with the opportunity to develop their research, decision-making and problem-solving skills. Students develop an understanding of political and legal processes in order to become informed, responsible and active citizens. Commerce provides opportunities for students to develop the skills required to become responsible and independent individuals who can contribute to society.

Student learning in Commerce promotes critical thinking and the opportunity to participate in the community. Students learn to identify, research and evaluate options when solving problems and making decisions on matters relating to their consumer, financial, economic, business, legal, political and employment interactions. They develop research and communication skills, including the use of ICT, and the skills of working independently and collaboratively.

Course requirements

Students may undertake either 100 or 200 hours of study in Commerce in Stage 4 and/or Stage 5.

Record of School Achievement

Satisfactory completion of 100 or 200 hours of study in Commerce during Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) will be recorded with a grade on the student’s Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Students undertaking the Commerce course based on Life Skills outcomes and content are not allocated a grade.

Board Developed Course

Course numbers:

• 4015 Geography
• 4018 Geography Life Skills

Exclusions: Students may not access both the Geography Years 7–10 outcomes and content and the Geography Life Skills outcomes and content.

Course description (Years 7–10)

Geography develops in students an interest in and engagement with the world. Through geographical inquiry students will 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.

What students learn

Students learn how to undertake geographical inquiry and fieldwork to build and extend knowledge and understanding about people, places and environments. They propose explanations for significant patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies in geographical phenomena. Students learn to apply geographical concepts including place, space, environment, interconnection, scale, sustainability and change to identify questions and guide their investigations.

The study of Geography also provides opportunities for students to learn to use a wide range of geographical tools including maps, fieldwork, graphs and statistics, spatial technologies and visual representations.

Years 7–8

In Years 7–8, students will have the opportunity to explore geographical processes that influence the features of places and environments across a range of scales. They investigate how places are valued differently and interconnections within environments and between people, places and environments. Students learn about geographical phenomena, the liveability of places, and management strategies.

Years 9–10

In Years 9–10, students will have the opportunity to explain geographical processes that transform places and environments, and explain the likely consequences of these changes. They analyse interconnections between people, places and environments and propose explanations for distributions, patterns and spatial variations over time and across scales. Students investigate changing environments, global differences in human wellbeing, and strategies to address challenges now and in the future.

Course requirements

Fieldwork is an essential part of the study of Geography. All students must undertake fieldwork in Stage 4 and Stage 5.

Record of School Achievement

The mandatory curriculum requirements for eligibility for the award of the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) include that students:

• study the Board developed Geography syllabus substantially for each of Years 7–10, and
• complete 100 hours of Geography in Stage 4 and 100 hours of Geography in Stage 5.

Students who have met the mandatory study requirements for Years 7–10 Geography will receive a grade for Geography for the RoSA.

Students undertaking a course based on Life Skills outcomes and content are not allocated a grade.

Board Developed Course

Course numbers:

• 440 Geography Elective 200 hours
• 441 Geography Elective 100 hours
• 4022 Geography Elective Life Skills 200 hours
• 4021 Geography Elective Life Skills 100 hours

Exclusions: Students may not access both the Geography Elective Years 7–10 outcomes and content and the Geography Elective Life Skills outcomes and content.

Course description

Geography enables young people to develop an interest in and engagement with the world. Geography Elective provides opportunities to develop a broader understanding of the discipline of Geography, including physical, social, cultural, economic and political influences on people, places and environments, from local to global scales.

The Geography Elective Years 7–10 course includes Life Skills outcomes and content for students with disability.

What students learn

Geography Elective enables students to learn about the geographical processes that form and transform environments and communities. Contemporary geographical issues and events are explored, including the roles and responsibilities of individuals, groups and governments. Through geographical inquiry, students develop knowledge and understanding to become informed, responsible and active citizens.

Students have the opportunity to further their geographical understanding through investigation of the concepts of place, space, environment, interconnection, scale, sustainability and change. They engage with the geographical tools of maps, fieldwork, graphs and statistics, spatial technologies, and visual representations, in order to acquire, process and communicate geographical information.

Course requirements

Students may undertake either 100 or 200 hours of study in Geography Elective in Stage 4 and/or Stage 5. Across a 100-hour course or a 200-hour course students may study only ONE school-developed option.

100-hour course

Students undertaking the 100-hour course are required to complete a minimum of THREE topics.

200-hour course

Students undertaking the 200-hour course are required to complete a minimum of FIVE topics.

Topics

• Physical Geography
• Oceanography
• Primary Production
• Global Citizenship
• Australia's Neighbours
• Political Geography
• Interactions and Patterns along a Transcontinental Transect
• School-developed Option

Record of School Achievement

Satisfactory completion of 100 or 200 hours of study in Geography Elective during Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) will be recorded with a grade on the student’s Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Students undertaking the Geography Elective course based on Life Skills outcomes and content are not allocated a grade.

Board Developed Course

Course numbers:

• 4007 History
• 4008 History Life Skills

Exclusions: Students may not access both the History Years 7–10 outcomes and content and the History Life Skills outcomes and content.

Course description (Years 7–10)

History develops in students an interest in and enjoyment of exploring the past. A study of History provides opportunities for examining events, people and societies from ancient, medieval and modern times, including twentieth-century Australia. Opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of civics and citizenship are a feature throughout the History Years 7–10 syllabus.

The History Years 7–10 course includes Life Skills outcomes and content for students with disability.

