Humanities

Humanities studies aim to foster an appreciation for the role of humans in the world in which we live.

The Humanities learning area aims to foster an appreciation of past and present societies, the natural environment and commercial systems within which we live. Studies in this area focus on developing knowledge of the historical, current and potential part people play in the environment, economy and society in general.  Subjects offered in this learning area include: Geography, History, Justice Money & Markets, Commerce, Business Management, Legal Studies, Accounting and Applied Humanities.

We have endeavoured to provide students with a holistic learning experience which extends beyond the walls of the classroom to the wider world which covers a range of social, environmental, political, legal and economic systems with consideration for the personal, local, national and global perspective. Studies in this area promote life-long learning and encourage students to develop key 21st century skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, research, analysis and communication skills, which will better enable them to be active, adaptable, respectful and informed citizens.

Subjects Offered in Humanities

The study of both Geography and History are compulsory at Years 7 & 8. The focus is on skill development. For Geography this is centred on the earth: its features and resources, and the interconnections between people and place. Our History focus is aimed at developing historical skills and knowledge of key people and events for a particular period from the past.

At Year 9 students have two compulsory areas of study: Geography and Economics, and History and Civics. The Geography and Economics continues to build on the geographical skills formed in the junior years and introduces the economy as a complex system used to allocate resources, its participants and Australia’s role in the global economy. Likewise the History and Civics builds on students’ historical knowledge and skills, while introducing Australia’s government, our role in peacekeeping and the UN.

Students at Year 9 also have the ability to select to study Justice, Money and Markets as an elective. This is a vibrant subject that is centred around the role of innovation and its influence on business success. Students explore the way the work and business environment is changing in contemporary Australia and globally, and the implications this has for current and future work and the work of entrepreneurs. They investigate the ways that enterprising behaviours and capabilities can be used and developed to improve the work and business environments.

As students move into Year 10 they can choose to study the following: Geography, History and Commerce. Geography and History continue to build on relevant skills and prepare students for the study of these subjects at VCE level. Commerce is designed to extend students’ knowledge and skills in the areas of economics, business and personal finance.

VCE subject currently offered include:

VCE Legal Studies examines the institutions and principles which are essential to Australia’s legal system. Students develop an understanding of the rule of law, law-makers, key legal institutions, rights protection in Australia, and the justice system. Through applying knowledge of legal concepts and principles to a range of actual and/or hypothetical scenarios, students develop their ability to use legal reasoning to argue a case for or against a party in a civil or criminal matter. They consider and evaluate recent and recommended reforms to the criminal and civil justice systems, and engage in an analysis of the extent to which our legal institutions are effective and our justice system achieves the principles of justice. For the purposes of this study, the principles of justice are fairness (fair legal processes are in place, and all parties receive a fair hearing); equality (all people treated equally before the law, with an equal opportunity to present their case); and access (understanding of legal rights and ability to pursue their case).

VCE Business Management examines the ways businesses manage resources to achieve objectives. The VCE Business Management study design follows the process from the first idea for a business concept, to planning and establishing a business, through to the day-to-day management of a business. It also considers changes that need to be made to ensure continued success of a business. Students develop an understanding of the complexity of the challenges facing decision makers in managing these resources. A range of management theories is considered and compared with management in practice through contemporary case studies drawn from the past four years. Students learn to propose and evaluate alternative strategies to contemporary challenges in establishing and maintaining a business.

VCE Accounting focuses on the financial recording, reporting and decision-making processes of a sole proprietor small business. Students study both theoretical and practical aspects of accounting. Financial data will be collected and recorded, and accounting information reported, using both manual and information and communications technology (ICT) methods. The preparation and presentation of financial statements is governed by Australian Accounting Standards and guided by the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements (AASB Framework).

VCE Economics is the study of how resources are allocated to meet the needs and wants of society. It attempts to explain how and why individuals behave the way they do and the consequences of their decision making. Studying Economics as a social science enables students to gain valuable insight into the economic problems that they may face on an individual basis and collectively as a society to meet the needs and wants of citizens, and may therefor assist them in making more informed and responsible decisions.

VCE History is a dynamic discipline that involves structured inquiry into the human actions, forces and conditions (social, political, economic, cultural, environmental and technological) that have shaped the past and present. To make meaning of the past, historians use historical sources, which include primary sources and historical interpretations. Historians analyse and evaluate evidence and use this when constructing historical arguments. As historians ask new questions, revise interpretations, or discover new sources, fresh understandings about the past come to light.
Although history deals with the particular – specific individuals and key events – the potential scope of historical enquiry is vast and formed by the questions that historians pursue, the availability of historical sources, and the capacity of historians to interpret those sources. VCE History reflects this by enabling students to explore a variety of eras and periods, events, people, places and ideas.
Ancient History investigates individuals and societies (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and China) across three millennia. Empires explores the ideas and power relations accompanying the growth of empires in the early modern period. Modern History examines the causes and consequences of conflict and change from pre-colonial times to the modern day. Revolutions explores the causes and consequences of significant social upheaval (America, France, Russia and China) in the modern period.

* All information regarding VCE subjects has been taken from the VCAA webpage, September 2017.