Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS)

Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) is an exciting and challenging learning area. At Calwell High School, HaSS incorporates the disciplines of History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business Studies. It primarily involves the study of people, as social beings, as they interact with one another, with the natural and social environment, and in various places throughout time.
Subjects are studied as set out by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and in all subject areas, student critical thinking and inquiry skills are developed that can be used to build knowledge of the world around them.

Year 7

In semester 1, Year 7 students study the History Curriculum which covers The Ancient World (60 000 BCE to 650 CE). In semester two they study Civics & Citizenship, which covers the topics of Australia’s systems of government and law as well as the diversity of Australian society. They also undertake studies in Geography, exploring the concept of place and liveability and water as an environmental resource.

Year 8

In semester 1, Year 8 students study the History Curriculum which covers the Ancient to the Modern world (650 CE to 1750 CE). In semester 2 they study Business and Economics, focusing on understanding consumers, businesses and markets as well as exploring issues of people and work. They also undertake studies of Geography, focusing on investigating geomorphology through the study of landscapes and landforms, as well as exploring the changing human geography of countries around the world.

Year 9

In semester 1, year 9 students study the changes in the world marked by the Industrial Revolution and Colonisation. Students then explore the history of WW1 and its effect on society. In Semester 2 students undertake studies on geography, civics and citizenship.  They examine food security in the world and different biomes. Students develop critical thinking skills and learn to devise solutions to global issues.

Year  10

Year 10 students study the Modern World (1750 CE to present day). Units offered include, but are not limited to, Rights and Freedoms, Wars & Battles, Popular Culture and Societal Change. Each history unit is focused on building student capability across all the skills required to explore any aspect of history, from analysing and interpreting historical sources to building college-ready inquiry skills.
In Semester 2, year 10 students investigate society through the lenses of geography, civics and economics. Learning is a mixture of individual classwork and projects. Units include, but are not limited to, Society and Change, Ancient History, Big History, Workplace & Life Skills, Legal Studies, Business Studies, Environmental Change and Global Studies.

Curriculum Achievement Standards. Assessment items may include research/project work, tests, creative production, portfolios of work, oral presentations, group work, essays, film studies, reports, posters or source analysis.