Wagga Wagga High School

Learning together for the future.

Telephone02 6925 3611

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

Social Science@WWHS

Year 7/8

Geography (Mandatory)

Geography is about the world and how people live and work. The Year 7/8 Geography course enables students to enjoy and take an interest in their world. Students achieve this as they develop geographic knowledge, understanding, skills and values, and become informed and active citizens.

In Year 8, students look into issues such as poverty and wealth, threatened habitats, human rights and access to fresh water. Local field studies include the Botanic Gardens, climbing The Rock and a visit to the Riverina Environmental Education Centre.

Assessment is based on class tasks, research and field study reports.

Commerce (Elective)

Commerce gives students the knowledge to make more informed decisions in everyday life. It deals with people and how they make decisions about money, being consumers, being in business and using the law.  It will help students to make informed decisions and to understand issues such as how a business work, travelling abroad, voting in elections (compulsory for all Australians), legal rights and money matters.  This course will give students an excellent overview of businesses, and more importantly, instil in them, sound money and life management skills.

Excursions will include visits to local businesses, the court house and banks.

Year 9/10

Geography (Mandatory)

Geography is about the world and how people live and work. The Year 9/10 Geography course allows students to enjoy and take an interest in their world and its future management. They achieve this as they develop geographic knowledge, understanding, skills and values, and become informed and active citizens.

Year 9 Topics:
The unique features of the Australian environment, natural disasters in Australia, the changing nature of Australia's population and how people live, types of Australian communities and things that cause them to change.

Year 10 Topics:

Current issues in the Australian environment, management for future generations, Australia and its role in world affairs such as human rights, tourism, defence and trade. Local field studies allow students to collect information about issues such as urban salinity, water management, growth and changes in towns and give them the knowledge and skills to take action as active and informed citizens.

Senior Studies:

Geography provides an excellent preparation for aspects of HSC courses, such as Geography, Legal Studies (Environmental Law), Business Studies (Global Business) and Society and Culture.
Careers: Geographers go into careers such as architecture, town planning, environmental science, park rangers, marine science, teaching, tourism, social work, international relations and overseas aid.

Commerce (Elective)

Commerce gives students the knowledge to make more informed decisions in everyday life. It deals with people and how they make decisions about money, being consumers, being in business and using the law.

Topics:

  • Consumer choice - learn to avoid the traps
  • Personal finance - budgeting
  • Employment issues – rights and responsibilities at work
  • Law and society – how the law works for everyone
  • Investing and making money – share market game
  • Travel – getting the most for your money
  • Government and politics – being informed voters
  • Running a business – developing a hypothetical business
  • Becoming independent – it is cheaper to live at home
  • Our Economy – how interest rates, inflation and unemployment is controlled

Senior Studies:

Commerce provides an excellent preparation for aspects of HSC courses, such as Economics, Business Studies, Legal Studies, and Business Services (VET).

Careers:

Commerce is an excellent start towards careers in business management, marketing, accountancy, human resources, investors, stock broking, banking, financial advising, law, tourism, politics, overseas work and travel, real estate, economics

Year 11/12

Business Studies

Prerequisites:

Students should have an interest in developing strategies for successful business operation. There are no formal prerequisites for this course. Commerce is not a prerequisite although topics studied in Years 9/10 are related to Business Studies.

Course Description:

In the Preliminary year Business Studies investigates the role, operation and management of business in society. Students learn about planning, establishing and operating any small business for success in the Australian business environment.

In the HSC year, students learn about business management and managing change. The course covers financial interpretation, marketing and employment relations in the Australian and global business environment. It provides the basis for many career paths relating to corporate and small business.

The Preliminary year investigates:

  • the role, operation and management of business within society
  • issues and steps in establishing and maintaining a business
  • the role and importance of planning for success in business
  • successful businesses through industry visits and guest speakers

The HSC year investigates:

  • the nature and responsibilities of management
  • financial management for success in business
  • the nature and role of marketing in business
  • the nature of effective employment relations in business
  • the impact of global business on Australian businesses

Course Requirements:

During the Preliminary course students will investigate the operation of a small business or plan for the establishment of a small business as a research project.

In the HSC course students research Qantas Ltd as a major case study through all topics of the course and need to keep up to date with business developments through the media.
Assessment Procedures

Students develop research, independent learning skills, analytical and problem solving competencies through ongoing assessment for learning. Assessment tasks include the writing of business reports, researching case studies, writing business and marketing plans and financial analysis making up 50% of internal assessment. Tests and internal examinations make up the other 50%.

Economics

Prerequisites:

There are no formal prerequisites for this course. Economics provides fundamental concepts for business related courses at tertiary level. Commerce is not a prerequisite although topics studied in Years 9/10 are related to Economics.

Course Description:

In the Preliminary year Economics investigates how the Australian economy operates where consumers such as students and employees can actually influence decisions of the Government, business and financial institutions. Students will learn how the government helps to improve Australia as a place to live, work, invest and play. Economics also provides some background to international politics and business practice.

In the HSC year, students learn about Australia's place in international trade and finance, and how the government deals with issues such as unemployment, inflation and wealth creation. It provides the basis for many careers which require an understanding of how Australia is managed to be competitive with the rest of the world.

The Preliminary year investigates:

  • the importance of consumers and business in the Australian economy
  • how consumers actually determine what is produced and the price of products
  • the labour market and future employment prospects
  • finance for the Australian economy and investing in the share market
  • the role of  the government in improving the economy for all Australian

The HSC year investigates:

  • the impact of globalisation on the Australian economy
  • Australia's trade and finance in the global economy
  • current issues such as unemployment and inflation
  • policies to effectively manage the Australian economy

Course Requirements:

In both the Preliminary and HSC years students will need to keep up to date with economic developments within Australia and in the global economy through various media such as newspapers, radio, television, internet and journals.

