Human society and its environment

Junior School

In HSIE, both Geography and History are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10. Students learn specific historical and geographical concepts and skills in History and Geography. They also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects.

Junior Geography focuses on contemporary geographical challenges to Australia and the world; students will explore the interactions between humans and their environment. Topics include water scarcity, human wellbeing, migration, food security and landforms & landscapes. In History, Years 7 and 8 students will study ancient civilizations and medieval societies in Europe, South America and Asia. In Year 9 and 10 the pivotal events of the Twentieth Century, in Australia and across the world, are the focus.

A range of elective courses are offered in years 9 and 10, and they will contribute to their formal ROSA qualification.

Commerce

This course provides the knowledge, skills, understanding and values that allow people to make informed decisions about consumer, business, financial, economic, employment, legal and political issues. It looks at your consumer rights, how to run a business, the law and participating in our political system. The topics covered are Consumer and Financial Decisions; Law, Society and Political Involvement; Running a Business; The Economic and Business Environment; Employment and Work Futures; Law in Action and Travel OR Promoting and Selling OR Investing OR Towards Independence OR Our Economy.  

Global Explorations (Elective Geography)

Globe Ex emphasises the physical, social, cultural and political influences on people, places and environments. It aims to build a holistic understanding of the world. In this course, students investigate many areas of the world, both human and physical, and they learn to question why the world is the way it is. The wellbeing of societies and environments depends on the quality of interactions between people and the natural world. Topics are Oceanography; Physical and human variations within a continent; Geopolitics; Physical Geography; Global Citizenship OR Development Geography; and Investigating Asia OR Land use economics.

Myths and Mysteries (Elective History)

This elective gives students the opportunity to further develop their historical skills through ancient, medieval and modern topics and thematic studies. This course focuses on world history and the contribution of past societies to our understanding of the present. Students will complete a range of units which may include mythology, mysteries - such as the sinking of the Titanic, and Stonehenge. Students explore themes throughout history like crime and punishment or heroes and hooligans of the world. They explore how History is constructed through examining film, museums and archaeological sites.

Senior School

In senior school, students have a wide range of subjects to choose from, delivered by experienced teachers who are passionate about their subject. Subjects include:

Aboriginal Studies encourages students explore the structure, history, beliefs and religions of Aboriginal Australians. They will also explore issues impacting on these communities today and form comparisons and contrasts with other indigenous communities across the world, such as the Inuit of North America. This subject encourages strong relationships with the local indigenous community.

Ancient History, where students explore ancient societies, methods of warfare, major events, influential people and the archaeology of ancient sites. This course focuses on the development of Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Eastern civilizations. 

Business Studies allows students to be introduced to the theoretical and practical aspects of business and management through case studies.

Economics assists students to comprehend the background and implications of contemporary economic issues.

Extension History, a one-unit extension course which researches historiographical issues in the writing of history and current issues and debates impacting on interpretations of history today. Students will undertake their own independent research task on their own choice.

Senior Geography is a chance for students to investigate the opportunities for human activities; the constraints placed on them and their impact. 

Legal Studies is in which students develop and understand legal concepts and the way law functions in our society. Students learn through case studies and focus on crime, human rights, families and world order.

Modern History, where students will explore forces that influenced events of the Twentieth Century from imperialism, nationalism, militarism, socialism and the concept of power and authority. These ideas will be examined in case studies from Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia focusing on events that shapes the world we live in today.

Society and Culture introduces students to the disciplines of psychology, sociology and anthropology. The Personal Interest Project, worth 40% of the HSC, teaches students valuable research skills.

Studies of Religion is where students can explore the nature and impact of the major religions in our world today: Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism.