Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)
Why study HSIE?
The human society and its environment department teaches a wide range of courses. The study of HSIE develops inquiry and critical thinking skills that enable students to engage with people, places and issues. This allows our students to explore the diversity of human society and the environment as well as origins, developments, consequences and possibilities for the future.
What opportunities will you get?
Students love the emphasis on field work, excursions and practical work involving collaborative learning. These are presented using multimedia as well as more traditional learning methods.
Learning is further enhanced through co-curricular opportunities which include excursions to:
· The Australian War Memorial in Canberra (studies in WWI)
· The Georges River Environmental Centre (studies in water testing of Georges River lake)
· Minnamurra Falls (studies of biomes)
· Parliament House in Canberra (studies in commerce)
· Career expo and work experience (studies in work education)
What will you study?
Students in years 7- 10 study the mandatory subjects of history and geography as well as having the option to study electives in years 9 and 10 including:
· Commerce
· work education
· history elective.
History (mandatory)
Year 7
· Investigating the Ancient Past (including Ancient Australia)
· The Mediterranean World – Rome
· The Asian World - China
Year 8
· The Western and Islamic World (Medieval Europe)
· The Asia Pacific World (The Polynesian Expansion across the world)
· Expanding contacts (Aboriginal and Indigenous Peoples, Colonisation and Contact
Year 9
· The Making of the Modern World - The Industrial Revolution
· Australia and Asia (making a nation)
· Australians at war (WWI, WWII)
Year 10
· Migration Experiences
· Rights and Freedoms
· School developed topic – The Vietnam War
· Senior study skills program
Geography (mandatory)
Year 7
· Landscapes and Landforms
· Place and Liveability
Year 8
· Water in the world
· Interconnections
Year 9
· Biomes
· Changing places
Year 10
· Environmental change ang management
· Wellbeing
Commerce (elective)
Years 9 and 10
Core:
· Consumer and financial decisions
· The economic and business environment
· Employment and work futures
· Law, society and political involvement
Options:
· Our economy
· Investing
· Promoting and selling
· Law in action
Work Education (elective)
Years 9 and 10
Core:
· What is work?
· Transitions and wellbeing
· Communication and collaboration
· Technology in the workplace
· Workplace safety
Options:
· Exploring post and school pathways
· Managing transitions
· Enterprise and entrepreneurial behaviour
· Preparation for the workplace
· Managing finances
· Workplace issues
· Community participation
Elective History (elective)
Years 9 and 10
· Ancient societies
· The Vikings
· The civil rights movement/ Black lives matter
· Key figures – Martin Luther King
· Thematic studies: heroes and villains, - key people in History – Napoleon, Ghandi,
· Constructing History – Film as History, comparing film adaptations, actual events in History
· Personal interest topics – World’s myths and legends
Years 11 and 12
The following subjects may be available to you to study in years 11 and 12. There are no prerequisites for studying these, but choosing electives from HSIE will help decide if you want to further your studies in:
· Economics
· Legal Studies
· Business Studies
· Ancient History
· Modern History
· Extension History (year 12)
· Geography
· Aboriginal studies.
More information
For more information, visit the NSW Educational Standards Authority page for HSIE.