SOSE
All students in Years 7-9 study SOSE as a full year subject. In Year 9 students study History for one semester and Geography for the other. In Year 10 students study Civics and Citizenship for both semesters and also must study either a History or Geography unit for one semester.
Courses are based on the CSF II with a growing focus on the following Victorian Essential Learning Standards Dimensions:
Geography
* Geographical knowledge and understanding
* Geospatial skills
History
* Historical knowledge and understanding
* Historical reasoning and interpretation
Economics
* Economic knowledge and understanding
* Historical reasoning and interpretation
Civics and Citizenship
* Civic knowledge and understanding
* Community engagement
Year 7
Students undertake a combined study of history and geography with some reference to economic effects on societies.
* History traces the early civilizations including Sumer, Egypt, Greece, Rome and the Indus Valley. Students also complete activities tracing their personal and local history.
* In Geography students examine their local environment, learn the features and uses of maps, and create their own ‘Treasure Island’.
* Skills include those of research, understanding primary and secondary sources of evidence, analysis and documentation. Fieldwork is undertaken at Schwerkholt cottage.
Year 8
Students undertake a combined study of history and geography with an increasing reference to economic effects on societies.
* History concentrates on medieval Europe, although a unit on medieval Japan may also be covered.
* Geography examines the environment around us and human impact on the environment. Topics include mapping and time zones, weather and its extremes, Antarctica, and Rainforests.
* Skills include those of research using a range of sources, understanding primary and secondary sources of evidence, analysis and documentation
History (One Semester)
The focus is on Australian History from Pre-European times to the end of the nineteenth century.
* Students study significant events in the growth of the Australian identity including first settlement, impact on indigenous peoples, penal servitude, the discovery of gold and the growth and expansion of industry.
* Fieldwork is undertaken, including to Sovereign Hill, to collect and analyse information and present findings in a research format.
Year 9 Geography (One Semester)
The focus is on people and their effect on the environment.
* Students study natural systems including landforms, forests, erosion, volcanic activity and earthquakes.
* Fieldwork is undertaken to the Forest Education Centre at Toolangi.
Year 9 Commerce
Students undertake the study of commerce for the full year Work encompasses such areas as the economy, work and leisure, and the legal sector.
* Students apply the ‘Real Game’ to financial management and to making the types of decisions made by adults in life and work.
* Students examine the Australian economy as it relates to banking and budgeting and to the role of the Victorian civil and Administrative tribunal.
* Small business operations are also covered.
Civics and Citizenship – Rights, Responsibilities and Rules
Semester One
Students study the legal system, and the people and processes involved in the system.
* A focus on key features of Australia’s political and law making structures, and how laws are changed
* Activities are undertaken related to students proposed work experience placements
* Fieldwork is undertaken through visits to State parliament.
Semester Two
Students look at the Criminal Justice System, and the role of the jury in this system. Students also participate in Work Experience placements and activities.
* Students discuss and examine key elements of the Criminal Justice System
* Students review employment, training and education pathways and discuss the factors that influence current and future work
* Fieldwork is undertaken through visits to the Magistrates court.
History and Geography
Students must study one semester of:
History – Federation to the Future
* Major forces and events that have shaped Australian society during the 20th century, including Federation, the Great War, the 1920’s, the Depression, WW2, and the Cold War.
* Fieldwork is undertaken at Point Nepean.
AND
Geography – Living in the Big City
* Examines the major forces that drive the growth of cities, their infrastructure, and the problems faced by growing cities.
Electives
Students may also select an additional history or geography elective.
Students may chose from the following studies:
* Accounting: Units1 – 4
* Business Management: Units1 – 4
* Geography: Units 1-4
* Twentieth Century History: Units 1-2
* History of Revolutions: Units 3-4
* Legal Studies: Units 1-4