What students learn

Students learn to apply the skills of investigating history, including analysing sources and evidence and sequencing major historical events to show an understanding of historical concepts including change and continuity, causation, contestability and significance. Students develop research and communication skills, and examine different perspectives to develop an empathetic understanding of a wide variety of viewpoints. Students also learn to construct logical historical arguments supported by relevant evidence and to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences and different purposes.

Years 7–8

In Years 7–8, students explore the nature of history, how historians investigate the past and the importance of conserving our heritage, including the heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Aspects of the ancient, medieval and early modern world are studied, including daily life, beliefs and values, law and religion. The nature of colonisation and contact history may also be investigated. One ancient Asian society is a mandatory study.

Years 9–10

In Years 9–10, students learn of significant developments in the making of the modern world and Australia. Mandatory studies include Australians at War (World Wars I and II) and Rights and Freedoms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Other topics may include the making of the Australian nation, the history of an Asian society, Australian social history and migration experiences.

Course requirements

All students must complete a site study in Stage 4 and in Stage 5.

Record of School Achievement

The mandatory curriculum requirements for eligibility for the award of the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) include that students:

• study the Board developed History syllabus substantially for each of Years 7–10, and
• complete 100 hours of History in Stage 4 and 100 hours of History in Stage 5.

Satisfactory completion of 100 hours of study in History during Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) will be recorded with a grade. Students undertaking the History course based on Life Skills outcomes and content are not allocated a grade.

Board Developed Course

Course numbers:

• 450 History Elective 200 hours
• 451 History Elective 100 hours
• 454 History Elective Life Skills 200 hours
• 453 History Elective Life Skills 100 hours

Exclusions: Students may not access both the History Elective Years 7–10 outcomes and content and the History Elective Life Skills outcomes and content.

Course description

History enables young people to develop an interest in and enjoyment of exploring the past. History Elective provides opportunities to develop a knowledge and understanding of past societies and historical periods.

The History Elective Years 7–10 course includes Life Skills outcomes and content for students with disability.

What students learn

Students explore the nature of history, heritage and archaeology and the methods that historians use to construct history through a range of thematic and historical studies. The construction of history is examined through options such as oral history, museum or archive studies, historical fiction, media, biography or film. Historical issues studied include the collection, display and reconstruction of the past, ethical issues of ownership, preservation and conservation of the past. Features of a range of ancient, medieval and modern societies are explored and students have the opportunity to study historical themes such as war and peace, crime and punishment, music through history, slavery and gender in history.

Students undertake processes of historical inquiry, including understanding and analysing sources and sequencing major historical events to show an understanding of continuity, change and causation. Students develop an understanding of historical concepts such as empathetic understanding, significance and contestability. They apply research and communication skills, including the use of ICT, and examine different perspectives and interpretations to develop an understanding of a wide variety of viewpoints. Students are provided with opportunities to construct a logical historical argument supported by relevant evidence and to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences.

Course requirements

Students may undertake either 100 or 200 hours of study in History Elective in Stage 4 and/or Stage 5.

The History Elective course consists of three topics which include a range of options for study.

100-hour course

A 100-hour course should be structured in the following way:

• ONE option from each of Topics 1, 2 and 3 must be studied

200-hour course

A 200-hour course should be structured in the following way:

• ONE option from each of Topics 1, 2 and 3 AND
• at least TWO other options from any of the topics.

Topics

• Topic 1: History, Heritage and Archaeology
• Topic 2: Ancient, Medieval and Modern Societies
• Topic 3: Thematic Studies

Topics may be integrated in teaching and learning programs.

Record of School Achievement

Satisfactory completion of 100 or 200 hours of study in History Elective during Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) will be recorded with a grade on the student’s Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Students undertaking the History Elective course based on Life Skills outcomes and content are not allocated a grade.

Content Endorsed Course

Course numbers:

• 500 Work Education 200 hours
• 501 Work Education 100 hours
• 504 Work Education Life Skills 200 hours
• 503 Work Education Life Skills 100 hours

Exclusions: Students may not access both the Work Education Years 7–10 outcomes and content and the Work Education Life Skills outcomes and content.

Course description

Work Education provides students with opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of the world of work, including its dynamic and diverse nature. Students prepare for the working world by developing an understanding of the roles of education, training and employment, and an appreciation of the role of lifelong learning in career development and managing transitions. They develop transferable work-related skills, including interpersonal skills and entrepreneurial behaviours.

The Work Education Years 7–10 course includes Life Skills outcomes and content for students with disability.

What students learn

Work Education provides opportunities for students to explore the nature of work and current workplace issues, including the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers, and workplace safety. The purpose and roles of education, employment and training organisations in planning and managing their own transitions are investigated. Students are encouraged to explain their personal goals, attributes and values to inform choices and career pathway plans.

Students develop skills, attributes and entrepreneurial behaviours for effective participation in work and society, including skills related to career development and managing transitions. They develop research and communication skills that relate to the world of work and have opportunities to use appropriate forms to communicate information for different audiences.

Work Education provides opportunities for community and work-based learning, enabling students to explore possible future work options and career pathways.

Course requirements

Students may undertake either 100 or 200 hours of study in Work Education in Stage 4 and/or Stage 5.

100-hour course

A 100-hour course may be structured in the following ways:

• THREE core study topics and a minimum of FOUR options
• FOUR or FIVE core study topics and a minimum of THREE options
• SIX core study topics and a minimum of TWO options.

200-hour course

A 200-hour course will comprise all SIX core study topics and a minimum of SIX options.

Record of School Achievement

Satisfactory completion of 100 or 200 hours of study in Work Education during Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) will be recorded with a grade on the student's Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Students undertaking the Work Education course based on Life Skills outcomes and content are not allocated a grade.