Assessment Procedures:

Students develop research, independent learning skills, analytical and problem solving competencies through ongoing assessment for learning. Assessment tasks include research and investigation through the media and writing extended responses, making up 50% of internal assessment. Tests and internal examinations make up the other 50%.

Geography

Prerequisites:

The completion of Geography in Years 9/10 provides knowledge and skills to investigate interesting studies of people in the world environment in senior Geography. Students work individually and in teams to investigate environments and communities both within and outside the local area through practical and hands on field studies.

Course Description:

In the Preliminary year Geography studies the variety of the world's physical environments and how people adapt to develop their communities. Students investigate the unique characteristics of the world through visiting relevant field sites to collect data, using geographical skills and investigating current issues through various media.

In the HSC year, students study ecosystems at risk, cities and how people earn a living in a specific environment using field studies to consolidate learning. Geography provides the basis for careers in environmental planning and management, oceanography, ecotourism, international affairs, town planning and computerised geographic information systems.

The Preliminary year investigates:

  • geographical processes shaping the land
  • challenges facing the global community in sustainable environmental management
  • a study of the student's own choosing

The HSC year investigates:

  • management and protection of alpine ecosystems, Mt Kosciuszko National Park
  • cities and urban change, study of Sydney
  • viticulture (wine production) at local and global scale

Course Requirements:

In the Preliminary year students will complete a Senior Geography Project in a topic of their interest. They undertake 10 hours of field study to be completed locally.

In the HSC year students are required to undertake field studies starting with a 3 day excursion to the Mt Kosciuszko National Park in December, costing about $200 for all travel, accommodation, meals and entry fees. A field study of Sydney will occur at the end of term 2, costing a train ticket, 1 or 2 night's accommodation and meals. A local field study will be to Bidgeebong Wines, Wagga Wagga.

Assessment Procedures:
Students develop research, independent learning, geographical and fieldwork skills through ongoing assessment for learning. Assessment tasks include oral and written geographic reports, research case studies and interpretation of geographical data making up 50% of internal assessment. Tests and internal examinations make up the other 50%.

Legal Studies

Prerequisites:

Students should have an interest in knowing how the law affects individuals and society in everyday life and how it aims to provide justice and fairness to all people. They should want to learn to be informed decision makers in Australian society. Commerce is not a prerequisite although topics studied in Years 9/10 are related to Legal Studies.


Course Description:

In the Preliminary year students investigate the need for laws and how they are made. Studies include the Australian and international legal systems and how law helps young people, women, Aboriginals or migrants. Students will be able to participate in the Rotary sponsored Model United Nations Assembly and qualify for the state program in Canberra.

In the HSC year students investigate law, justice and human rights in criminal law and family law. Other areas of study can include law for consumers, in the workplace and in international conflict. Apart from entering the legal profession, legal issues are an important aspect of the police force, business, management, sports and foreign affairs.


The Preliminary year investigates:

  • how laws are made in parliament and the courts
  • the way in which the law affects individuals
  • disadvantaged groups and the law in achieving justice

The HSC year investigates:

  • crime in society, causes, the criminal trial, effective punishment, prevention, cases
  • human rights issues and the effectiveness of the law in Australia and overseas
  • the legal rights family in marriage, having children, domestic crises and divorce
  • legal rights in one area of choice from consumers, workplace, shelter or world order 

Course Requirements:

In the Preliminary year students will research and write a report on one of the following: women, migrants, Aboriginals, young people, disabled or group disadvantaged by the law. There will be opportunities to observe the operation of one or more courts in civil and criminal cases.
In the HSC year students will access legal professionals as relevant to areas of study. Students are expected to use the media to collect information on relevant legal issues and updates on changes in law. There will be opportunities to access information directly from facilities/institutions such as:  Long Bay Gaol, State Parliament, Quarantine Station, Downing Centre and the Jewish Museum
Assessment Procedures

Students develop research, independent learning skills, analytical and problem solving competencies through ongoing assessment for learning. Assessment tasks include oral and written reports on legal issues and cases making up 50% of internal assessment. Tests and internal examinations make up the other 50%.

Society and Culture

Prerequisites:

Students should have an interest in studying human behaviour, as individuals and as groups in Australian society and in other cultures. Students need to be prepared to combine personal experience with knowledge from research to learn and better understand their own behaviour and that of people around them.

Course Description:

In the Preliminary year Society and Culture investigates the behaviour of individuals and groups in society. Students learn about their own cultural identity as adolescents, other cultures and how human behaviour develops.

In the HSC year, students learn about society, culture and change in a selected country and two studies from popular culture, belief systems, equality and difference or work and leisure. Students research a topic of personal interest in understanding human behaviour.

The Preliminary year investigates:

  • the interaction between society and cultures
  • adolescence in a variety of social and culture settings
  • how people in different cultures interact and communicate

The HSC year investigates:

  • how and why change occurs, and why sometimes it does not in a specific country
  • the study of rock and roll music from 1950 to the present, work and leisure
  • a research topic of personal interest selected by the student

Course Requirements:
In the Preliminary year students will complete studies to investigate society, cultures and personal identity to develop an understanding of research methods.

In the HSC year students select an area of interest and relevance to them to research and present findings for external assessment.

Assessment Procedures:

Students develop research, independent learning, analytical and problem solving through ongoing assessment for learning. Tasks include research studies and oral and written presentations, tests and internal examinations. The Personal Interest Project (PIP) is worth 40% of external assessment, and the HSC examination makes up the other 60%.