Humanities & English
In recognition of the future direction in education, we recently combined our English and the Society & Environment programs under the ‘Humanities’ banner.
This exciting initiative addresses the needs of the Australian Curriculum, enabling rich cross-curricular tasks embedded in programs to enhance the learning and understanding of our students.
We organise opportunities that deliver enriching learning experiences to acknowledge not only the role of language in communicating to the world around us, but also focus on skills development to prepare our students to be successful in future employment and education.
ENGLISH
Proficiency in English is the key to successful communication, the medium for creative and imaginative thinkers and the doorway to future employment and career pathways. The study of English also helps young people in becoming ethical, thoughtful and active members of our society. We deliver a diverse curriculum to students in Years 7 – 12, preparing students for the workplace, TAFE and university. The individual needs of students are a priority so literacy support and individual education programs, as well as extension classes, are in place. Teaching staff continuously review the programs and undertake professional development to enhance student performance.
The contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made to contemporary texts is also acknowledged and supports Australian Curriculum initiatives, contributing to a rich and varied experience in our English classrooms. Multimodal text production and delivery is another feature of the English curriculum at the College. A range of technologies support students to communicate their ideas in the language of the digital age.
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Through Humanities and Social Sciences, students learn to understand how individuals and groups in society interact with each other and their environment. A respect for culture, social justice, a commitment to heritage and an understanding of the significance of sustainability are key focus areas.
These areas are also the perfect platform for cross-curricular initiatives linked to the Australian Curriculum; an opportunity which has been embraced by our Humanities and Social Sciences team members. Our Senior School curriculum includes ATAR pathway courses in Modern History, Geography and Economics. These courses provide students with the capacity to make real connections to the world in which we live:
Modern History
Modern History not only allows students to associate who we are as a society and the events that have shaped our identity, but also equips students with transferable skills in enquiry, analysis and interpretation of information sources.
Geography
Geography allows students to develop a range of skills to observe and explain places and aspects of the Earth’s surface. Importantly, the course also equips students with the capacity to not only interpret the past but interrogate the aspects of our present interactions with our environment which may contribute to strategies for a sustainable future.
Economics
Economics provides students with the ability to make connections between our economy and the rest of the world, and study the impacts of globalisation and economic policy and management.
ATAR GEOGRAPHY (YEAR 11)
Code:
AEGEO (A1GEO, A2GEO)
External Exam:
Yes in year 12
Pathway:
Year 11 – A1GEO, A2GEO / Year 12 – A3GEO, A4GEO
Pre-requisites:
A or B grade in Year 10 Science
Other Information:
This course requires a considerable work ethic and commitment to homework. History enables students to develop time management, locating, gathering, organizational, synthesizing, analysing and written and verbal communication skills. These skills lead to independent learning that is necessary for students to be successful at tertiary study and are sought after by employers.
Content:
Unit 1 – G1GEO
Natural and ecological hazards. In this unit, students explore the management of hazards and the risk they pose to people and environments. Risk management is defined in terms of preparedness, mitigation and/or prevention.
Unit 2 – G2GEO
Global networks and interconnections. In this unit, students explore the economic and cultural transformations taking place in the world
– the spatial outcomes of these processes and their social and geopolitical consequences
– that will enable them to better understand the dynamic nature of the world in which they live.
ATAR GEOGRAPHY (YEAR 12)
Code:
ATGEO (A3GEO, A4GEO)
External Exam:
Yes
Pathway:
Year 11 – A1GEO, A2GEO / Year 12 – A3GEO, A4GEO
Pre-requisites:
C grade or above in Year 11 Geography
Other Information:
Content:
Unit 3 – A3GEO
This unit focuses on the changing biophysical cover of the Earth’s surface, the creation of anthropogenic biomes and the resulting impacts on either global climate or biodiversity. Land cover transformations have changed both global climate and biodiversity through their interaction with atmospheric and ecological systems. Conversely, climate change and loss of biodiversity are producing further transformations in land cover. Through applying the concept of sustainability, students are given the opportunity to examine and evaluate a program designed to address the negative effect of land cover change. Aspects of physical, environmental and human geography provide students with an integrated and comprehensive understanding of the processes related to land cover change, their local, regional and global environmental consequences, and possible sustainable solutions.
