Social Sciences

As the subjects in this faculty fall in the category of Social Sciences, our basic aim is to endeavour to cultivate social awareness and attitudes which will render the child to be able to participate effectively and acceptably in society. Our courses are designed to develop the students' individuality and self-reliance by leading them to undertake research and study by and through their own initiatives.

The courses in this faculty are real; that is, they examine what is going on in the real world. Students are encouraged to express their own knowledge and views on contemporary problems and issues facing humanity.

Courses in Social Sciences

Stage 4 Geography

The aim of Geography is to stimulate students' enjoyment and interest in the interaction of the physical and human environments.

Students achieve this as they develop geographic knowledge of global environments appreciation of the intrinsic value of environments and knowledge of human and physical geography that enable them to exercise informed judgement.

List of topics for Year 7 (Four topics of 20 hours each topic):

• Topic 1 Landscapes and Landforms
• Topic 2 Values of Landscapes and Changing Landscapes
• Topic 3 Landscape Management and Protection
• Topic 4 Geomorphic Hazards
• Topic 5 Influences and Perceptions of place and liveability
• Topic 6 Access to Services and Facilities and Environmental Quality
• Topic 7 Community
• Topic 8 Enhancing Liveability

List of topics for Year 8 (Four topics of 20 hours each topic):

• Topic 1 The Water Cycle
• Topic 2 Water Resources
• Topic 3 Austalia’s Water Resources
• Topic 4 Water Scarcity and Water Management
• Topic 5 The Value of Water
• Topic 6 Natural Hazard
• Topic 7 Personal Connections
• Topic 8 Technology
• Topic 9 Trade
• Topic 10 Production and Consumption

Stage 5 Geography

Stage 5 Geography incorporates learning related to Australian Geography and the interaction of human and physical Geography in a local context. The study of Geography develops a wide range of skills as gathering, organising evaluating and communicating geographical information through fieldwork and a variety of sources. It enables students to critically assess the ideas and opinions of others and to form and express their own ideas and arguments. Through the study of geography students develop knowledge of the decision making processes that exist at a variety of levels. This enables them to develop responsible attitudes to contribute to a just society, ecological sustainability, valuing diversity and lifelong learning.

List of topics covered by Year 9:

• Topic 1 Biomes
• Topic 2 Changing Biomes
• Topic 3 Biomes Produce Food
• Topic 4 Challenges to food production
• Topic 5 Food security
• Topic 6 Causes and Consequences of Urbanisation
• Topic 7 Urban Settlement Patterns
• Topic 8 Internal Migration
• Topic 9 International Migration
• Topic 10 Australia’s Urban Future

List of topics covered by Year 10:

• Topic 1 Environments and Skills
• Topic 2 Environmental Change
• Topic 3 Environmental Management
• Topic 4 Investigative Study
• Topic 5 Human Wellbeing and Development
• Topic 6 Spatial Variations in Human Wellbeing
• Topic 7 Human Wellbeing in Australia
• Topic 8 Improving Human Wellbeing

Stage 5 Commerce

This course is an elective.

The study of Commerce guides students towards an understanding of Australia’s changing commercial environment. Students are made aware of the forces of change in information technology and increasing global commercial interdependence. Central to the course is the development of an understanding of the relationships between consumers, businesses, the legal framework and the role of government in the Australian economy.

Commerce allows for experiences that suit the interest and needs of all students promoting ethical behaviour and social responsibility and a commitment to contribute to a more just and equitable society.

List of topics covered by Year 9:

• Topic 1 Consumer and Financial Decisions
• Topic 2 Investing
• Topic 3 Employment and Work Futures
• Topic 4 Running a Business
• Topic 5 Towards Independence
• Topic 6 Travel

List of topics covered by Year 10:

• Topic 1 Law, Society and Political Involvement
• Topic 2 Law in Action
• Topic 3 The Economic and Business Environment
• Topic 4 Our Economy
• Topic 5 Promoting and Selling

Stage 6 Business Studies

Business Studies is a two year course initially covering the elements of

• Nature of business
• Business management
• Business planning

A compulsory assessment task in Year 11 investigates these areas. Key business support functions like operations, human resources, finance and marketing are investigated. Furthermore, Case Studies and current business practices are referenced throughout the course.

Stage 6 Economics

Economics is a two year course. The preliminary course is essentially microeconomics in nature, focusing on economic behaviour of consumers, business and governments. The HSC course focuses on the management of an economy and investigates the impact of the global economy on Australia. Economic decisions have a crucial influence on the quality of life experience by people throughout the world. Economics can help individuals and groups make choices that assist them to improve their quality of life.

Stage 6 Legal Studies

The Preliminary Course looks at the Legal System, the individual and the law in focus and law in practice. The HSC Legal studies course examines issues of law and justice and Human Rights. The focus study is Crime and the two options studies are Family and Consumers. The HSC exam includes multiple choice, short answers and extended response questions.

Stage 6 Geography

The preliminary geography course consists of understanding biophysical interactions and investigating global challenges. The Preliminary course also indicates an individual research task that each student conducts known as their senior Geography Project. The HSC course consists of invedtigating Ecosystems at risk, Urban Dynamic and people and economic activity. The course also includes many individual and group fieldwork studies and incorporates a variety of case studies.

Social Sciences Assessment

• Assessment is ongoing. Students are provided with opportunities in the contexts of every day classroom activities as well as planned assessment events to demonstrate their learning.
• Planned assessment is conducted across all classes and is set and marked commonly to all classes.
• Assessments are issued to determine student’s initial knowledge, understanding and skills, to monitor student progress and to collect information to report student achievement. The assessment cycle is continuous. Students receive and give feedback on what they have learnt, and what needs to be done to continue their learning
• Mid Year and End of Year Examinations are conducted for all Year 7 – 10 courses. Other forms of assessments are major assignments, research based work and class work, which includes homework and a persuasive writing as well.
• Internal assessment provides a measure of a student’s achievement based on a wider range of syllabus content and outcomes that may be covered by external examination alone.
• A variety of tasks are given to give students an opportunity to demonstrate outcomes in different ways and to improve the validity and reliability of the assessment. Some methods of assessments are oral presentations, research tasks, major projects, fieldwork, in class writing tasks. Mid Year and End of Year Examinations, Mid Course Examinations and End of Course Examinations  are also conducted as a NESA requirement.

Social Sciences Co-Curricular Activities

There are a number of social sciences co-curricular activites students can participate in such as:

• National Geographic Australian Geography Competition
• Business Studies and Economics Competitions
• ASX Competition
• Sefton Geographic Society
• Market Day

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