Cowra High School logo

Cowra High School

Cowra High School

Knowledge is Power

Telephone6342 1766

Emailcowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Human society and its environment

HSIE

Years 7-10

HSIE is mandatory for all students from Year 7 to Year 10.

Human Society and its Environment is the study of how humans interact with the world, how society operates and how it is changing. Through the study of HSIE, students develop the skills to prepare them to actively and responsibly participate as informed citizens in the contemporary world.

Years 7-8

Geography

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.

History

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.

Years 9-10

Students can select from a range of board developed courses, including:

Geography

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.

History

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.

Aboriginal Studies

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.

Commerce

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.

Geography Elective

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.

History Elective

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.

Course requirements

Years 7-8:        

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

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

Years 9-10:

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

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

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

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

Geography Elective - 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.

History Elective - 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.

Years 11 and 12

Human Society and its Environment is the study of how humans interact with the world, how society operates and how it is changing. Through the study of HSIE, students develop the skills to prepare them to actively and responsibly participate as informed citizens in the contemporary world.

Students can select from a range of board developed courses, including:

Aboriginal Studies

The Year 11 course focuses on Aboriginal Peoples' relationship to the Land, Aboriginal heritage and identity, and an historical examination of colonialism, racism and prejudice from pre-contact times to the 1960s. The course also includes the development of skills in culturally appropriate research and inquiry methods. It involves case studies.

The HSC course provides for in-depth study of legislation, policy, judicial processes and current events from the 1960s. During the course, students undertake consultation with Aboriginal communities and study the course through the experiences of national and international Indigenous communities. Students apply research and inquiry methods through the completion of a major project.

Ancient History

The Year 11 course provides students with opportunities to develop and apply their understanding of methods and issues involved in the investigation of the ancient past. Students have the opportunity to engage in the study of a range of features, people, places, events and developments of the ancient world.

The Year 12 course provides students with opportunities to apply their understanding of archaeological and written sources and relevant issues in the investigation of the ancient past. Through a core study, students investigate the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and explore issues relating to reconstruction and conservation of the past. They also study the key features and sources of an ancient society, personality and historical period.

Business Studies

Business activity is a feature of everyone's life. The Business Studies syllabus encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of business in ways students encounter throughout their lives. It offers learning from the planning of a small business to the management of operations, marketing, finance and human resource in large businesses.

Contemporary business issues and case studies are embedded in the course to provide a stimulating and relevant framework for students to apply to problems encountered in the business environment. Business Studies fosters intellectual, social and moral development by assisting students to think critically about the role of business and its ethical responsibilities to society.

Economics

Economics provides understanding for students about many aspects of the economy and its operation that are frequently reported in the media. It investigates issues such as why unemployment or inflation rates change and how these changes affect individuals in society. Economics develops students' knowledge and understanding of the operation of the global and Australian economy. It develops the analytical, problem-solving and communication skills of students. There is a strong emphasis on the problems and issues in a contemporary Australian economic context within the course.

Geography

The Year 11 course investigates biophysical and human geography and develops students' knowledge and understanding about the spatial and ecological dimensions of geography. Enquiry methodologies are used to investigate the unique characteristics of our world through fieldwork, geographical skills and the study of contemporary geographical issues.

The HSC course enables students to appreciate geographical perspectives about the contemporary world. There are specific studies about biophysical and human processes, interactions and trends. Fieldwork and a variety of case studies combine with an assessment of the geographers' contribution to understanding our environment and demonstrates the relevance of geographical study.

History Extension

History Extension provides students with opportunities to examine the way history is constructed and the role of historians. Students investigate the nature of history and changing approaches to its construction through sampling the works of various writers, historians and others involved in the practice of history. Students apply their understanding to undertake an individual investigative project, focusing on an area of changing historical interpretation.

Legal Studies

The Year 11 course develops students' knowledge and understanding of the nature and functions of law and law-making, the development of Australian and international legal systems, the Australian constitution and law reform. It examines an individual's rights and responsibilities, how disputes are resolved and examines a contemporary issue concerning the individual and technology. Students have the opportunity to investigate issues that illustrate how the law operates in practice. This is achieved by investigating, analysing and synthesising legal information and investigating legal issues from a variety of perspectives.

The HSC course investigates the key areas of law, justice and human rights through a variety of focus studies, which consider how changes in societies influence law reform.

Modern History

The Year 11 course provides students with opportunities to develop and apply their understanding of methods and issues involved in the investigation of modern history. Students have the opportunity to engage in the study of a range of people, ideas, movements, events and developments that have shaped the modern world.

The Year 12 course provides students with opportunities to apply their understanding of sources and relevant issues in the investigation of the modern world. Through a core study, students investigate the nature of power and authority from 1919 to 1946. They also study key features in the history of one nation, one study in peace and conflict, and one study of change in the modern world.

Society and Culture

Society and Culture develops social and cultural literacy and a clear understanding of the interactions of persons, society, culture, environment and time, and how these shape human behaviour. The course draws on cross-disciplinary concepts and social research methods, and students undertake research in an area of particular interest to them. The research findings are presented for external assessment in the Personal Interest Project (PIP).

Course requirements

Years 11-12:

Aboriginal Studies - In both courses, students must undertake mandatory case studies. The project log will document all work completed, including the sequential development of the project and the nature and timing of community-based fieldwork.

Ancient History - In the Year 11 course, students undertake at least TWO case studies.

One must be from Egypt, Greece, Rome or Celtic Europe, and

One must be from Australia, Asia, the Near East or the Americas.

                            - The Year 12 course requires study from at least TWO of the following areas:

       Egypt, Near East, China, Greece, Rome

Business Studies - See the Business Studies Stage 6 syllabus for information regarding course requirements.

Economics - See the Economics Stage 6 syllabus for information regarding course requirements.

Geography - Students complete a Senior Geography Project (SGP) in the Preliminary course and should undertake 12 hours of fieldwork in both the Preliminary and HSC courses.

History Extension - The course requires students to undertake:

one case study - the development of one History Project.

Legal Studies - See the Legal Studies Stage 6 syllabus for information regarding course requirements.

Modern History - In the Year 11 course, students undertake at least TWO case studies.

One case study must be from Europe, North America or Australia, AND

One case study must be from Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East or Central/South America.

Students are required to study at least one non-European/non-Western topic from a set list of topics provided within the syllabus.

Society and Culture - Completion of the Personal Interest Project.