Unit 4 – A4GEO
Challenges exist in designing urban places to render them more productive, vibrant and sustainable. How people respond to these challenges, individually and collectively, will influence the sustainability and liveability of places into the future. While all places are subject to changes produced by economic, demographic, social, political and environmental processes, the outcomes of these processes vary depending on local responses, adaptations and planning practices.
ATAR MODERN HISTORY (YEAR 11)
Code:
AEHIM (A1HIM , A2HIM)
External Exam:
Yes in year 12
Pathway:
Year 11 – A1HIM, A2HIM / Year 12 – A3HIM, A4HIM
Pre-requisites:
A or B grade in Year 10
Other Information:
The Modern History ATAR course enables students to study the forces that have shaped today’s world and provides them with a broader and deeper comprehension of the world in which they live. While the focus is on the 20th century, the course refers back to formative changes from the late 18th century onwards and encourages students to make connections with the changing world of the 21st century.
Content:
Unit 1- A1HIM | Context: Capitalism – The American Experience
This unit examines developments of significance in the modern era, including the ideas that inspired them and their far-reaching consequences. Students examine one development or turning point that has helped to define the modern world. Students explore crucial changes, for example, the application of reason to human affairs; the transformation of production, capitalism and consumption, transport and communications; the challenge to social hierarchy and hereditary privilege, and the assertion of inalienable rights; and the new principles of government by consent. Through their studies, students explore the nature of the sources for the study of modern history and build their skills in historical method through inquiry. The key conceptual understandings covered in this unit are: what makes an historical development significant; the changing nature and usefulness of sources; the changing representations and interpretations of the past; and the historical legacy of these developments for the Western world and beyond.
Unit 2 – A2HIM | Context: Nazism in Germany
This unit examines significant movements for change in the 20th century that led to change in society, including people’s attitudes and circumstances. These movements draw on the major ideas described in Unit 1, have been connected with democratic political systems, and have been subject to political debate. Through a detailed examination of one major 20th century movement, students investigate the ways in which individuals, groups and institutions have challenged existing political structures, accepted social organisation, and prevailing economic models, to transform societies. The key conceptual understandings covered in this unit are: the factors leading to the development of movements; the methods adopted to achieve effective change; the changing nature of these movements; and changing perspectives of the value of these movements and how their significance is interpreted.
GENERAL POLITICS AND LAW (YEAR 11)
Code:
GEPAL (G1PAL,G2PAL)
External Exam:
No
Pathway:
Year 11 – G1PAL, G2PAL / Year 12 – GTPAL (G3PAL, G4PAL)
Pre-requisites:
Nil
Other Information:
Content:
Unit 1 – G1PAL
Political and Legal Decision Making
This unit examines the similarities and differences between democratic and non-democratic systems of government; how laws are made and enforced in Australia compared to one other political and legal system; and the means of participation by individuals and groups in Australia and an alternative political and legal system.
Unit 2 G2PAL
Civil and Political Rights
This unit examines the mechanisms for dispute resolution in Western Australia; the development of human rights over time; the protection of civil and political rights in Australia and one other country/system; and how individuals and groups may participate to effect change to political and legal decisions.
GENERAL POLITICS AND LAW (YEAR 12)
Code:
GTPAL (G3PAL, G4PAL)
External Exam:
A common assessment task will be delivered in semester one of year 12, under examination conditions that will contribute to the marks in this course.
Pathway:
Year 11 – G1PAL, G2PAL / Year 12 – GTPAL (G3PAL, G4PAL)
Pre-requisites:
Nil
Other Information:
Content:
Unit 3 – G3PAL
Democracy and The Rule of Law
This unit critically examines Australia’s democratic and common law systems; a non-democratic system; and a non- common law system.
Unit 4 – G4PAL
Representation and Justice
This unit critically examines representation, electoral and voting systems in Australia; justice in the Western Australian adversarial system and a non-common law system.